KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Four summer campers with the Friends of Alvin Ailey were sent to the hospital Friday morning after an outdoor field trip.
The kids were on a walking tour of the Quindaro Ruins, Museum and Cemetery.
The KCK Fire Chief says they weren't used to the trail that winds through the ruins or the heat. But even more importantly, he says they weren't drinking enough water.
In fact, the Executive Director of the camp Tyrone Aiken admits not everyone had water on hand during the walk. He told campers to bring their own but not everyone listened. He said he set up water stations at other points during the field trip but not on the walking trail.
Symone Watson wasn't treated but she says she felt sick.
"I was upset, I was angry, everybody needed water," she said.
Aiken says if he had to do it all over again, he wouldn't cancel the trip. But he would change a few things.
"I think the one take away is we will insist they take water with them," he said.
Aiken also plans to stay on top of kids with medical problems, like asthma. One of the dancers who got sick Friday didn't have an inhaler.
Doctors say people with asthma have a harder time dealing with the heat and should stay out of it as much as possible.
"Heat is a trigger, just like cold. Any kid with asthma should pay attention to the weather," said Dr. Beth Pitts with the University of Kansas Hospital.
Duke says this serves as an important reminder that during an Excessive Heat Warning, you should try to stay inside as much as possible and not take part in any unnecessary physical activity outdoors.
The
Excessive Heat Warning in the area remains in effect through Saturday.
