The Norridge Salvation Army will review its roll call procedures and require staff to undergo additional training after a recent incident in which a boy was mistakenly left behind on a day camp field trip, a Salvation Army spokeswoman said in an email.
The spokeswoman, Melanie Scofield, confirmed that camp director Jeff Rowland, the employee who drove back to the Hanover Park water park to pick up 7-year-old Peter Rapatas after the camp’s staff realized he was left behind, remains in charge of the program.
Peter’s mother, Gina Rapatas, in a police report said that Rowland was the camp counselor who did not respond to pleas from her 9-year-old daughter to hold the bus for her brother before it departed back to camp headquarters in Norridge without him.
The organization is tightening its camp safety procedures to avoid a similar incident in the future, Scofield said in an email. Roll call procedures during field trips are being reviewed, and the camp is requiring staff to undergo additional training, she added.
“The Salvation Army Norridge Corps has been working with the leadership of The Salvation Army to take several steps to ensure that this remains an isolated incident,” Scofield said in an email. “The Salvation Army is also awaiting recommendations from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services if there are any further precautions that they recommend be taken.”
Gina Rapatas had said she wanted to see the camp director fired over the incident.
Gina and Peter Rapatas recently were at the Island in the City festival in Norridge, during which Peter wore a blue GPS device on his wrist. Gina Rapatas said her daughter also has been wearing a GPS tracking watch.
“It’s for peace of mind,” Gina Rapatas said.
Regarding the day camp incident, Gina Rapatas had said she was on her way to the camp to pick up her kids from the field trip when her son called her on her cellphone to tell her he had been left behind at the water park and was waiting with a lifeguard.
“Anything could have happened,” Gina Rapatas said.
Gina Rapatas said she had heard from other residents about the incident.
“The whole community has come together, and everyone has been very supportive,” she said. “It helps to remind other parents that kids should know their phone numbers.”
Natalie Hayes is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. Karie Angell Luc is a freelance photographer and reporter for Pioneer Press.