WAHIAWA — Until recently, 9-year-old Alec Trepte might have thought "disaster preparedness" meant keeping fresh batteries in his CD player.

A special weeklong disaster preparedness training course, however, has given Alec and 20 other kids attending Ho'ala School's summer Camp Kokua a perspective on what to do when emergencies occur.

Jeff Spencer, O'ahu Civil Defense's Community Emergency Response Team coordinator, scaled down the normal 25-hour adult disaster preparedness course to create a 15-hour session for the children.

"I learned that being ready can save lives," said Alec, the grandson of Sylvia Trepte, one of the founders of Ho'ala School, a small K-12 private school in Wahiawa. "It's important to turn on the TV or radio to get information."

Alec lives in Sherwood, Ore., and like others at the camp, he's never experienced a major disaster such as a hurricane, tornado or tsunami.

"As a scout, I learned basic first aid — how to stop bleeding — so I think it's important to teach disaster preparedness to them," Spencer said of CERT's first-ever attempt at offering training to kids. "The No. 1 thing we tell them is that (during a disaster) they need to listen to their parents."

The children received basic first aid instruction, were taught about natural disasters and informed about what to do. They were later tested for certification.

"Knowledge is a powerful tool," said Atina Pascua, director of the University of Hawai'i's Service Learning Program and a Camp Kokua volunteer. She asked Spencer to prepare a children's session after taking the CERT certification course.

"Children grow up fast, and we could have a 10-year-old taking the course today who will remember something that may help them in a few years," said Pascua, who wanted to do a children's disaster preparedness session because of last year's Indian Ocean tsunami destruction.

Kiana Humistan, 13, a former Ho'ala student who will attend Island Pacific Academy this year, has never felt threatened by a natural disaster but understands now that it could happen.

"It was the second day," Kiana recalled, "and (Spencer) was talking about disasters and I started thinking that something like a hurricane or tornado could really happen. I thought about our house and how we can make it safer."

Kiana thought especially of the pots and pans hanging in the kitchen in her Royal Kunia home. "Getting them down and boarding up the windows are the first things I'm going to think about. I don't think how old you are matters when you're learning about (disaster preparedness)."

Rehan Butt, 10, who also attends Island Pacific Academy, says having an emergency kit ready is the most important thing he learned.

"There should be a first-aid kit, bandage and dressing, towels that can be used for a sling, some things for splints and a blanket," Rehan said. "I also know now that you need to put a cool towel on a burn to keep the blood vessels from constricting."

Camp Kokua, in its fourth year, is dedicated to teaching students about community service and volunteerism.

During the second week of August, the students will be at Hanauma Bay to learn about its ecosystem and do a cleanup; at Kualoa Ranch to learn about native Hawaiian plants and invasive species and work in the lo'i (taro patch); at Honolulu Zoo for cleanup and upkeep work and an overnight camp; and at Laniakea Beach to help with the "Save the Sea Turtles" program.

"What we're trying to do is teach kids that they can contribute to the community and have an impact," said Joy Vinson of Ho'ala School.

Camp Kokua's working staff includes coordinator Lori Fukuoka, teacher Amy White and Pascua.