How a Young Innovator Helped His Family After Hurricane Helene

When our communities face daunting challenges, compassionate innovators can provide a light in the dark. Recently, an 8-year-old Camp Invention^® camper named Thomas gave us all an inspiring example of thoughtful invention when he developed a bright idea to help his family face challenges in the path of Hurricane Helene.

Taking on Challenges

In the summer of 2024, Thomas and his brother Taylor joined a Camp Invention program close to their home in North Carolina. At camp, they participated in hands-on problem-solving challenges, such as building a “glow box” to learn about the science of light.

In late September, Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction, and Thomas and Taylor’s home was in one of the hardest-hit areas. In fact, their mother Katie said it “decimated [their] town and neighborhood.”

Fortunately, the family was safe. However, they faced some difficult challenges. “After three days of no water, power or cell phone, a road was cleared which allowed us to evacuate,” Katie said. “But during those three days, it was survival mode.”

In this challenging time, Thomas bravely put his innovative mindset to work and found a thoughtful way to help his family.

Creating a Bright Solution

According to Katie, Thomas repurposed materials from Camp Invention and applied his creative problem-solving skills to meet his family’s need for a lighting solution.

“He took it upon himself to dismantle his ‘glow box’ from camp and reassemble the light strips onto a piece of cardboard he cut from the box,” Katie explained. “Then he taped it to the underside of a kitchen cabinet so we could see in the dark kitchen to make sandwiches.”

Katie reached out to our National Inventors Hall of Fame^® team to share her family’s story, saying, “I had no idea what an impact camp would have on him … and us! Thank you for playing a part in getting us through three traumatic days.”

“I told you I was born to create,” Thomas said to his mother as his innovative efforts brought much-needed light to dark and difficult days.

Sharing Inspiration

Everyone at the National Inventors Hall of Fame is grateful to Katie, Thomas and Taylor for sharing their family’s story with us.

We also are thankful for creative campers like Thomas, for making the world a brighter place with their empathy and ingenuity, especially in times of need.

Thomas exemplifies the problem-solving spirit Camp Invention aims to inspire in all children. This is why we invest in equipping the next generation with the I Can Invent^® Mindset – so that they can confidently navigate life’s challenges and apply their creative problem-solving and design thinking skills to persevere through difficult times and develop their own solutions.