A sudden lightning strike during a Boy Scout archery session in New Jersey on July 16 left one adult dead and thirteen others injured, including children as young as seven, turning what should have been a fun summer camp day into a heartbreaking tragedy that has shaken the local community and raised urgent concerns about outdoor safety during severe weather.

A peaceful summer day turned into a nightmare at a New Jersey archery range on Wednesday, July 16, when a sudden lightning strike killed one person and injured thirteen others, including several young Boy Scouts participating in a camp activity.

The freak weather incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. at a wooded outdoor recreation area in Sussex County, known for hosting seasonal youth programs and outdoor skills training.

According to local officials, the group was gathered for an archery session under what had been mostly cloudy skies throughout the morning.

Witnesses reported that the weather had shifted rapidly—within minutes, what had been a calm and humid afternoon transformed into a chaotic storm, catching both instructors and children off guard.

One powerful bolt of lightning struck the open field near the archery targets, sending shockwaves through the area.

Emergency services rushed to the scene following multiple 911 calls, arriving to find campers and staff members attempting to aid the injured.

First responders described a harrowing scene: children and adults disoriented and crying, some suffering burns or displaying signs of cardiac distress.

Authorities confirmed that the victims ranged in age from 7 to 61, with most requiring hospitalization for injuries caused by the electrical blast.

Among the injured were a troop of Boy Scouts attending a summer survival program. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released, pending notification of family, but it was confirmed the victim was an adult affiliated with the camp’s instructional staff.

Several campers were treated at the scene for minor injuries, while others were airlifted to nearby trauma centers in critical but stable condition.

Local parent Amanda Reyes, whose 10-year-old son was at the camp, described the terrifying moment she received a call from the emergency contact line.

“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. You send your child to learn teamwork and life skills, not to come home with burns from a lightning strike,” she said tearfully. “I’m grateful my son is safe, but devastated for the families whose loved ones weren’t as lucky.”

The New Jersey State Police and the National Weather Service are jointly investigating the incident.

Preliminary weather data confirmed that a severe thunderstorm warning had been issued for the region just 20 minutes before the strike, though it’s unclear whether the camp’s staff received or had time to respond to the alert.

Local meteorologist Jenna Lawson noted that lightning strikes in open recreational areas, though rare, tend to happen during sudden storm cells common in mid-summer.

“These storms form fast and hit hard,” she explained. “You can go from overcast to life-threatening conditions in under five minutes.”

The archery range, part of a larger youth camp complex that includes hiking trails, cabins, and a lakefront, has been temporarily closed pending a safety review.

Representatives from the Boy Scouts of America issued a brief statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy and affirming their commitment to supporting the victims and their families.

“We are heartbroken by the events of July 16. Our focus right now is on the recovery and care of those impacted.”

This tragic event has sparked wider discussions about outdoor safety protocols during summer youth activities, especially those involving groups of children in open fields or wooded areas.

Experts recommend camps develop faster alert-response systems and require weather drills in case of rapid-changing conditions. Parents have also begun calling for improved shelter infrastructure in high-risk locations.

As communities across New Jersey rally around the affected families, a candlelight vigil is being organized at a local church on Friday evening to honor the life lost and to offer support to those still recovering in hospitals.

Mental health counselors and grief support teams have been dispatched to assist the children and staff who witnessed the traumatic event.

What was meant to be a day of learning, bonding, and outdoor fun ended in heartbreak, as nature reminded everyone of its unpredictable and often unforgiving force.

The hope now is for healing, for answers, and for renewed commitment to protecting the young lives entrusted to these programs during the fleeting, precious days of summer.