A band of merry scallywags and seadogs set sail under blue skies last weekend at Vashon Pirate Camp, during a special afternoon outing at the camp for members of Inclusion Island — a group that regularly offers social programs for islanders with developmental disabilities.
The event, hosted by Pirate Camp director Tressa Azpiri and a pirate-garbed crew of helpers, included a scavenger hunt, craft-making sessions, snacks and lots of laughter and smiles, as members explored the magical grounds of the camp.
The setting includes a huge pirate ship, complete with a crow’s nest, an enticing sandbox, plenty of playground equipment, and shaded spots to sit protected by the canopies of tall trees that line the camp.
Such outings are regular programs of Hershey Housing, a supportive living agency started by Blythe Deines on Vashon in 2019. (Inclusion Island is a program of Hershey Housing.)
Deines’ brother, Doug Hershey, has a developmental disability, and with no residential services on the island, Hershey Housing was a way for her to build a home for him where he could live with his peers and be close to family.
Between COVID-19, a caregiver shortage and the existing housing crisis, she has had to scale those plans back: “We hope to open a bigger group home in the future.”
Last year, Deines, Bridget Webb and Shannon Flora — the co-organizers of Inclusion Island — were able to start holding events for adults. They began with the Vashon Lutheran Church, and, with the financial help of Granny’s Attic, they began holding parties, events and social meetups for adults with developmental disabilities. Their first event was a harvest party in October and have since also put on birdhouse building, dances, film screenings at Vashon Theatre and the Bethel Church, and regular hangouts at Island Queen.
Inclusion Island now works with about 20 adults — with events attracting as many as 40 people.
As their operations expand, they said, they’re looking at finding times when island restaurants and businesses can turn down the lights and music a bit so their crew can come in for the day.
“Our community is definitely very embracing and wants to be supportive, but I think we need to help them figure out what that looks like,” Deines said.
They plan to do a zoo trip to Pt. Defiance down the road.
“There’s a lot of talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, especially on this island,” Flora said, “[but] often it does not include people with disabilities. And I feel very strongly that they need to be included in the conversation.”
The group is also a way to show parents of disabled children that their kids can have — and deserve to have — full, rich lives.
It’s “an opportunity for those young parents to see how full and enriching lives can be (for) their kids later,” Deines said. “ ‘Look at how full that gentleman’s life is. That’s going to be my child, later in life.’ “
Inclusion Island’s next events will be a family picnic at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at Open Space for Arts & Community. Depending on the weather, the event will take place either outdoors or indoors in Open Space’s Orbit Youth Space, or some combination of the two.
Questions? Contact hersheyhousing@gmail.com.
Doug Hershey (center) takes a spin on the carousel at Vashon Pirate Camp, with a little help from Holly Bailey and Matt Deines. (Elizabeth Shepherd photo)
Members, friends and family active in Inclusion Island climbed and rolled aboard the pirate ship docked at Vashon Pirate Camp last Friday, during a special afternoon at the camp that included a treasure hunt, crafts, exploring, and snacks. (Elizabeth Shepherd photo)
