In recent years, some islanders have criticized the Vashon Park District for cutting its program offerings, but this summer, the district hopes to serve island families by offering a summer camp for youth ages 11 to 15.
Elaine Ott, the park district’s executive director, said she supports the camp effort, which will allow the district to test the waters for possible future programming as well as respond to critics.
“It seemed like a good opportunity to address public requests,” she said.
As planned, participants of the camp will do two hours of work in an island park in the morning, such as making a trail, cleaning up or painting signs, will eat lunch at Ober Park with the food bank’s youth program and then spend two hours doing something fun, such as kayaking, paddleboarding or playing beach volleyball, according to camp organizers. Week-long sessions are slated to run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday from July 20 to Aug. 13. The fee is $200. Participants may also earn community service hours toward their graduation requirement.
The organizers behind this effort are Hilary Emmer, who wrote the statement opposing the recent levy in the voter’s guide in part because of the district’s lack of programs, and Kristin Pesman, who headed the Friends of Vashon Parks initiative to pass the levy. Both women say they have gotten feedback that there are not enough summer offerings for islanders in the pre-teen and early teen age group, so they designed this camp to address that need.
While the district is moving ahead to make the camp happen, it will only proceed if 10 campers sign up for the sessions and camp counselors can be hired.
As planned, the camp is expected to cost the district little or to bring in a modest profit.
Should all the weeks fill with 10 campers, the cost to the district would be $720, Emmer said. The maximum number of kids who can register is 15 per week, she added, and if all weeks were filled to capacity, the park district would bring in more than $2,600.
Organizers say they know many families have already done their summer planning, but they hope those who are interested will step forward and sign up soon, as the deadline to register is June 10. If enough campers sign up, the district will then hire two counselors.
Pesman noted that this program would be fun for friends to sign up for together — and that counselors will bring their own spirit to it.
“I am sure as we hire counselors, it will take on a life unto its own and turn into something really neat,” she added.
To register or for more information, email Emmer at hilonvashon@yahoo.com by Wednesday, June 10.
