When in doubt, nothing guarantees popularity like providing free pizza.
By the time Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle arrived at Evergreen Park on Wednesday, just after lunchtime, she’d already achieved legendary status among the 52 kids chowing down on the two dozen cheese and pepperoni Domino’s pies she’d sent to the park.
The kids were all participants in the McClaskey Family Foundation Summer Playgrounds Program. The free day camps, stationed at three different locations across the city, provide four hours a day of structured playtime led by Vancouver Parks and Recreation counselors.
The camps also provide kids with a free brown bag lunch — a crucial element, especially for low-income families who count on free and reduced-price lunch programs during the school year.
“Definitely the kids are aware this is a special day,” said Dave Perlick, recreation manager with Vancouver Parks and Recreation, as a gaggle of kids behind him lined up for a slice.
Wednesday’s pizza was indeed a special occasion. McEnerny-Ogle was there for a Q&A session with the elementary-age group, carrying on a tradition established 12 years ago by then-Mayor Tim Leavitt.
Some of the questions she fielded were lighthearted. How do you become the mayor? Do you have any kids?
Others weren’t. Cherisann Miller, 12, asked McEnerny-Ogle what she should do if she sees people doing drugs or drinking in the park.
“Keep yourself safe, because you’re not going to be able to handle it,” the mayor responded. And call 911 and report it, she added.
When McEnerny-Ogle asked what the city could do to improve the park, some kids wanted a swimming pool, a bigger play structure or tetherball poles. But one child also mentioned graffiti, and another brought up cigarette butts.
“How many of you help pick up cigarette butts around here?” McEnerny-Ogle asked. Around a dozen little hands went up.
Free for all
In Clark County, 17.7 percent of kids experience food insecurity, according to a 2017 Feeding America study. By providing free lunches, the day camps help create a stopgap for kids who rely on school programs for meals from September to June.
The programs are also a lot of fun. Camp counselors put together games and crafts, as well as more elaborate pastimes.
“The staff’s really creative. In the past, we’ve done stuff like treasure hunts or capture the flag,” Perlick said.
Some kids come back year after year. Ryileigh Jones, who’s 10 years old (but about to turn 11, as she’s quick to point out), said the best part is getting to hang out with her friends. She’s participated in the Evergreen Park camp for the last four years and is one of many return campers.
It’s been going on long enough that some campers have come back as counselors.
“This is our 12th summer here at Evergreen Park,” Perlick said.
Leavitt started the program as a pilot, leveraging a state grant to combine a USDA summer meal program with a structured time to play and socialize, Perlick said.
“At that time, there was some concern about some negative activity and not enough for kids to do in the neighborhood, so we started the program,” Perlick explained. “We want to address the nutrition as well as social interaction, reinforce positive behaviors, and (there’s) a physical fitness element too.”
The camps have grown, both in attendance and location. Last summer, 3,500 lunches were served to camp participants.
This summer, they’re also operating out of Hough Elementary School in west Vancouver and Crestline Elementary School in east Vancouver.
The programs run five days a week, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and are open to children from 6 to 11 years old. While kids need to register to participate in the day camp recreational activities, lunch is free to everyone, camper or otherwise — anyone at the park who wants to get fed, gets fed.
Around 80 kids are registered for the Evergreen Park program this year, and daily turnout across all three locations has averaged 134 children so far this summer.
Some participate every day, and some only come by once in a while. The idea is to create a flexible summer activity to help parents and caregivers fill the long summer days, regardless of income level.
“The whole intent of the program is to bring recreation to the neighborhood. Because we do run very successful registration-based, fee-based day camp programs, but if the registration fee is a barrier or just the transportation is a barrier, that’s not realistic to all families in the community,” Perlick said.
