The Point Roberts Park and Recreation District has been awarded a $31,000 grant to make this year’s summer kids camp just what local kids need after two years of Covid-19 lockdown.
“This is a federal grant to provide an opportunity to create summer programs for kids who have been affected by Covid-19,” said parks board chair and grant writer Bennett Blaustein. “Let’s just say we had a strong application given the isolation this community and its kids have felt.”
The Summer Experiences and Enrichment for Kids (SEEK) fund provided $10 million to Washington programs in 2022, administered through a collaboration between the Association of Washington Cities, the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Washington Recreation and Parks Organization.
The parks district got a $5,000 SEEK grant last year, which they used to buy supplies and equipment. “We bought everything from ring toss games to kites,” Blaustein said, as well as paying for some of the counselor salaries.
This year the district applied for more funds with the intention of getting kids off the Point to go and explore. The plan is for three field trips during the four-week program; the options being looked at include whale watching, the Vancouver Aquarium and Science World.
Grant funds will pay for field trips, including transportation, counselor salaries, equipment and supplies. “We are hoping to stock up on things so that the grant can keep giving for future years,” Blaustein said.
The dates for the camp are not set yet, though the program usually starts the week after the 4th of July. Registration information will be available once the dates for the program and the field trip schedule have been established.
“We’re planning a really special program for this year,” Blaustein said. “I want it to be an experience these kids remember for a long time.”
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