Here’s how Bellingham Parks is offering these free summer programs for kids
The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department is offering free youth summer programs and other opportunities for children and working families.
The city parks department received a $50,000 grant from the Washington Parks and Recreation Association, which will allow the department to offer free day camps and youth programs this summer, according to a city of Bellingham news release.
The Summer Experiences and Enrichment for Kids grant will fund scholarship opportunities at day camps for kids aged 6 through 14 at a drop-in playground program called PUMP at Birchwood, Roosevelt and Cordata parks and at VolunTeens, which is a camp that provides teenagers immersive volunteer opportunities, the release states.
Registration for summer programs through the city’s parks department begins Monday, April 11.
BellingCamp, which takes place at Bloedel-Donovan Park from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays is designed to meet the needs of working families, the news release states.
Adventure Day Camp, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, takes campers on day trips to beaches, waterslides and state parks.
PUMP, or Pop-Up Mobile Playgrounds, is offered for free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. The program rotates between Birchwood, Roosevelt and Cordata parks. This program does not require any registration, the release states. Kids are allowed to drop in for themed activities, sports and a healthy snack. The program runs June 28 through Aug. 18.
Families who meet scholarship eligibility criteria can register for two or more free weeks of BellingCamp or Adventure Day Camp. Foster families, non-English speaking households and families with transportation barriers are also eligible to receive scholarships, according to the news release.
VolunTeens, which starts June 27 and runs through August, meets at Squalicum Creek Park, where teens will work with a variety of service organizations to learn leadership skills, become park stewards and form meaningful friendships and community connections, the release states.
The program is priced at $25 a week and city scholarships are also available for the program.
“We’ve worked toward reducing barriers to program participation this summer by simplifying our scholarship application process, offering free programs in higher need areas, and keeping all necessary fees as low as possible,” Melissa Bianconi, recreation manager for the city parks department, stated in a prepared statement. “Kids need to stay engaged over the summer, and families need safe and affordable options. The SEEK grant is providing amazing opportunities to help meet those needs.”
More information on scholarships and the summer programs can be found online at the city’s website.
This story was originally published April 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
