Summer Fun program ends successful first year

Friday “extravaganza” included an Art Walk and Wearable Art Show

The city of Ocean Shores’ first Summer Fun program for youth ended last week with several public requests for the city to continue the effort in the future.

Volunteers and participants lauded the program before the City Council July 23.

Alison Cline, who was brought in to introduce participants to American Sign Language, said she was “so grateful that this has been put in place for the kids in our community. There is so little for our kids to do, especially in the summer.”

She thanked those who volunteered in the first year of the program.

“I hope this is s program that will not only continue, but hopefully expand in the future. Our kids need something and they are having a great time,” said Cline, a former North Beach teacher.

The program was funded by $25,000 budget allocation from the city of Ocean Shores and supported by the North Beach School District through use of the Ocean Shores Elementary School facility and busing.

The program was aided by an informal aggregate of volunteers, community groups and agencies sharing the goal of enriching the summer experience for area children.

The effort was led by Ocean Shores City Council member and North Beach school psychologist Bob Peterson.

Peterson encouraged the public to visit during the Friday “extravaganza” last week, which was a celebration of the program, which included an Art Walk and Wearable Art Show with help from Stage West Theatre.

The finale included a visit from local realtor and race car driver Jeff Daniel, who brought his car, named Seaweed, to Ocean Shores Elementary, home of the Summer Fun program, much to the delight of the 60 or so area kids who participated in the three-week run of learning cleverly disguised as fun.

Resident Karen Baer said it was a “privilege for me to work in a small way with the summer youth program. There are myriad people who have helped, but kudos to Bob for bringing this all to fruition with his organization of resources and volunteers.”

She also credited City Council member Diane Solem for managing the lunch program for the project.

“It really does take a village, and when the villagers come together, look what can be accomplished,” Baer said.