Vancouver Family Magazine August 2022 by Vancouver Family Magazine

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August 2022

y: a w a t e G W N

SUMMER IN

Leavenworth On the Brink:

Housing Vulnerability in Vancouver

Education's Exodus:

Alternative School Options Rise in Popularity

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

contents

August '22

FEATURE ARTICLES

Old School/New School The learning landscape has changed dramatically since COVID, with traditional public school no longer suiting many students and families. Check out these alternative and diverse education options for K-12.

NW Getaway: Summertime in Leavenworth Beyond a Bavarian Winter Wonderland, Leavenworth offers year-round family fun.

On the Brink: Housing Vulnerability in Vancouver Read about one local family's unexpected housing crisis and how the City of Vancouver and other agencies are responding to an increase in shelter vulnerability.

30 12

20 IN EVERY ISSUE 6

Editor’s Notes

Couve Scoop • Check Out Washington • Archaeological Dig at Fort Vancouver • New Mobile Night Crisis Team

Mosaic Family Voyage A Day in the Life: Mulegé Grocery Run

36 Calendar of Events & Activities

ON THE WEB

8 4

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

•

Park of the Week: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to discover local parks we love: @VancouverFamily

•

Take our reader survey and be entered for a chance to win a prize package from Vancouver Mall

JOIN US FOR FAMILY FUN IN VANCOUVER PARKS!

EVENTS

Waterfront Park Concert Series

Presented by Riverview Community Bank with support from Waterfront Taphouse Fridays | 6-8 p.m. | August 5 & 12 Vancouver Waterfront Park (695 Waterfront Park)

Sunday Sounds Concert Series Presented by Columbia Tech Center and iQ Credit Union Sundays | 6-8 p.m. | August 7 & 14 Columbia Tech Center Park (SE Sequoia Cir. at SE Tech Center Dr.)

Movies in the Parks Presented by HAPO Community Credit Union, Country Financial and Columbia Arts Network Fridays | August 5 & 12 Activities start at 7 p.m., movies at dusk Visit a new park each week

All events are free & family friendly

VISIT cityofvancouver.us/Events Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

EDITOR'S NOTES

Photo by Marie Pham Photography

Hope for Disparity Despair “In Clark County, members of the community who identify as Person(s) of Color (POC), especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous and Micronesian or Polynesian are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity at disproportional rates when compared to our neighbors who identify as white,” reads Council for the Homeless (CFTH)’s Homeless Crisis Response System 2020 Racial Equity Report. The full report, which is publicly accessible at CouncilForTheHomeless.org, backs up this claim with data. For example, the average likelihood of experiencing poverty in the general population was 9.3%, while the average for people of color was between 11%-19.9%, with Pacific Islander residents at the highest likelihood of poverty—almost twice as likely as white residents. The disparities reflect into younger age groups, too: according to the report, 21% of white people experiencing homelessness were children, 30% of Black people experiencing homelessness were children and 45% of Pacific Islanders experiencing homelessness were children. On top of the racial inequities, CFTH reported more recently that LGBTQ youth represent as much as 40% of the homeless youth population. The numbers are alarming, but there is some good news. “Since 2018,” reads the report, “the racial gaps between the proportions of people needing assistance, requesting assistance, and receiving assistance have steadily shrunk.” Still, we as a community have a lot of work to do to completely close the gaps. It starts with educating ourselves about the problem, with a hope that progress is possible. As CFTH optimistically posted on Instagram in June 2022, “CFTH and our local community partners believe that it IS possible to end the tragedy of homelessness for unaccompanied youth of ALL backgrounds.” The last two years in particular have exposed vulnerabilities in our systems and in our economy, but thankfully organizations like CFTH, Our Place Nuestra Casa, Southwest Washington Communities United for Change, YWCA Clark County, the City of Vancouver and many more are responding with affordable housing programs, rapid response relief and rental assistance, shelter resources, a Housing Hotline and more. In this issue, learn more about some of these resources, how to find help, and about one local family’s experience with becoming housing vulnerable (page 18).

www.VancouverFamilyMagazine.com

Volume 21, Issue 8 Publisher

Julie Buchan Julie@vancouverfamilymagazine.com (360) 882-7762

Editor

Nikki Klock Nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com (360) 882-7762

Associate Editor

Sarah Mortensen Sarah@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Graphic Designer

I-Shüan Warr Ishuan@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Contributing Writers

Kristen Flowers, Sarah Giza, Rachel Messerschmidt

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sales@vancouverfamilymagazine.com Vancouver Family Magazine is published monthly by Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC Address: PO Box 820264 Vancouver, WA 98682 Tel: 360-882-7762 Copyright 2002-2022. All rights reserved. No portion of Vancouver Family Magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC and staff do not recommend or endorse any service, product, or content represented in this magazine or on our website. The sole purpose of this publication is to provide information on available services and/or products. It is the consumer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of information given. Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC, and/or Julie Buchan and Nikki Klock and staff do not assume and disclaim any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by error or omission in this magazine or on our website. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

On the Cover:

Also in this issue, learn why many families have exited from traditional education in favor of alternative methods that have seen a surge since the pandemic temporarily shut down schools in 2020 (page 12), and explore the Bavarian village of Leavenworth in the summertime (page 20).

Lucas is a 7-year-old soon-to-be second grader who loves to sing and swims like a fish. When he grows up, he wants to be a dad.

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Photo by Erika Radek. Erikarenaephotography.zenfolio. com @Erika.Renae.Photography @erikarenaephotography 360-442-8601

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Don’t borrow your children’s future. Build it.

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Notable News, Events & Efforts in Clark County

AUGUST 2022

Check Out Washington Provides Adventure Pack and Access to State Lands

Your library card is your key to exploring Washington’s great outdoors. Fort Vancouver Regional Library and Camas Public Library cardholders can now borrow a special adventure pack that includes a Discover Pass through the Check Out Washington (COWA) program, which launched as a pilot program in 2019 and has since expanded to all public library systems in Washington. Discover Passes provide day-use access to state lands

Cape Disappointment.

Photo by Joshua Jones

Deception Pass. Photo courtesy COWA

managed by Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Other elements of the adventure pack include binoculars, educational materials and a set of pocket guides about Washington trees, wildlife and birds. Without the special library pass, a one-day Discover Pass costs $10, and an annual pass costs $30 (plus transaction fees). Visit your nearest library branch to check out a pass and pack. Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/couve-scoop-august-2022 for a link to a list of Washington State Parks that can be accessed with a Discover Pass, plus a list of fee-free days at Washington State Lands. COWA Corgie, Hubert. Photo by Allison Lu

Archaeological Dig at Fort Vancouver Explores Site of Historic School and Church T

hroughout the month of July, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site’s Public Archaeology Field School Program invited students and professional archaeologists from Portland State University and Washington State University to an archaeological dig to explore an important portion of the Fort’s historic community. In partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), they surveyed the site of the school where children of fur trade families studied in the early 1800s. “The former site of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s schoolhouses is one of the most important but little-known places in Fort Vancouver,” said National Park Service regional archaeologist Dr. Doug Wilson. “Education at Fort Vancouver was progressive in some ways but also designed to ‘civilize’ children that came from mixed and Indigenous backgrounds.” One of the structures studied this summer also served as the “Owhyhee Church” for Native Hawaiian workers of the Hudson’s Bay Company as well as being the location of the first (1838) Roman Catholic mass in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, the Kids Digs program invited children ages 8-12 to the Fort for a mock excavation where they learned excavation, screening, recording and interpreting techniques, inspiring them to learn more about their local history.

Above, top: Melody Midkiff (l) and Amelia Curtis (r) at the Fort Vancouver dig site. Above, below: Archaeologists work at the Fort Vancouver dig site. Photos by Sarah Mortensen.

In this painting by Richard Schlect, the schoolhouses built in 1844 can be seen in the center foreground. They are the two two-story wooden buildings on the north side of what is now E 5th Street. Photo credit: NPS

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Left: Dash Point. Photo by Pierce+Tacoma+JBLM

Below: Penrose Pt. SP Seashore Girls. Photo courtesy COWA

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New Mobile Night Crisis Team Reaching Those in Need Columbia River Mental Health Services (CRMHS) recently introduced a new service designed to provide more direct mental health counseling and treatment to vulnerable individuals, and relieve law enforcement and emergency service personnel from the need to respond to mental health and substance use crises overnight. The new Columbia River Night Crisis Team, which launched in May, will operate from 10 pm to 8 am, overlapping with similar services offered through SeaMar Community Services Northwest that run from 8 am to midnight, effectively extending mobile crisis response in Clark County to 24/7. Dawn Tec Yah of the Night Crisis team explained, “Residents facing a mental health crisis at night often have few options for intervention and end up in the emergency room or police station for non-life-threatening conditions.” Columbia River Night Crisis Team seeks to reduce these hospitalizations while increasing assistance and resources for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, you can reach the mobile teams in Clark County by calling the 24/7 Crisis Connections line at 800-626-8137.

Mobile Night Crisis Team Crew. Photo courtesy Columbia River Mental Health Services.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

MOSAIC FAMILY VOYAGE

By Rachel Messerschmidt All photos courtesy of the author.

A Day in the Life:

Mulegé Grocery Run

Since my last column,

published in the July issue of Vancouver Family Magazine, we’ve traveled over 250 miles north from La Paz to Bahía Concepción. We’re taking part in a longestablished Sea of Cortez cruiser’s migration. In the spring and summer months, cruising boats move northward to get out of the hurricane zone. The further north into the Sea of Cortez you travel, the less likely you’ll need to contend with a hurricane which could destroy your home. After several weeks’ travel, we found ourselves anchored with about a dozen other cruising boats in a bay called Santo Domingo in Bahia Concepción. It’s about halfway up the inside of the Baja Peninsula, and we were low on groceries. To get to town to get those groceries, we would need to pick up anchor and head six miles across the bay to anchor at the mouth of a river. Once anchored there, we would need to get in our dinghy and take it two and a half miles up the river to explore town and shop. On this morning, we were one of six cruising boats going into town together to run our errands. We all left our protected overnight anchorage between 7 and 8 am, motored or sailed across the bay and anchored again by 9 am.

We were the last boat to get anchored and we knew that we would be tagging along behind the rest of the group. All the other boats have dinghies with stronger outboard motors which allow them to get up on plane and travel much faster over the water. Our little 3.3 horsepower engine isn’t strong enough to get us up on plane, so we travel everywhere pretty slowly. This normally isn’t an issue; we’re used to being the slow dinghy. But, when you have two and a half miles to travel up a river, this changes the equation a bit. For most of the dinghies, the river trip would take 10-15 minutes. For us, it would take an hour or more. We enjoyed the sights, though, as we motored up the river and were caught by surprise at the appearance of a swarm of beautiful blue cannonball jellyfish. We were surrounded by thousands of the softball-sized jellies. Their robin’s egg blue color was remarkable. We could even pick them up, gently, without getting stung. Those jellyfish were definitely one of the highlights of the day! Little did we know that we were in for quite an ordeal later. . . Once we finally arrived at the bridge and disembarked our dinghy, we made our way toward the old mission building to check it out with friends. We spent 45 minutes or so walking the rooms, climbing to the bell tower and exploring the halls. A room taken over by a colony of bats brought gasps and wide-eyed wonder continued on next page

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

continued from previous page

Family Chiropractic

from the children as the tiny mammals squeaked at us and flew amongst the rafters.

Natural Care for All Ages

After that, we stopped for lunch at Mulegé Brewing. It’s not often that we can get food and drinks that feel like home. The families of all six boats ended up eating together and the food was delicious! However, the extended stop for lunch put us on a bit of a time crunch as the afternoon’s winds started picking up and we still had to get our grocery shopping done. The anchorage out in front of the town provided no protection for bigger boats anchored there. We began to worry about the wind causing trouble. We wrapped up our lunch, hurried through our shopping and began our march back to the dinghies. The wind continued to build, along with our worries, and we weren’t sure what we’d find out there. We were, again, the last boat in the parade as all the others zipped downriver. Soon, we started to hear concerned chatter on the radio. The conditions at the mouth of the river where the boats were anchored had turned wild. The wind was blowing 20 knots, with the big boats bucking and pitching as they rode the wind waves. And the current of the outgoing river, hitting the waves from the wind, made nearly whitewater conditions for all of us to punch through with our heavily laden dinghies. Everybody worked together to help make sure all the dinghies, occupants and groceries made it safely to their boats. We heard, over the radio, that one dinghy was filled with water, and they were bailing. I looked wide-eyed at Brenden, “What the heck is going on out there!?” A few minutes went by, and we heard that those friends had been rescued. As we neared the mouth of the river ourselves, another dinghy came in and picked up Kali and I to lighten the load of our dinghy. Every bit of maneuverability would matter in the ordeal to come. We were soaked in the journey from our dinghy back to Mosaic but, despite the pitching, we safely got aboard. The waves were four feet high, steep, and moving fast. The bow of Mosaic jumped violently, the whole boat pulling at our anchor. While I waited for Brenden and Evan to make it through the rough zone at the mouth

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360-314-2761 of the river, I prepped the boat to get going as soon as the boys were back aboard. Finally, I saw Brenden and Evan in our dinghy, bobbing on the huge waves, motoring toward us. Somebody called on the radio that they were past the bar and the others cheered. We managed getting groceries tossed haphazardly into the cockpit from the dinghy. Evan and then Brenden carefully climbed aboard and I tied the dinghy to tow her back to the other anchorage. It was a precarious struggle to get the anchor off the seabed and secured safely at the bow. I motored forward to take the load off the chain while Brenden cranked it up. At that point, the bow was pitching up and down 10 or 12 feet and crashing through the waves. I imagined our anchor, all 73 pounds of it, flying up and puncturing a hole in the bow of the boat. Thankfully, Brenden managed to lock it down without incident. We set out back across the bay to the protection of the Santo Domingo anchorage. By the time we reached Santo Domingo, our adrenaline had passed, and our heart rates were back to normal. Friends that we’ve been with for weeks were leaving that night, splitting off and heading back south, so we spent the evening together recounting the day’s events to each other and to those who hadn’t come along on the craziest trip ever into town for groceries. Rachel Messerschmidt and her family are Clark County natives living and cruising full time aboard their 40-foot sailboat, Mosaic. They traveled down the US West Coast and have been cruising in Mexico since November of 2021. Rachel shares her family’s adventures on her blog at www.mosaicvoyage.com and on Facebook and Instagram @mosaicvoyage. She writes a monthly column for Vancouver Family Magazine.

Page 10, top: The view of the oasis that surrounds the town of Mulege, as viewed from atop the Mission building. Bottom left: The Mission in Mulege: exploring old buildings and discussing the past of the places that the author's family visits is part of their home-schooling journey. Bottom middle: Inside the claustrophobic halls of the Mission building in Mulege. Bottom right: Loaded down with groceries and walking back to the dinghies; this is a normal sight on a day of provisioning for a boat family. Page 11: A map of the author's route from Santa Domingo (at the red dot) across the bay to Mulege and then back again to Santo Domingo.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Feature: Old School/New School

Old School/

New School

Alternative Schooling in Southwest Washington

By Kristen Flowers

When the World Health Organization

declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, forcing stores, offices, restaurants and event venues to close their doors, most parents weren’t sure what to expect next. But when schools announced they would also close campuses and pivot to virtual learning, a whole new set of problems emerged for parents who relied on public schools to both educate and care for their children. For some parents, it was the first time they questioned the suitability of their child’s educational institution. It took a pandemic for some parents to ask: Could there be something better? Here in 2022, school is back in session, but the landscape has dramatically changed since pre-COVID days. Some students did not return to in-person classes. Others simply changed course. With new vulnerabilities being exposed about traditional forms of education, and new options available, it’s time to get educated about education.

causing most local districts to continue offering an online option. Families enjoy more flexibility and the ability to set their own daily schedule and pace for the needs of their child. Jay Vitulski was one of the many parents who decided it was time for a change. Her 8-year-old daughter Olivia now studies online through Vancouver Virtual Learning Academy, the online option for Vancouver Public Schools. A teacher sends the supplies and lesson plans which are essentially the same as what students attending in person work on. Vitulski and her daughter do the work independently and report her work through the online classroom. She believes it was the right choice for them. “We can focus more on her independent interests, and the school gives us open-ended projects where they can do as much or as little as

Online Education 2.0 While many families dreaded online school, it clearly worked well for some families, Jay Vitulski’s daughter, Olivia, attends Vancouver Virtual Learning Academy through Vancouver Public Schools. Photo courtesy Jay Vitulski.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

they like. I think she really thrives with that kind of setup.” Vitulski, who works a few days a month, believes having the same school district curriculum to follow has been helpful since time constraints would make it hard to home-school fully. She also uses everyday life as an educational tool. “If she’s building with Legos, that counts as school, or if she is doing independent reading or drawing or asking questions, watching instructional videos, or if she wants to know about something, we just look it up. She might do a whole project on something just out of the blue because she’s curious about it.” continued on page 14

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Feature: Old School/New School (cont'd) continued from page 12

Home School Reimagined With upsets in traditional education, the trend of home-schooling is rising. According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), 9 million Americans received a home education in 2020, and the Institute believes that moving forward, the number of home-schooled children will grow by 2% to 8% annually. Additionally, NHERI says a parent teaching a child in the home has many benefits, including a personalized curriculum, more interaction, and a chance to include a family’s beliefs or religion into the coursework.

schooling might not be the right option for her family. “We kind of walked away thinking, ‘What is she going to learn this upcoming year?’ She already [knew] and [had] exceeded the school’s stated [end of year] goals. I was concerned she would experience school as this boring thing she had to do.”

NHERI also digs into the numbers, citing that home-educated students score higher on standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT, than public school students; this is regardless of the parent’s level of education or household income. With colleges actively recruiting home-schooled teens, NHERI found that adults who were home-schooled as children go on to succeed at college at an equal or even higher rate than public school graduates. As competition for in-demand jobs grow and parents seek a more personalized education for their child, it is no wonder that home-schooling is increasing not just in Clark County, but across the country.

Having never been a teacher or received any educational training, Matthews was initially intimidated by the idea of homeschooling through high school. She decided to give it a shot for a year, realized it wasn’t too daunting, and continued onward. “It was a gradual building of confidence,” she explains.

Sarah Matthews originally said she would never home-school her kids. It wasn’t until she took her daughter to orientation day for kindergarten that she realized traditional

Matthews started looking at alternative forms of education with the full intent that her daughter would eventually return to a traditional public school. It’s been nine years now, and they have not gone back.

Matthews wasn’t alone in her journey, though. Her family is part of a homeschooling co'op called Classical Conversations. In the Vancouver area, faith-based Classical Conversations has six different communities that meet weekly with groups of kids. It’s an instant network for the children to interact with other home-schooled kids. The co-op allows parents to ask other like-minded families their opinions and ideas, and most importantly, get reassurance. “A lot of it is

finding a community of some type that can support you as you build your confidence,” continues Matthews. There are no exact rules to follow when it comes to home-schooling. Numerous curriculums are available to purchase which is where many families start. Others build their own curriculum as they go along. Local mom Stephanie Weaver uses a mix of traditional home schooling and course unit study. Course unit study centers on a defined topic or theme incorporated into multiple educational subjects. Currently, her sons are excited by snakes, so their coursework centers around them, whether it be spelling, art or even the weather. “It draws them in and gives them control over their school day,” she says. “And it’s just fun!” Home school has other far-reaching effects beyond individual students and their families. The more home-schooled children, the less strain on taxpayers. Taxpayers, on average, spend $15,240 per pupil annually in public schools. In 20202021, with the number of home-schooled children, the savings was $56 billion for taxpayers. But one report from Axios shows there could potentially be a societal downside to home schooling. School funding comes from enrollment, and with the decline in students, some public schools could close completely, and the need for teachers would decrease or dry continued on page 16

According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI),

9 million Americans received a home education in 2020, and the Institute believes that moving forward,

the number of homeschooled children will grow by 2% to 8% annually. 14

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

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Feature: Old School/New School (cont'd) continued from page 14

up entirely at shuttered schools. Time will tell how these trends affect Clark County school districts. Home School Socialization and Sporting Options When it comes to the socialization aspect of home-schooling, many parents are concerned that their child will miss important developmental or social milestones such as prom, group sports or other competitions. Matthews thinks that’s not the case anymore. “In our area, there is such a rich diversity of experiences available for these kids [including] consistent classroom experiences and other extra curriculum options.” For Washington students, the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) considers home-schooled children part of their local public school districts. This allows the child to participate in their local school sports teams through part-time enrollment. Additionally, many home-schooled children participate in private leagues or Parks and Rec sports. To connect with other home-schooling families, Weaver runs a Facebook group called Clark County Homeschool Family

Left: Rooted School founder Jonathan Johnson. Right: a Rooted School classroom in Louisiana similar to what classrooms may look like at Rooted School’s new Vancouver campus, opening 2023. Photos courtesy Jonathan Johnson.

Park Meetups. Despite having only been home-schooling her three children since 2018, she says it’s already profoundly affected their lives. “At first, it was definitely scary. I have a child with special needs, and that’s way more than just providing an education. He has very specific needs . . . I had no idea what I was doing, but I had no other choice. We tried every avenue within the public schools and everything that entails, and we just wanted to put that behind us. We took a leap of faith.” Today, Weaver’s Facebook group has over 700 members. She arranges weekly gatherings at different parks to do various activities and celebrate special holidays. The positive changes Weaver has seen in her children are unmistakable. One of her sons was diagnosed with autism and anxiety

at a young age. Since home-schooling, he has thrived, made friends within his community and even looks forward to school. “Clark County is an amazing place to home-school with so many choices,” she says. “I’m thankful for that.” A New Kind of Public School Beyond home school, more education options are coming to Southwest Washington. Rooted School Vancouver, the first charter school in Southwest Washington, will begin taking applications this fall for their upcoming 2023 school year. It’s a free public high school, but is application-based. The goal of the school is clear: they want to reduce the wealth gap for Black and brown students in their lifetime, and they have a plan to do it. continued on page 18 Home-schooled students ranging in age from 1-14 years meet up at Holly Park in LaCenter. Photo courtesy Stephanie Weaver.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

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Feature: Old School/New School (cont'd) continued from page 16

“Looking at Southwest Washington, the region is adding roughly 1,600 STEM jobs annually over the next five-plus years that don’t have enough homegrown talent to match the job growth projected,” explains Jonathan Johnson, founder and CEO of Rooted School Foundation. “In Rooted School Foundation, we see an opportunity to be an example to other schools and employers for how we can create more cleaner verticals from K-12 to the world of work.” The school is unique in that it backward engineers the curriculum. They find out what employers are looking for, and create the coursework around that, so by the time the students graduate, they will be well on the path toward college and a career. “We can get a student the salary of the average 35-year-old by the time they are 22. And if a student has access to that type of income, and that type of capital, early on in their lives, how much more likely are they to reduce not only the income gap between different groups of people but also the wealth gap?” poses Johnson. “Unless something changes, it will take about 228 years for the average Black family to obtain the same amount of

wealth as the average white family in this country.” Rooted School is open to all high school students in Southwest Washington and Johnson encourages anyone who is interested in attending to apply. There are no entry requirements. Parochial Schools Another alternative form of education for families to consider is faith-based private schools. Clark County is home to many private religious schools, whose enrollment numbers continue to grow. One of the oldest schools in the area is Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in west Vancouver. While Catholic-affiliated, Vikki Pynenburg, the school’s development and marketing director, says all faiths are welcome. Like most private schools, Our Lady of Lourdes is admission-based. However, Pynenburg says the school does not look at what the child can bring, but what the school can do for the child. “We want to know that we can serve the child because all children are very different,” she shares. “Our world is very different, full of different people, so we certainly don’t want to look for a specific kind of child. We just welcome all.” Even as a religious private school, Our Lady of Lourdes follows all Washington State standards, including common core curriculum, alongside religion classes. They offer elective courses for robotics, music and sports as in most public schools. Its vast outdoor spaces are also utilized throughout the day. “I appreciate how forward-thinking our technology is with our robotics and coding that we offer the students, but I also appreciate the traditional, age-appropriate values that we teach here,” Pynenburg says. It’s that feeling that has kept people coming back for the last 65 years. The school offers preschool through 8th grade, and it’s now teaching the

Students in uniform at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in west Vancouver. Photo courtesy Our Lady of Lourdes.

Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine. com for links to Rooted School Vancouver, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and Vancouver Virtual Learning Academy.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

grandchildren of former students. “It’s a very warm, welcoming, friendly place to be. There is a special something in the air, and you get it when you come around.” Pynenburg would know, since her own children attended the school. “It’s the golden rule. Doing unto others as you do to yourself, looking out for others, and being kind and compassionate. We teach a lot about being kind and thoughtful here, and I think that’s part of what sets us apart. We are always reaching out to see how we can be of service.” Tuition and fees at Our Lady of Lourdes vary, depending on age (preschool versus K-8), with tuition assistance available. More than ever, many alternatives to the traditional education model can be found in Clark County. With so many choices in Southwest Washington, parents are sure to find one that suits their child’s needs and has a built-in community waiting to embrace them.

Kristen Flowers is the host of the morning show, Nick and Kristen in the Morning on 99.5 The Wolf. She lives in Vancouver and currently blogs for her own website, www. AccordingtoKristen.com. She moderates the Positive Parenting Posse group on Facebook, a page dedicated to sharing positive and helpful tips about parenting. In her spare time, she’s working on her debut novel and making everything she possibly can on her new Cricut maker.

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Feature: NW Getaway: Summertime in Leavenworth

M E

S U

M E R T I

NW GETAW AY

By Nikki Klock

A beloved alpine village straight out of Grimm’s Fairy Tales (or “The Sound of Music” if Grimm is too grim for you), Leavenworth has been a unique Pacific Northwest destination for more than 50 years. The remote town in central Washington was incorporated in 1906 as a small timber community, but as railroad lines rerouted to nearby Wenatchee, population and business waned. The economic downturn prompted city officials in the 1960s to emphasize tourism by theming the town as a Bavarian village, similar to California’s Danish-themed town of Solvang. Ever since the makeover, tourists from Seattle and all over the Pacific Northwest have visited the charming town to get a taste of the Bavarian culture (and the sausage and beer) without crossing the ocean. Leavenworth is most famous for its Christmastime lights and festivities, but the town hosts festivals all year round, from Winter Karneval in January, to Love from Leavenworth in February, to Maifest in the spring. (Oktoberfest moved to Wenatchee, just 30 minutes away, in 2022.) While none of the signature festivals take place June through August, the almost-always sunny summer weather feels like a festival unto itself, beckon-

ing visitors (especially from the wetter west) to hike, bike, golf, swim, stroll, eat and drink amid Leavenworth’s unique natural and built environment. In June, my husband and I took one of our daughters to experience the charm.

Bavarian Smorgasbord Having endured a too-long drive from Vancouver through nasty Seattle metro traffic and driving rain, we were delighted when the sun peeked through the clouds just as we passed through the final canyon and entered Leavenworth’s city limits. First on our agenda was a good meal. We parked at our hotel and walked to Front Street, the enchanting main avenue of Leavenworth where every building is Bavarian-themed, and the road is closed to auto traffic, creating a town square. We headed to one of German-est of the town’s restaurants: München Haus, which serves a variety of sausages (on delicious toasty buns) and draft beers, plus soft pretzels with cheese sauce at their open-air patio and balcony. Sauerkraut and more than a dozen varieties of mustard round out the German culinary experience. We enjoyed live classic rock music from the balcony while we dined, then walked continued on page 22

Top left: “Live music at München Haus. Bottom left: Ice cream cone from Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co. Full page right: Wooden nutcracker sculpture in the town square of Leavenworth. All photos courtesy Nikki and JR Klock unless otherwise noted.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

continued on page 20

Navy veteran. Hospital pianist. Spine surgeon.

Meet Nelson tvc.org/meet-nelson Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Feature: NW Getaway: Summertime in Leavenworth (cont'd) continued from page 20

across the street to enjoy ice cream cones at Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co. for dessert. Well fed, we checked into Enzian Inn, just a couple of blocks from Front Street. The 100-room hotel was built in the 1980s and matches the town’s Bavarian architecture. We took a dip in the hotel’s indoor pool and hot tub, then called it a night.

Horseback Riding at Eagle Creek Ranch Our first morning in Leavenworth was beautiful and sunny (as was our entire weekend, it turned out), which was a stroke of luck, given the fact that the region had received record spring rainfall. In fact, the rains had been so heavy in the months prior to our arrival that we had been forced to cancel our original plan of whitewater rafting on the Wenatchee River due to high water levels that increased the speed of the river flow and the likelihood of capsizing. Instead, we opted for horseback riding at Eagle Creek Ranch, about 20 minutes outside of town. We ate a hearty breakfast at Enzian Inn, where a traditional alphorn performance greets guests and outside onlookers each morning, then headed out of town. Eagle Creek Ranch owners and proprietors, Susan and Michael Hagan, have lived on the ranch since the 1990s, raising their sons there and leading horseback riding groups through their 6-acre property and the neighboring OkanoganWenatchee National Forest, including a portion of a trail that was blazed by settlers in the 1800s. The historic barn was built in 1911 and still shelters their horses that we got to meet upon our arrival. After signing waivers and paying $50 per person, we mounted our gentle steeds with help from our guide and were off. We took the 3-mile ride with two other people, making ours a party of six. (Shorter and longer rides are available, including a short 8-minute “horsie ride” option for small children, and sleigh rides in the winter.) The ride was beautiful and peaceful, winding through shaded forests and open meadows in the

Top: Horseback riding at Eagle Creek Ranch outside Leavenworth. Bottom: A traditional alphorn is played daily by a performer in costume from the Enzian Inn balcony.

continued on page 24

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Feature: NW Getaway: Summertime in Leavenworth (cont'd) continued from page 22

lush valley. Other than taking an occasional photo or video, my phone was stowed safely away during the ride, and the only sounds were the occasional comments from our guide, the birds and the streams we passed, making it a lovely meditative experience. Right at the end as we circled back to the barn area, we spotted a deer exploring the same terrain we had just covered. After the ride, our guide allowed our daughter to spend a few extra minutes with her horse, Freckles, before we said goodbye and headed back into town.

Hiking Icicle Ridge We grabbed a short lunch, again at München Haus, then drove just a couple of miles away to the Icicle Ridge Trailhead. Parking at the trailhead was free but sparse—its easy access from town makes

this trail one of the most popular in the area. It’s also one of the more difficult climbs, with steep switchbacks that gave our legs a serious workout that we all felt the next day. It was more than worth it though. We reached the top of the ridge to find stunning 360-degree views of the entire valley and neighboring snow-patched mountain peaks. The AllTrails app lists the round trip as 5.1 miles, but my watch clocked us at 5.75 miles. Either way, it was a fantastic hike. For individuals and families who aren’t up for a strenuous climb, Leavenworth’s Waterfront Park Trail, which I explored on my own the following morning, is a totally flat, wide trail that winds along the Wenatchee River and through quiet riverbank forests. The trail, easily accessible

Bottom: View from the top of Icicle Ridge Trail. Inset: Enzian Inn’s all-greens mini-golf course.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

from downtown Leavenworth, features benches for sitting, a couple of bridges and interpretive signs that expound on the surrounding natural and cultural history.

Fore! After a break in our hotel room to recover from the difficult hike, we played a round of mini golf at the course across the street from Enzian Inn. The course is owned by Enzian Inn, and guests golf free—putters, balls and score cards are available in the lobby. The term “mini golf” definitely doesn’t do the course justice, however. The 18 holes are short, but the beautiful course is all greens, continued on page 26

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Feature: NW Getaway: Summertime in Leavenworth (cont'd) continued from page 24

no gimmicks, and features a waterfall, mature trees and real goats grazing in a fenced-in plot of land bordering the course. After a 3-mile horseback ride, a 5-mile hike and 18 holes of golf, we hungrily ate a delectable dinner at Sulla Vita, where the desserts were the star! We tried them all: chocolate a l’Orange (a rich mousse pie), cheesecake with raspberry sauce and caramelized bread pudding. The following day would be our last in Leavenworth, and our morning activity would be a fitting finale.

Up on the Housetop Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is a place unlike any other. We arrived at our 10 am reservation time to what looked like a very well-maintained farm, with Disney music playing on speakers as we approached the entrance. We were greeted by an employee who noted our names on the list and asked if we’d been around any sheep or goats in the previous couple of days. An odd question, but one that is important to protecting the farm’s reindeer from an airborne spore that is deadly to reindeer; if you regularly spend time with goats or sheep, you’ll want to abstain for a couple of days before visiting Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. We sponged our

shoes on a cleansing mat before entering the barn/gift shop. As someone who hates gift shops, I can say with delight that Leavenworth Reindeer Farm’s is the best I’ve ever seen. It’s a Christmas wonderland all year round, with expertly designed and decorated shelves of ornaments, souvenirs, clothing, toys, décor, hats and more. There’s even a lighted photo set for the family to pose on a wreath-mounted sleigh. We would explore this gift shop more after our reindeer encounter, but first we gathered with our fellow time-slotted guests for to learn how in the world a reindeer farm came to Leavenworth, Washington and to be instructed on how to approach the reindeer, whom we would meet shortly. The speaker introduced herself as Erika, a daughter of Hans Christian Andersen—her Norwegian father’s actual given name— who, along with three generations of his family, started the reindeer farm in 2016 when they procured their first group of three pregnant female reindeer from Alaska. The first baby reindeer was born on the farm in 2017, and the family has been breeding and caring for reindeer ever since. It turns out they picked the perfect place to raise this particular animal: the world’s largest reindeer herds are found in Mongolia, Erika explained, which happens to sit on the

Top right: A reindeer named Sven watches over his baby at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. Bottom left: In addition to reindeer, visitors to Leavenworth Reindeer Farm can encounter chickens, turkeys and bunnies. Bottom right: A carriage ride along Leavenworth’s Front Street.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

same latitude as Leavenworth. Erika went on to explain that both male and female reindeer have antlers (not horns) that start growing at around four weeks of age, and can grow up to one inch per day until they shed them once a year. After learning a few more facts about reindeer and getting some instructions about how to approach the animals safely, we were led to the main event: entering the enclosure that is home to the entire herd of 28 reindeer. Each visitor got continued on page 28

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Feature: NW Getaway: Summertime in Leavenworth (cont'd) continued from page 26

to choose between a handful of kibble-type reindeer food, or a branch with leaves for the reindeer to nibble. Meeting the gentle animals was simply magical. We were the first group of the day, so they were eager to eat from our hands, which was completely safe since reindeer don’t have teeth like ours. We watched new babies, born just this last spring, nurse from their mothers, while farm employees were on hand to take photos, answer questions and tell us each animal’s name. After about 20 minutes with the reindeer, our group moved from the enclosure to another section of the farm to see bunnies, turkeys and chickens and to shop at the (did I mention amazing?) gift shop. We bought a Leavenworth Reindeer Farm Christmas tree ornament— the first souvenir I’ve purchased in years. Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is one of the most popular attractions in Leavenworth all year round, so reservations are required. Tickets are $25 for ages 3 and up (under age 3 is free), and the total tour is about an hour long. Be sure to wear close-toed shoes or boots that can get dirty! Learn more at LeavenworthReindeer.com.

Leaving Leavenworth It was time to say auf Wiedersehen to Leavenworth, but we couldn’t do so without one more stroll down Front Street, where local artists were selling their wares at Village Art in the Park, which runs every weekend May-October. My daughter also had to get one last Coco Loco ice cream cone at Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co., where a line had started forming well before they opened at noon. Our time in the land of fairy tales was amazing, and we look forward to visiting again—next time during the most wonderful time of the year. Learn more about Leavenworth’s festivals, restaurants, lodging, recreation, attractions and more at Leavenworth.org.

Top: Rhein Haus, Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co. and other Leavenworth businesses at dusk. Bottom left: München Haus serves a variety of sausages and beers, plus sauerkraut and over a dozen types of mustard. Bottom right: The Danish Bakery and other Bavarian-themed shops along Leavenworth’s Front Street.

Nikki Klock has been the editor of Vancouver Family Magazine since 2006. She reads obsessively, runs daily and loves to explore the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Feature: On the Brink: Housing Vulnerability in Vancouver

Homelessness

O n th e

Bri n k:

By Sara Giza

ike many metropolitan areas in Washington, Clark County has experienced a surge in homelessness during and since the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no simple solution to this problem, but most citizens agree it is time to do more to prevent people and families from becoming homeless and to help those living on the streets to find stable housing. The reality is that many of us are on the brink—one missed paycheck, unexpected bill, or house sale away from being in an unstable living situation.

A New Move Local resident Jane Brosseau and her family would fall in this category. Brosseau and

H o u si n g V u ln era bi li t y i n Va n c o u ver

her husband lived with their 10 children, who currently range from 3-18 years old, in northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., for 16 years before moving to Clark County. “Prior to COVID, I had thought we could never move. We could never pick up our huge family and move across the country,” she recalled. “Then COVID hit, and we had all of those months in quarantine to think about what we really wanted.” While they loved Virginia, it was very fastpaced and competitive. “We had been running on that hamster wheel for so long and really wanted a lifestyle change,” Brosseau explained. Some friends had moved to Portland a few years ago and recommended that the family look into Camas. “One friend kept telling me ‘I think it would be a good option for your family. They have great schools and activities [and] lots of outdoor stuff.’” She started researching the area. “We wanted to see if the grass was greener on the West Coast,” Brosseau said. “We wanted something different. We just made a huge leap of faith. We packed everything up and drove across the country, with 10 kids and a dog.” The family arrived in August 2020 and found Jane and Bill Brosseau and their 10 children found themselves at risk of homelessness when home prices skyrocketed in 2021 due to high demand and low inventory. Photo courtesy Jane Brosseau.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

is by no means a new societal problem. What is new is the speed at which the rate of homelessness is growing and that many people, despite being fully employed, are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with housing costs.

a rental that seemed like the perfect fit as their new home. The house had originally been for sale, but due to the quarantine, the owner could not sell it and changed it into a rental. The Brosseaus shared with the owner their desire to buy the house, as soon as the closing logistics of their previous home in Virginia were settled. “It was such a great home for our family. It was within walking distance of the elementary school, super nice neighbors, just a great fit,” Brosseau said. “We had to wait until around January or February 2021 for everything to be settled before we could apply for a mortgage. The owners were aware of all of that.” Then, unexpectedly, housing prices increased dramatically with more people moving to Clark County than ever before. “We naively didn’t get [our arrangement] in writing, and we should have,” Brosseau shared. “In spring of 2021 they said ‘Hey, unless you are willing to pay $200,000 more, we’re putting the house on the market . . . and you need to get out as soon as you can.’” Their lease was through July 31 of 2021. They started applying for another rental home as soon as they could. “Unfortunately, not only had the house we were living in gone up in price, but everything had also gone up in price. At that point, we were just scrambling to try and find the next place we could go. We were just in so much shock that we were continued on next page

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just putting one foot in front of the other. Everything we had planned on was now completely gone. Our kids had thought that we were going to buy this house and we had made some mistakes along the way as well. We should not have thought this was a done deal. It was really earth-shaking to us,” she said of the experience. “The rental market was so hot that my husband was up at 6 o’clock in the morning looking. We would apply first thing and already be 10th in line. Then, even the ones where we were further up, they would say, ‘Oh, we cannot legally rent to you, because of how many people you have [in your family].’ And, they did not need to, because they had 20 other applications behind us. We just kept getting turned down and turned down,” Brosseau remembered. They had never faced that kind of discrimination before. Part of the issue was supply and demand. The other component was the size of their

family. They would call rentals as soon as they came up, only to be laughed at. The general response seemed to be, “There’s no way we’re renting to a family of 12 with two dogs.” Even with cash in hand, property owners and management companies were not interested at all. The panic and anxiety she and her spouse felt as parents when they did not know if they’d have a safe place for their children to sleep was all-consuming. Even when taking her kids to the park, Brosseau would look around and wonder if they could camp there for a few weeks if needed. The stress continued to increase day by day, because they could not afford multiple hotel rooms for the amount of time needed. Down to the wire, the Brosseaus finally found a property owner willing to rent to them. He understood their situation because he had grown up in a large family himself. “When I think about it now, it was such a crazy time. My husband and I were not prepared for any of that to hap-

A total of

1,197 people were experiencing homelessness in Clark County as counted on February 24, 2022.

This is an increase of 31% from 2020, the last time the Point in Time count was conducted.

continued on page 32 Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Feature: On the Brink: Housing Vulnerability in Vancouver (cont'd) continued from page 31

pen,” Brosseau said, adding, “It was really scary. It was one of the most stressful times that we have had as a family. [We] never [thought] that we were going to be housing vulnerable, because of the size of our family.” Brosseau posted about their experience on social media. A lot of her followers ended up sending her messages saying that they had experienced the same thing. Many were also from larger families. The messages of solidarity included details of how they were discriminated against or of how once they got into a rental, the property owner would ask for more money or a larger deposit because of the size of their family. “It is really such a shame because everything that happened really kind of left a bad taste in my mouth about moving here,” Brosseau explained. “The schools are great, and my kids have been able to make some friends. But, I just have not really been able to move past it. Our future here is uncertain because in the Camas area, there’s just not affordable housing in the size that we need. Right now I honestly do not know what the next six months to a year will bring . . . I feel like I have just been on high alert and running on adrenaline in a highanxiety

environment for a long time and I do not see an end right now. I am so thankful that we have a rental now and we have got a good place to live, but this isn’t forever. This is still a short-term solution.” Sadly, this is an all-too-common experience that far too many people can relate to.

Diving into the Data: How Officials Plan for Growing Housing Needs The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides housing data for the City of Vancouver, compiled from the Census 5-year American Community Survey data, called the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS). The most current information available from HUD reflects an increase of households considered “housing cost burdened,” defined as a household that pays more than 30% of income towards housing costs. There were 15,389 in the years 2013-2017 which grew to 24,050 in the 2014-2018 period. Additionally, severely cost burdened households grew from 7,024 households to 9,870. Other data used to assess housing vulnerability comes from Council for the Homeless’ recently published Homeless Point in Time Count, which found homelessness in our community is increasing. A total of 1,197 people were experiencing homelessness in Clark County as counted on February 24, 2022. This is

an increase of 31% from 2020, the last time the Point in Time count was conducted. Samantha Whitley, housing programs manager for the City of Vancouver, reports that lack of supply is a large factor negatively contributing to this issue. “Washington State has the fewest number of housing units per household of any state in the country,” Whitley explained. “ECO Northwest reports that as of 2019, there were 4,000 units underproduced in the City of Vancouver, and 13,500 units underproduced in Clark County. The underproduction of housing directly leads to increased rents and housing prices. The cost of housing has been outpacing wage growth for many years.” Whitley pointed out that another factor leading to increased housing cost is population growth. “According to the U.S. Census, Clark County is growing twice as fast as the other [neighboring] metro counties: Clackamas, Multnomah, or Washington County, Oregon. The Washington State Office of Financial Management noted that 4,900 people moved to Vancouver during the pandemic,” she said. According to Whitley, the City of Vancouver is focused on both helping individuals maintain their housing and building new affordable homes. “Vancouver’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) levy was approved by voters in November 2016 to continued on next page

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

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collect $42 million over a seven-year period, through 2023. To date, the AHF has helped build or preserve 885 affordable units in Vancouver. AHF funding has also helped over 1,500 households attain or maintain their housing with rental assistance. The AHF also supports emergency shelter; all households served by the AHF earn less than 50% of area median in-

come,” she said of their plan to tackle this issue. “The investment of AHF funding is particularly impactful since it helps unlock funding from a range of other public and private sources to expand the number of units that can be preserved or created. Each $1 invested by the AHF attracted an additional $8 in funding, stretching valuable local tax dollars to help more households,” Whitley explained. “Any increase in the supply of housing will

help with availability and affordability. Vancouver is also considering changes to its Multifamily Tax Exemption program and has been working on zoning changes to further support housing development.” continued on page 34

Pages 32-33: Affordable housing complexes (leftright), Caples Terrace, The Pacific and Meriwether Place in Vancouver. Photo courtesy City of Vancouver.

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Feature: On the Brink: Housing Vulnerability in Vancouver (cont'd) continued from page 33

Charlene Welch, development and communication director at Council for the Homeless reports that last year, 4,036 households experienced homelessness at any given time throughout the year. Twenty-four percent of those households were families with children. According to Welch, COVID-19 contributed to the increase we have seen in housing vulnerability due to “the number of families who experienced job loss, lost hours at work, had illness, physical and mental health challenges and the challenges of navigating changes to schools and childcare.” She also credits high and increasing rents, along with a lack of housing available to people of different incomes as main drivers of homelessness.

Where to Find Help Council for the Homeless’ Housing Solutions Center (HSC) is the coordinated entry point for publicly funded housing programs in Vancouver and Clark County. The Housing Hotline is the access point for emergency shelter, transitional housing programs, severe weather shelter, supportive housing programs, and time-limited rental assistance offered by Council for the Homeless and partners. Housing Hotline staff who answer calls can also provide connection to housing resources such as mediation or legal assistance for eviction cases, and other community supports.

Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine.com for links to shelter and housing assistance resources in Clark County. “When people experiencing homelessness contact our Housing Hotline for assistance, our compassionate and trained staff conduct an intake to fully understand the person or family’s needs,” Welch said. “People may need either a relatively small amount of help, a large amount, and everything in between. Our programs, and those of our partners, are designed to help people be safe if they are living outside or in their car, access emergency shelter, connect to resources such as food or childcare, housing assistance including coaching and one-time financial assistance to end one’s homelessness and move into a new home, as well as long term housing support and case management. We match their needs and strengths to their best-fit housing solution for them.”

help a family end their homelessness and settle into a new home.” We can also choose to become more educated on this issue. There is not a singular face or cause of houselessness. Informational webinars are available on the Council for the Homeless’ website, CouncilForTheHomeless.org. And, never underestimate the transformative power of kindness. As Welch shared, “If you see a person or family you think is experiencing homelessness, be kind. Your smile may be the only one they receive that day. Housing is a human need. A large part of solving homelessness is recognizing the humanity of people who are currently unhoused.” A smile is certainly something we can all spare.

How to Make an Impact Clark Country residents can make a difference and reduce housing vulnerability for our neighbors in many ways. As expected, financial donations are always critical. Welch shared, “The need for housing assistance outpaces the availability of resources. It takes approximately $3,000 to

Sara Giza is a freelance writer based in Vancouver, Washington. She has been a stinger for LEO Weekly and The VoiceTribune in Kentucky, as well as for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers and Vero Beach Magazine in Florida. Most recently, she’s been a feature writer and senior editor for Embrace Magazine. Connect with her on Instagram @searingsara

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GIRLFRIENDS TRIATHLON & FITNESS FESTIVAL

COLUMBIA RIVER TRIATHLON FESTIVAL

August 12-13, 2022

August 14, 2022

• Kids Triathlon • Sunset 10K & 5K • Olympic & Sprint Tri/Du/Aquabike/Paddle

• 5K • Olympic • Sprint Tri • Du/Aquabike/Paddle

Benefiting Our City Cares

Benefiting Our City Cares & Ainsleys Angels

COOL SWAG FOR ALL REGISTERED: TECHSHIRT, MEDAL AND ATHLETE GIFT!

SAVE 10% USING PROMO CODE WHYVANCOUVERFAMILY KIDS 12 AND UNDER RACE FOR FREE AGES 13-17 RACE FOR 50% OFF

PEACEHEALTH APPLETREE

MARATHON, HALF & 5K September 17-18, 2022

• Sunset 5K • Marathon & Half Marathon • Health and Wellness Expo • Beast Coin for racing both days!

SCARY RUN • WASHOUGAL October 30, 2022 • 5K • 10K • Half Marathon Benefiting local schools, sport clubs and non-profits

Benefiting Police Activities League

COOL SWAG FOR ALL REGISTERED: TECHSHIRT, MEDAL AND ATHLETE GIFT!

SAVE 10% USING PROMO CODE WHYVANCOUVERFAMILY KIDS 12 AND UNDER RACE FOR FREE AGES 13-17 RACE FOR 50% OFF

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

CALENDAR OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Calendar

August '22 S M 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

W 3 10 17 24 31

T 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

S 6 13 20 27

2 TUESDAY

National Night Out with Woodland Police Department at Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland. Enjoy free food, child safety education, emergency vehicles, and connecting with local law enforcement officers. 6-8 pm Washougal National Night Out and Movie Night at Hathaway Park, 732 25th St., Washougal. Washougal Police Department and City of Washougal will participate in National Night Out, hosting an ice cream social and a screening of “Zootopia.” Free giveaways, safety demonstrations and a selfie station! Activities start at 7 and the movie begins at dusk. 7 pm

3 WEDNESDAY

Musicians in the Park at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield. A music filled lunch hour, featuring Kit Garoutte – Fingerstyle Jazz/Pop. 12 pm

4 THURSDAY

Journey Theater presents “The Little Mermaid” at Parkrose High School. 12003 NE Shaver St., Portland. Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” based on the beloved story by Hans Christian Andersen. Tickets $22 for adults and $15 for youth and seniors, available at journeytheater.org. 7 pm Movies in the Park at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Load up your friends, pack some snacks (or purchase tasty treats from one of our vendors), and come have a good time together! “The Wedding Singer” (PG-13) will be showing. Movie begins at dusk. 9 pm

5 FRIDAY

Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds, 17402 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. The fair is back this year! With concerts, booths, family activities, carnival rides, games, grandstand events, contests and more! More info at clarkcofair.com. 8 am-11 pm

of events

activities

Have a community event that you want to share? Go to www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com and click on “Calendar” to submit your event. Deadline for print calendar submissions is the 1st of the month prior to the issue.

Events are subject to change. Please contact organization directly to confirm.

Check out our website for even mo re local events .

Family Fun Fridays at Crown Park, 120 NE 17th Ave., Camas. Camas Parks & Rec is partnering with Columbia Play Project this year to give you new experiences in a variety of neighborhood parks. Columbia Play Project is dedicated to creating exploratory play spaces for the young and young-at-heart. Ongoing, atwill activities vary and may include exploratory play, toys, giant bubbles, stomp rockets, chalk art and more. Activities are fun for all ages but designed for ages 12 and younger in mind. 11:30 am-1:30 pm

City of Camas Movies in the Park at Crown Park, 120 NE 17th Ave., Camas. This week: “Guardians of the Galaxy.” 8:45 pm

Friday Night Cruise-In at Alderbrook Park, 24414 NE Westerholm Rd., Brush Prairie. All special interest cars, trucks and bikes welcome. Spectators: $5 per person, participants: $10 per carload/motorcycles $5. Live music, cafe, beer garden and snack shack open for takeout orders. 4 pm

Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Races at Ridgefield Waterfront. 8 am-4 pm

Camas First Friday in Downtown Camas: “Summer Fun & Flamingos!” Get ready to party like a flock star! Games in downtown businesses and enter to win great prizes! Flamingo crafts for kids at LiveWell Camas. Live outdoor music and dining by Mesa. Shop, dine, and stay cool! 5-8 pm Waterfront Park Concert Series at Vancouver Waterfront Park. Music sounds even sweeter with sweeping views of the Columbia River! This week, Mbrascatu. 6 pm Ridgefield Raptors Game vs Corvallis Knights at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, 3101 S Hillhurst Rd. Tickets $5+. 6:30 pm Friday Night Movies in the Park at Fruit Valley Neighborhood Park, 3200 Fruit Valley Rd., Vancouver. The City of Vancouver is proud to present six movies at parks around the city this summer, free to you! Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy big screen entertainment. This week: “Cruella.” Movie begins at dusk. 7 pm

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Friday Night Flicks at the Port of Ridgefield, 111 W Division St. Clark County Historical Museum is hosting, showing “Night at the Museum.” Doors open at 7:30 pm with activities and food. Small cars with up to 4 guests $25, large car 5+ guests $40. 7:30-11 pm

6 SATURDAY

Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds. See August 5 for more details. 10 am-11 pm Pomeroy Farm Days at 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. Tour the farm’s historic grounds, encounter farm animals, and shop local artisans and vendors. Kids can enjoy various yard games and a fun iSpy activity around the property. 11 am-5 pm Ridgefield Forest Fair at Abrams Park. Free event with over 30 artists/artisan booths, live music, a beer/wine garden, and food, plus Tiny Garden Contest and a Tiny Parade. Performances from Upfront Band (Jazz), Bigfoot Mojo, and Rekless Kompany. 11 am-7 pm Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Much Ado About Nothing” Free Shakespeare in the Park at Mended Oak Winery, 10209 NE 299th St., Battle Ground. Bring a blanket, lawn chair and picnic dinner for this free, one-of-a-kind experience. 6 pm

7 SUNDAY

Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds. See August 5 for more details. 10 am-10 pm continued on page 38

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

Calendar of Events & Activities (cont’d) continued from page 36 Pomeroy Farm Days at 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. See August 6 for more details. 11 am-5 pm Ridgefield Raptors Game vs Corvallis Knights at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, 3101 S Hillhurst Rd. Tickets $5+. 1 pm Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Much Ado About Nothing” Free Shakespeare in the Park at Mended Oak Winery, See August 6 for more details. 6 pm Sunday Sounds Concerts at Columbia Tech Center, 1498 SE Tech Center Dr., Vancouver. Check out the beautiful new amphitheater while enjoying an eclectic mix of music in east Vancouver. A few vendors may have food and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Attendees are welcome to bring their own pre-prepared food and picnic fare. This week: Kalimba. 6 pm

8 MONDAY Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds. See August 5 for more details. 10 am-10 pm

9 TUESDAY

Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds. See August 5 for more details. 10 am-10 pm

10 WEDNESDAY

Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds. See August 5 for more details. 10 am-10 pm Musicians in the Park at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield. A music filled lunch hour, Lonesome Dewey & The Coyotes – Americana. 12 pm

11 THURSDAY

Waterfront Park Concert Series at Vancouver Waterfront Park. Music sounds even sweeter with sweeping views of the Columbia River! This week, LaRhonda Steele. 6 pm Friday Night Movies in the Park at Hearthwood Neighborhood Park, 801 NE Hearthwood Blvd., Vancouver. The City of Vancouver is proud to present six movies at parks around the city this summer, free to you! Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy big screen entertainment. This week: “Eternals.” 7 pm Camas Movies in the Park at Crown Park, 120 NE 17th Ave., Camas. This week: “Raya and the Last Dragon.” 8:30 pm

13 SATURDAY

Downtown Alley Flea Market at 606 Main St., Vancouver. Peruse 15-20 vendors and small businesses selling antiques and vintage items, furniture, books, collectibles, candles, garden tools, home decor, artwork and more. 9 am-4 pm Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds. See August 5 for more details. 10 am-11 pm

14 SUNDAY

Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds. See August 5 for more details. 10 am-10 pm Sunday Sounds Concerts at Columbia Tech Center. See August 7 for more details. This week: 5 Guys Named Moe. 6 pm

17 WEDNESDAY

Musicians in the Park at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield. A music filled lunch hour, featuring Siena Christie – CountryFolk. 12 pm

18 THURSDAY

Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds. See August 5 for more details. 10 am-10 pm

Movies in the Park at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. See August 4 for more details. This week: “Roy Orbison & Friends – A Black and White Night” (not rated). 9 pm

12 FRIDAY

19 FRIDAY

Clark County Fair at Clark County Fairgrounds. See August 5 for more details. 10 am-10 pm Family Fun Fridays at Dorothy Fox Park, 2023 NW 23rd Ave., Camas. See August 5 for more details. 11:30 am-1:30 pm Friday Night Cruise-In at Alderbrook Park. See August 5 for more details. 4 pm

Family Fun Fridays at Louis Bloch Park, 160 NE Joy St., Camas. See August 5 for more details. 11:30 am-1:30 pm Hoops for H.O.P.E at Vancouver Mall. A fun-filled destination weekend event. Teams of all ages and skill levels, families, and sports enthusiasts are all welcome! Center Court will showcase players in our community, demonstrate their skills in Slam Dunk contests,

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

3-point shoot-outs, and other fun activities! This event will benefit low-income families of our community and help fund a scholarship to give youth the support they need to pursue their talents and passion, attend various sports camps, play league sports, or other activities that will enrich their lives– on and off the court. 12-4 pm Friday Night Cruise-In at Alderbrook Park. See August 5 for more details. 4 pm Night Market Vancouver at Clark College 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Discover local brands and shop products from 60+ local vendors. Enjoy live music, a DJ, dance lessons & more! Food/drinks available for purchase. All ages. Leashed pets welcome. Entry $5, ages 12 and under free. 4:30-8:30 pm Camas Movies in the Park at Crown Park, 120 NE 17th Ave., Camas. This week: “Sing 2.” 8:30 pm

20 SATURDAY

End of Summer Party at Camas Public Library. Join in the end-of-summer fun! Raffle winners for the Summer Reading Program, cake, juice, and dance music for kids. Register online at cityofcamas.us/library. 2-3 pm LGBTQ+ Acoustic Music Open Mic at Dandelion Teahouse, 109 W 7th St, Vancouver. Sign-ups begin at 3:45 pm, time slots start at 5 minutes or two songs. Please be prepared to come back up for another song if there is time, mask up if you are not performing or actively eating or drinking. 3:45-5:30 pm Farm to Table at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield.. An outdoor community dining experience to showcase our local farmers, wineries, brewers and caterers. The evening begins with cocktail hour complete with appetizers and live music on the plaza in beautiful Downtown Ridgefield overlooking the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, followed by dinner catered by KillaBites. This event will be held Rain or Shine, so please dress for the weather. Beer and wine will be served with dinner. This is a 21+ event. Tickets and seats must be reserved ahead of time, $75. See https://ridgefieldwa.us/event/farm-totable/2022-08-20/ for the menu, tickets and full details. 6 pm

24 WEDNESDAY

Musicians in the Park at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield. A music filled lunch hour, featuring Tried and Blue-Bluegrass. 12 pm continued on next page

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26 FRIDAY

Family Fun Fridays at Grass Valley Park, 3211 NW 38th Ave., Camas. See August 5 for more details. 11:30 am-1:30 pm Friday Night Cruise-In at Alderbrook Park. See August 5 for more details. 4 pm Camas Movies in the Park at Crown Park, 120 NE 17th Ave., Camas. This week: “Encanto.” 8:30 pm

27 SATURDAY

Wheels & Wings at Port of Camas-Washougal. Come check out some cool classic cars and airplanes and enjoy a free hotdog! 11 am-3 pm

Washougal Movie Night at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main St., Washougal. Pre-show activities begin at 8 pm and movies start at dusk. Bring your own chairs and blankets! Concessions may be available. This week: “The Sandlot.” 8 pm

30 TUESDAY

Twilight Tuesday: Bats at Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver. Join a Water Center educator and a long-time bat volunteer from US Fish and Wildlife Service in search of bats around the wetlands. Learn about what makes good bat habitat and listen for their otherwise inaudible ultrasonic calls with a bat detector. Advance registration is required at cityofvancouver. us/publicworks/webform/twilight-tuesdaybats. Event is limited to 15 participants. The

program is suitable for ages 8 and older, although all ages are welcome. 7-8:30 pm

31 WEDNESDAY

Musicians in the Park at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield. A music filled lunch hour, featuring Arbielle-Modern Folk. 12 pm

advertiser index Camps & Classes Camp Hope....................................................17 iSTEM Academy.............................................13 Journey Theater.............................................17 The Little Gym................................................29 Naydenov Gymnastics Fun Center................39 Events Children's Festival..........................................25 Columbia River Triathlon Festival...................35 Girlfriends Triathlon and Fitness Festival.......35 PeaceHealth Appletree Marathon, Half & 5k..35 Scary Run Washougal....................................35 Vancouver Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services..............................................5 Fitness The Little Gym................................................29 Naydenov Gymnastics Fun Center................39

Health Adventure Dental............................................23 All Star Orthodontics......................................37 Barnick Chiropractic.......................................11 Child and Adolescent Clinic..............................3 Evergreen Pediatrics......................................31 PeaceHealth.....................................................2 Priority Life Chiropractic and Massage...........39 Storybook Dental............................................33 Vancouver Clinic.............................................21

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Legal Schauermann Thayer.....................................27 Resources Applied Team Insurance...................................9 Clark County Junk Removal...........................15 ESD112......................................................9, 33 Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Seminars.............23 Our City Cares................................................19 WA529..............................................................7

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2022

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Vancouver Family Magazine August 2022

Articles inside

Calendar of Events & Activities

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