NEXT STEPS: Young Adults Find Support and Mentoring on Their Career Path

By Kate Hagan Gallup

Note: This article briefly mentions suicidal ideation.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 93% of Clark County residents age 25 and older have at least a high school diploma. Many have higher education or advanced vocational skills as well; therefore, teens and young adults approaching the career stage of their lives are likely to face stiff competition for the best local jobs. A program called Next, offered through Workforce of Southwest Washington (WSW), seeks to prepare young people age 16-24 to compete for these jobs, whether they are in or out of school. “Next is essentially a one-stop center for young adults . . . we basically help them wherever they’re at in their life,” says Next’s director, Haley Hansen. “Whatever their next step might look like for them, we help them get there.”

What’s Next?

The name Next refers not only to the sequential steps in career progress, but all the supports young adults need to keep moving toward their goals. Described as “holistic support and training,” clients can get guidance on resume writing and practice interviewing, plus connections to internships within our region. In addition to job support, the career coaching aspect helps young adults develop soft skills like time management that employers are looking for. “[We offer] young adults a foot in the door to growing industries by partnering with local businesses to fill open jobs and create internships,” says Hansen.

For many young adults seeking a job, unique challenges such as transportation and childcare can make their search extra difficult. Next addresses these barriers by connecting them to services, and even to basic needs like showers or housing if necessary. Food assistance, as well as financial guidance like creating a budget or balancing a checkbook, are also available. Director of communications at WSW, Julia Maglione, says, “We’ve been told that some youth hear about Next and don’t check it out because it sounds ‘too good to be true.’ We want them to know that it’s real.”

Next was founded by Workforce Southwest Washington in 2018 in collaboration with Educational Service District 112, Partners in Careers, Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region, Equus Workforce Solutions and Job Corps. Maglione explains that as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, WSW is awarded “federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) [funds] from the federal government, and then we put those out into the community.” In other words, Next is the boots on the ground team in Clark and Cowlitz counties working to increase employment for our region’s young people (though job placement may extend to Wahkiakum and Multnomah counties as well).

The Need for Support

One lesson learned from the pandemic years is that the younger generation needs continued on page 26 places to gather and socialize to build their confidence. With this in mind, Next was built to provide “a clear pathway to work, training or post-secondary education” along with that “safe space to connect”— and eligibility is broader than other WSW services, making it very accessible.

While teens are included in these services, a study by The Brookings Institute identifies the importance of making sure young adults age 20-24 do not become “disconnected,” meaning neither employed nor in school. The findings note that many young persons are “missing key educational and employment experiences” that can lead to increased risks of lengthy unemployment, poverty, criminal behavior and substance abuse. Disconnected young adults, sadly, can have a negative impact on the community, so preventing the problem with community support is a logical solution. While some may focus on how these youth came to need support in the first place, that’s not the mission of Next. Instead, Next works to provide the missing connections and help move young adults forward.

Highlight on Mental Health

While the education and career services at Next are best known, extensive mental health support is available too. Over the pandemic, National Institutes of Health declared mental health problems and impairments for youth and adults had reached “crisis” levels. Many experts believe the pandemic brought more awareness to an already elevated problem. Lead author Jean Twenge, PhD was quoted by the American Psychological Association in 2019 as saying, “More U.S. adolescents and young adults in the late 2010s, versus the mid-2000s, experienced serious psychological distress, major depression or suicidal thoughts, and more attempted suicide.”

“I definitely think one of the services that we offer that is very underutilized is our mental health services,” shares Hansen, who adds that she thinks these services “are very much needed.” Mental health services are available at Next via a partner representative who comes in on a weekly basis providing drop-in support. While this service can be for diagnosis or ongoing conditions, sometimes young adults simply need someone to talk to about things they are going through. “They want to talk about it, and they have that safe space here. They have that person that they can connect with on a weekly basis if needed,” explains Hansen. All these services are free through Next as part of the organization’s commitment to holistic support.

Community Partners

The benefits of supporting area young adults aren’t just seen by these youth and their families—their employers notice it too. Jordache Perozzo, CFO of SellerSlice is a firm believer in “the importance of investing in the next generation.” As one of the organizations who hires Next interns, Perozzo says, “We recognized the immense potential and fresh perspectives that young individuals bring to the table. By hiring these young people, we created opportunities to gain practical experience, develop crucial skills and explore their career interests.” SellerSlice offers digital services to online retailers, providing Next interns with skills in tech and e-commerce.

Perozzo believes that hiring interns from this program has helped make their organization better and would recommend it to other business owners. The Next experience helps “foster a culture of learning and growth within the organization, where both Next interns and existing employees could benefit from the exchange of ideas and knowledge.”

These ideas aren’t mere buzzwords either. As the average marketer (including this author) will tell you, digital success requires an understanding of your audience. Perozzo and team continue to be impressed by Next interns’ “fresh perspectives and eagerness to learn” as well as “their diverse backgrounds and creative mindsets.” Anyone watching these future professionals quickly adapt to new technologies and rapidly learn new continued from page 24 continued on next page continued from previous page skills sees the positive outcomes of the Next program in action.

For businesses considering hiring young adults, Perozzo shares, “Individuals from Next provide a valuable pool of talent from which you can potentially identify future full-time employees.” The experience provides additional opportunities to assess their skills, work ethic and cultural fit— valuable knowledge prior to hiring on a fulltime basis.

The Next Experience

A quick scroll through the Next social media comments will show you how much the experience and mentors resonate with participants. These accolades are likely due to the highly personalized services they received from the staff. Maglione describes the team as, “dedicated and passionate about helping young people determine their path, set their own education and career goals and reach them.” Hansen says, “We sit with them and have a conversation

Salmon Creek Office

• Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm about what their goals and interests are and then we can help connect them with paid trainings.” This industry training includes opportunities in healthcare, technology or information technology, manufacturing, constructions, as well as transportation and logistics. Or, if the client discovers they want to complete a GED or pursue higher education, “We set them up for education,” continues Hansen. “[One] of our job[s] here is to help get them connected with colleges. We can bring in college partners and representatives, we can do college tours.” A common educational service is filling out the FAFSA form. However, “We tailor decisions for each young adult depending on what their need might be. That’s really a big thing with Next is to meet the young adult where they’re at because it could be so different for each of them that come through our doors.”

Next is far more than a starter job placement, or college readiness program. Next’s mission is to help young adults take the steps needed to achieve a successful and fulfilling career. The team provides follow-ups and check-ins even after a client is hired. “I feel like especially with today’s young adults, they want something that’s meaningful and impactful, but we also want to correlate that with whether it’s sensible,” says Hansen. “Is it going to lead to a quality job and help you become self-sufficient in the long run?”

It’s that goal of long-term growth and success that helps Next stand out from other programs, and helps Southwest Washington set up our young adults for the future. Learn more about Next and all their services at nextsuccess.org.

Kate Hagan Gallup is a Vancouver mom, wife, writer, digital strategist and self-described geek. A University of Washington graduate with a master’s degree in information management, Kate is a widely published writer specializing in parenting, food and natural living. Find Kate at RipleyK8.com.

1 Saturday

Yacolt Rendezvous Days 2023 in Yacolt. Celebrate summer in Yacolt with activities all day July 1-2!

Wander Clark County Historic Walking Tours – Esther Short Neighborhood at Slocum House, 605 Esther St., Vancouver. From beautiful Craftsman homes to towering Gothic churches, the residential neighborhoods of Downtown Vancouver are full of wondrous sights and stories. This Saturday we’ll explore one of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhoods, Esther Short. Tickets $8 at cchmuseum.org. 9-11 am

Downtown Market and Street Fair in Downtown Ridgefield. Kick off a celebratory, patriotic weekend with Farmers Market, vendors and street sale. 9 am-2 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Seussical Kids” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Free for the whole family, but space is limited so reserve your tickets in advance at metropolitanperformingarts.org.

11 am & 2 pm

Farm Days at Pomeroy Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. Open farm weekend, featuring Pomeroy’s historic grounds, farm animals, iSpy children’s activity, and local artisans. Admission is free, donations encouraged. 11 am-5 pm

Venardos Circus at Vancouver Mall, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Vancouver. Broadwaystyle animal-free circus “Let’s Build a Dream” tour. Tickets $16.95-$27.95 at venardoscircus. com. 11 am & 2 pm & 5 pm

Summer Fest Picnic in the Park at Fort Vancouver, 1501 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. Live music, games, magicians, face painting, food and fun for the whole family. 11 am- 8 pm

La Center Saturdays in the Park Concert Series at Sternwheeler Park, 100 W 4th St., La Center. Enjoy live music in the

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.

Sternwheeler Park amphitheater Saturdays through August 5. 5:30-8 pm

2 Sunday

Go 4th Festival at Lake Sacajawea Park, 1199 W Kessler Blvd., Longview. Carnival, food vendors, marketplace, live entertainment, cardboard boat regatta, parade, fun run and, of course, fireworks on the 4th! Full schedule at go4thfestival.com.

Yacolt Rendezvous Days 2023 in Yacolt. Celebrate summer in Yacolt with activities all day July 1-2!

Farm Days at Pomeroy Farm, See Jul 1 for details 11 am-5 pm

Venardos Circus at Vancouver Mall. See Jul for details. 11 am & 2 pm

3 Monday

Go 4th Festival at Lake Sacajawea Park, 1199 W Kessler Blvd., Longview. Carnival, food vendors, marketplace, live entertainment, cardboard boat regatta, parade, fun run and, of course, fireworks on the 4th! Full schedule at go4thfestival.com.

4 TUESDAY

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC), 3101 S Hillhurst Rd., Ridgefield. Tickets $8-$20 at ridgefieldraptors.com. 3 pm

4th of July Celebration at Port of CamasWashougal, 24 S A St., Washougal. Music starts at 6 pm, fireworks start at 10 am

Go 4th Festival at Lake Sacajawea Park, 1199 W Kessler Blvd., Longview. Carnival, food vendors, marketplace, live entertainment, cardboard boat regatta, parade, fun run and, of course, fireworks on the 4th! Full schedule at go4thfestival.com.

5 WEDNESDAY

Musicians in the Park at Overlook Park, 113131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield. A weekly series of lunchtime performances by local musicians. 12-1:30 pm

Check out our website for even more local events.

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm

6 Thursday

Reptileman at Hazel Dell Elementary, 511 NE Anderson Rd., Vancouver. Live reptile presentation! The Reptileman presents, entertains and teaches about reptiles with humor and patience. 11 am

Camas Concerts in the Park at Crown Park 120 NE 17th Ave., Camas. Toe tap your way into the 29th year of free Camas Concerts in the Park! All concerts are held Thursdays in July, rain or shine. 6:30 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm

Vancouver Waterfront Park Concert Series at Waterfront Park, Columbia Way and Esther Street, Vancouver. Free, family friendly outdoor concerts in the park Thursdays through August 10. 6:30 pm

7 Friday

Family Fun Fridays with Camas Parks & Recreation and Columbia Play Project at Crown Park, 120 NE 17th Ave., Camas. Exploratory play, toys, giant bubbles, stomp rockets, chalk art and more.

11:30 am-1:30 pm

Vancouver’s Downtown Association First Friday Art Walk. Art, culture, food and more in Downtown Vancouver. Go to vdausa. org/first-Friday for an interactive map of participating organizations.

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park, 24414 NE Westerholm Rd., Brush Prairie. Enjoy all kinds of cars, old and new, every Friday, all summer long. $5-$8 at the door. 4-8 pm continued on next page

CCHMuseum AfterHours at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver.

July 1-2, 2023

5K • 10K • Trail Challenge • 26.2M/50M R

July 15-16, 2023

• Olympic & Sprint Tri/Du/Aquabike/Paddle

• Off Road Sprint Tri/Du/Aquabike/Paddle

• Trail 5K & Half Marathon Benefiting Banks HS XC team/FGHS Dance team

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

REGISTER & DETAILS AT WHYRACINGEVENTS.COM

COOL TECHSHIRT, MEDAL AND ATHLETE GIFT! POST RACE FOOD AND BEER GARDEN

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

REGISTER & DETAILS AT WHYRACINGEVENTS.COM

Have you ever wondered where the PNW’s love for hops and IPAs began? Or who was the first female riverboat captain on the Columbia? Have fun and meet others every First Friday while exploring our community’s history during Clark County Historical Museum’s #CCHMuseum AfterHours!

Each monthly event showcases a different theme with experiences such as pop-up exhibits, workshops, live performances, author readings, and more. 5-8 pm

Downtown Camas First Friday – Alice in Wonderland Style Camas Poker Tour & Game Night. Games, activities, after-hours shopping, dining, prizes, art show and more. 5-8 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm

Vancouver Friday Night Movies in the Parks. July 7: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” at Bagley Community Park, 4607 Plomondon St., Vancouver. Movies begin at dusk, between 9-9:30 pm (exact time will vary due to weather conditions). Preshow activities start at 7 pm. All movies are family friendly and will be closed captioned. Restrooms are available. A few vendors may have snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase in some locations. Attendees are welcome to bring their own pre-prepared food and picnic fare to enjoy during the movie; smoking, alcohol and BBQs are not allowed in parks. 7 pm

8 Saturday

Downtown Alley Flea Market at Kindred Homestead Supply, 606 Main St., Vancouver. With over 30 vendors, support your local community of collectors, makers, movers and shakers. 9 am-4 pm

Wander Clark County Historic Walking Tours – Parkersville at Parkersville National Historic Site, 24 S A St., Washougal. Explore one of Clark County’s oldest incorporated communities, Parker’s Landing. Tickets $8 at cchmuseum.org. 9-11 am

Comedy for the Kids with Angel Ocasio / Comedia Para Los Niños con Angel Ocasio at La Center Community Library 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center. Nationally recognized as a top physical comedian in the Pacific Northwest, Angel Ocasio family entertainment combines physical comedy, magic, juggling, music and his unique style of comedy.

Conocido nacionalmente como el mejor comediante de físico en el Pacifico Noroeste, el entretenimiento familia de Angel Ocasio combina la comedia física, magia, malabarismo, música, y su estilo único de comedia. 10 am

Vancouver Elks Car Show at Vancouver Elks Lodge #823, 11605 SE McGillivray Blvd., Vancouver. Come admire cars of the past, meet the owners and enjoy lunch in the Elks’ big back yard! 10 am-3 pm

Vancouver USA Pride Saturday in the Park at Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver. Open to the public—raffles, giveaways, entertainment, vendors and more! 10 am-5 pm

Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield. Go on a musical tour of the Pacific Islands! Paradise of Samoa is a fast paced and exciting dance troupe composed of youths and adults. This musical tour of Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand and Tahiti is narrated with information on the islands, their cultures and dance performances in colorful and authentic handmade costumes. For all ages. 10:30 am

Talewise – Science Heroes: Saving the Earth Together at Washougal Community Library, 1661 C St., Washougal. Science and stories collide in this interactive STEM program. In this action-packed story, two unlikely heroes work together to save their town (and the planet) from a super-polluting mastermind. Throughout the adventure, volunteers help the performer conduct several continued from previous page continued on page 30

Calendar of Events & Activities (cont'd) continued from page 29 exciting science experiments that bring this story to life! For ages 3–11 and their families.

11 am

La Center Saturdays in the Park Concert Series See Jul 1 for details. 5:30-8 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm

9 SUNDAY

Gather Arts Market at Hockinson Community Center, 17912 NE 159th St., Brush Prairie. Makers, growers and artists convene for shoppers to find unique art, gifts and plants.

10 am-2 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 1 pm

Sunday Sounds Concert Series at Columbia Tech Center Park, 17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Free, family friendly concerts from some of the Pacific Northwest’s most talented artists. 6-8 pm

10 MONDAY

Hiroya Tsukamoto: Cinematic Guitar Poetry at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver

Enjoy the transcendent music of this Japanese-born fingerpicking guitarist.

5:30 pm

11 TUESDAY

Talewise – Science Heroes: Saving the Earth Together at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver

See Jul 8 for details. 9:30 am & 11 am

Museum of Curious Things at FVRLibraries. Mobile curiosity museum filled with oddities from around the world.

11 am-1 pm at Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N Main Ave., Ridgefield.

5-7 pm at Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground.

12 Wednesday

Creature Teachers at La Center Community Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center. Live reptiles and more! In an increasingly technological world, Creature Teachers aims to stir up a passion for our natural world. Meet the creatures and learn about conservation, saving wildlife and exotic pet responsibilities. Creature Teachers’ animal ambassadors include reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. 10 am

Comedy for the Kids with Angel Ocasio / Comedia Para Los Niños con Angel Ocasio at Woodland Community Library, 770 Park St, Woodland See Jul 8 for details. 10:30 am

Musicians in the Park. See Jul 5 for details. 12-1:30 pm

Science on Tap at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Amazing Adaptations: How Birds Cope with Hardships, a presentation by Dr. Jamie Cornelius. Tickets $15-$45 at kigginstheatre.com. 7-9 pm

13 THURSDAY

Camas Concerts in the Park. See Jul 6 for details. 6:30 pm

Vancouver Waterfront Park Concert Series. See Jul 6 for details. 6:30 pm

14 FRIDAY

Border Collie International Performance at Fallen Leaf Softball Field, 325 NE 23rd Ave., Camas. Join Camas Public Library for a performance by a team of rescued border collies to entertain and educate. 10:30 am

Ridgefield Community Library’s 2nd Birthday at Davis Park, Main Ave. and Mill St., Ridgefield. Special performers, art bar, bubble machines, balloons, a free book (for the kids), cookies and more. 12-2 pm

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park. See Jul 7 for details. 4-8 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm

Vancouver Friday Night Movies in the Parks. July 14: “Jurassic World Dominion” at Columbia Tech Center Park, 17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. See Jul 7 for details. 7 pm

15 SATURDAY

Wander Clark County Historic Walking Tours – Washougal Memorial Cemetery at 3329 Q St., Washougal. Hear the stories of the visionaries who built Washougal—their struggles and triumphs in building a new life for their families. Tickets $8 at cchmuseum. org. 9-11 am

Chayag En Familia – Andean Music, Culture and Dance at Vancouver Mall, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Vancouver. Enjoy this amazing performance as Chayag plays music and shares the stories and traditions of the Andean people and culture from whom they come. See unique dances, listen to unique instruments and learn the history and legends behind them, including the Indigenous, European, and African influences. For all ages. 11 am

La Center Saturdays in the Park Concert Series See Jul 1 for details. 5:30-8 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts Community Theater presents “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Enjoy MPA’s annual summer Shakespeare touring show, plus their season announcement party. 6 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm

“Grease” Sing-a-long with the Denton Delinquents at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Enjoy the classic musical with a live shadow cast. Tickets $15 at kigginstheatre.com. 8 pm

16 SUNDAY

Wellness in the Park at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. Visit local gyms, healthcare and wellness providers in the park! Take an exercise class, listen to music and more. 8 am-4 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 1 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts Community Theater presents “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” See Jul 15 for details. 6 pm

Sunday Sounds Concert Series. See Jul 9 for details. 6-8 pm

18 TUESDAY

Jugglemania at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver Hilarious physical comedy for family audiences, JuggleMania showcases juggling, magic, science, and feats of hilarity and dexterity. 9:30 am & 11 am

Comedy for the Kids with Angel Ocasio / Comedia Para Los Niños con Angel Ocasio at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver See Jul 8 for details. 6 pm

19 WEDNESDAY

Jugglemania at La Center Community Library 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center. See Jul 18 for details. 10 am

Musicians in the Park. See Jul 5 for details. 12-1:30 pm

20 THURSDAY

4 Days of Aloha at Clark College and Esther Short Park. Cultural workshops, live performances, art and food vendors, keiki (kids) zone, raffles, giveaways, 21+ beer garden and more, all celebrating Aloha in the Pacific Northwest! Full schedule at 4daysofaloha.com. 8 am-9:30 pm

Talewise – Science Heroes: Saving the Earth Together at Yale Valley Community Library, 11700 Lewis River Rd., Ariel. See Jul 8 for details. 10 am continued on next page continued from previous page

Creature Teachers at Cascade Park Community Library 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. See Jul 12 for details. 11 am

Camas Concerts in the Park. See Jul 6 for details. 6:30 pm

Vancouver Waterfront Park Concert Series. See Jul 6 for details. 6:30 pm

History on Tap – Identity and the New Thought Philosophy at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Come raise a glass with Clark County Historical Museum and Kiggins Theatre as we explore the history of the Pacific Northwest. This month: a look at Alzamon Ira Lucas. Tickets $12-$18 at kigginstheatre.com. 7 pm

21 Friday

4 Days of Aloha at Clark College and Esther Short Park. See Jul 20 for details. 8 am-9 pm

Camas Days in Downtown Camas. Festival, parade, arts vendors, food, live music and more. Full schedule at facebook.com/ camasdays. 12-11 pm

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park. See Jul 7 for details. 4-8 pm

Vancouver Friday Night Movies in the Parks. July 21: “Coco” (Spanish subtitles) at Fruit Valley Park, 3200 Fruit Valley Rd., Vancouver. See Jul 7 for details. 7 pm

22 Saturday

Ride Around Clark County scenic bike ride. Starting at Bike Clark County, 1604 Main St., Vancouver. Multiple route options, plus food, music and beer at the end of the ride. Register at vbc-usa.com. 6 am

Wander Clark County Historic Walking Tours – Arnada Neighrborhood at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Explore one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, characterized by vintage homes, beautiful gardens and mature trees. Tickets $8 at cchmuseum.org. 9-11 am

4 Days of Aloha at Clark College and Esther Short Park. See Jul 20 for details. 10 am-10 pm

Comedy for the Kids with Angel Ocasio / Comedia Para Los Niños con Angel Ocasio at Overlook Park, 113-131 S Main Ave., Ridgefield. See Jul 8 for details. 10:30 am

Camas Days in Downtown Camas. See Jul 21 for details 11 am-11 pm

La Center Saturdays in the Park Concert Series See Jul 1 for details. 5:30-8 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts Community Theater presents “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” See Jul 15 for details. 6 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm

23 Sunday

4 Days of Aloha at Clark College and Esther Short Park. See Jul 20 for details. 10 am-5 pm

Picnic in Color in Downtown Camas. Free family arts and crafts event: tie-dye activity, puppet show, fun with clay, painting station, colorful fitness with My Gym, DJ Linus and more. 11 am-4 pm

Book Fun in the Sun at Covington Historical House, 4201 Main St., Vancouver. Meet local authors, play games, enjoy food and prizes. Admission is free. 12-3 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts Community Theater presents “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” See Jul 15 for details. 6 pm

Sunday Sounds Concert Series See Jul 9 for details. 6-8 pm

25 Tuesday

Chayag En Familia – Andean Music, Culture and Dance at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver. See Jul 15 for details. 9:30 am & 11 am

Twilight Tuesday Nature Walk at Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver. As the summer sun sets and the heat dissipates, movement begins along the water’s edge. Join a Water Center educator to explore the twilight in and around the Columbia River and its wetlands. Look for signs of animals, learn about plants, look for bats, and identify the twilight stars and planets that appear in the early evening sky. Advanced registration required at cityofvancouver.us. 7:30 pm

26 Wednesday

Chayag En Familia – Andean Music, Culture and Dance at La Center Community Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd, La Center. See Jul 15 for details. 10 am

Jugglemania at Woodland Community Library, 770 Park St, Woodland. See Jul 18 for details. 10:30 am

Musicians in the Park. See Jul 5 for details. 12-1:30 pm

27 Thursday

Camas Concerts in the Park. See Jul 6 for details. 6:30 pm

Vancouver Waterfront Park Concert Series. See Jul 6 for details. 6:30 pm

28 Friday

Our Days Steamboat Celebration at Holley Park, 1000 E 4th St., La Center. Celebrate the community of La Center with a parade, movies in the park, car show, bingo and more! 2023 theme: Hollywood. Details at lacenterourdays.com.

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park. See Jul 7 for details. 4-8 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm

Vancouver Friday Night Movies in the Parks. July 28: “Wakanda Forever” at LeRoy Haagen Park, NE 9th St., Vancouver. See Jul 7 for details. 7 pm

29 Saturday

Our Days Steamboat Celebration See Jul 28 for details.

Wander Clark County Historic Walking Tours – Downtown Camas at 4th and Adams, Camas. Started as a company town in 1883 for what would become the Papermakers, Camas is one of the few towns in Clark County that was designed and built with such a purpose in mind. Take a step back in time and learn of the businesses and residents that called this place home. Tickets $8 at cchmuseum.org. 9-11 am

Talewise – Science Heroes: Saving the Earth Together at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver See Jul 8 for details. 2 pm

La Center Saturdays in the Park Concert Series See Jul 1 for details. 5:30-8 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm

30 Sunday

Sunday Sounds Concert Series See Jul 9 for details. 6-8 pm

Ridgefield Raptors baseball home game. See Jul 4 for details. 6:30 pm