Vancouver Family Magazine June 2023

SAVE THE DATE FOR FAMILY FUN IN VANCOUVER

Waterfront Park Concert Series

Presented by Waterfront Taphouse

Thursdays | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | July 6 through August 10

Vancouver Waterfront Park (695 Waterfront Park)

Movies in the Parks

Presented by HAPO Community Credit Union

Fridays | July 7 through August 18

Activities start at 7 p.m., movies begin at dusk

Sunday Sounds Concert Series

Presented by Riverview Community Bank at Columbia Tech Center

Sundays | 6-8 p.m. | July 9 through August 13 SE Sequoia Cir. at SE Tech Center Dr.

Vancouver USA Arts & Music Festival

Presented by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA & City of Vancouver with Columbia Arts Network

August 4-6 in Esther Short Park (605 Esther St.) and Vancouver’s Downtown Arts District

All events are free & family friendly

June '23

FEATURE ARTICLES

Meet Me at the Grease Monkey

Read one local mom's experience overcoming prejudice, and ending up with a new car.

Choose Your Adventure at Mount St. Helens Base Camp

Explore Mount St. Helens with unique camping and naturalist experiences for adults, kids and families.

The Backpacking Bennetts

Learn how a local family achieved the coveted "Triple Crown" after completing an 8,000-mile journey on foot.

•

•

•

IN EVERY ISSUE ON THE WEB

•

•

Transcendence on the Trail

One of my favorite trails to hike is the Tarbell Trail in east Clark County’s Yacolt Burn State Forest. The trail loops 25 miles through Silver Star’s foothills, Larch Mountain and the impressive and aptly named Hidden Falls (at least five miles from any trailhead or parking area, the falls makes you work for it). In this wilderness, I find a special communion with something much greater than myself. Two summers ago, I took my dad on a mini backpacking trip through the area, keeping our mileage low and slow to safeguard his bad knees. Abandoning distractions and immersed in the breathtaking natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest, we talked every minute of the short hike— about his upcoming retirement, my eventual retirement, the house my parents were building at the time, challenging family situations. We reminisced about our only other backpacking trip together, more than 25 years before, when we had hiked Eagle Creek with my best friend and her dad. Human connection, like the myriad ferns and firs along the trail, flourishes in conditions like these. The sun was setting over the vast hills as we approached Rock Creek Campground, a primitive horse camp along the trail where we made camp. We had cheated— reserving our campsite earlier that day and dropping off firewood to enjoy a campfire upon our arrival. We continued our conversation over the crackling fire—my favorite place in the world—before turning in for the night. The next morning, after a chilly night in our respective tents (and very little sleep), we did it all over again, this time traversing the path in reverse with the morning sun lighting the way until we were back to where we had started, and made our way home. With our cups filled, we both went back to our respective responsibilities (sometimes as chilly as that night at Rock Creek) with renewed energy and gratitude. I hope to hit the trail with Dad again this summer. But if not, I hope to replicate that connection with him, wherever we are on the path of life, for as long as he’s around.

In this issue, meet a Battle Ground family who also found transcendence on the trail—8,000 miles of trail to be exact (page 22); find new adventures at Mount St. Helens Base Camp (page 18); and read one local mom’s experience sparking a connection with a stranger, overcoming prejudice and ending up with a new car (page 12). Plus, learn how a local nonprofit is helping refugees find their footing in Clark County (page 10).

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Volume 22, Issue 6

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 Emily Corak, Kristen Flowers, Sarah Mortensen, Muyoka Mwarabu

Ad Sales 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 2002-2023. All rights reserved. No

On the Cover:

Photo by Marie Pham Photography

Local restauranteur, Jorge Castro, lives in Camas with his wife and their two kids, Paris and Giovanni.

Photo by Jesse Cobb jessecobbphoto.com @jessecobbphotos

Dad and I backpacking on the Tarbell Trail in east Clark County in 2021.

Notable News, Events & Efforts in Clark County

JUNE 2023

Avision for equitable community access to fitness is starting to take shape in Vancouver, with a brand-new community event bringing together health and fitness providers and the public. Wellness in the Park, whose first event took place at Esther Short Park last month, and which will take place again throughout the summer, is the brainchild of Ed Kauffman, a board-certified nurse practitioner whose practice, Vancouver Direct Primary Care, is located in Downtown Vancouver. Kauffman was inspired to create Wellness in the Park after living and working in

Wellness in the Park Brings Public Fitness to Vancouver

Southern California, where outdoor, public fitness was a common sight. “I spent a year in Santa Monica managing an ICU at a top ranked hospital for very complex patients,” Kauffman shared. “The work was taxing and tiring. For me, fitness with community at a public space was profound. Weekly I found respite, human connection and accessible health at Palisades Park.” Later, after relocating to Vancouver, Kauffman experienced personal tragedy when his father died from complications related to an aggressive form of cancer. “Even with my decade plus experience in healthcare, it was incredibly challenging to navigate,” he said. During this time, his family benefitted greatly from resources like the American Cancer Society. In honor of his father’s “kind and generous spirit,” and to

Ride Around Clark County

give back to an organization like the one that helped his own family, Wellness in the Park is free for all, with an invitation for those who are able to make a donation to the American Cancer Society. Activities at the event include demonstrations and interactive exhibits from over 60 participating gyms, personal trainers, yoga studios, dance teams, martial arts studios, chiropractors, naturopaths, massage therapists and primary care providers. Lots of kid-friendly activities are also on-site, including obstacle courses, kids’ tennis and martial arts demonstrations. “Our ultimate vision,” Kuaffman said, “is that on any given Saturday or Sunday in Vancouver, there is a place to hang out with your family, enjoy fitness classes and be exposed to many health and wellness [resources].” The next Wellness in the Park events this summer will happen on June 4, July 16, September 10 (all at 8 am-4 pm), plus a Relay for Life event on September 16. Learn more at VancouverDirectPrimaryCare. com/wellness-in-the-park

Cyclists will soon traverse the roads of Clark County for community bicycle ride, Ride Around Clark County (RACC). The ride was originated in 1984 by Joe Schrententhaler, a member of Vancouver Bicycle Club (VBC), which was founded 51 years ago by two men in Vancouver, including James Barhitte who still cycles today. VBC and RACC are both run and supported by volunteers who, for the love of cycling, organize the routes, which consist of 34-mile, 62-mile, 89-mile and 100-mile options. The team also arranges for mechanical support and rest stops (with water and snacks) along those routes on the day of the ride. Registration to participate in this year’s RACC range from $25-$65, depending on the route length and age of rider, with kids ages 12 and under riding free with a paid adult. One of the VBC team’s most memorable riders was one such child, 6-year-old Jake, who is the ride’s youngest metric (62-mile) rider to date. “A metric is an accomplishment for an adult, and an incredibly amazing feat for a child that young!” said VBC volunteer, Becky Stanford. This year’s RACC will take place July 22, 2023, with the starting point at Bike Clark County, 1604 Main St. in Downtown Vancouver. Learn more and register at VBC-usa.com

Cyclists ride various types of bikes in Ride Around Clark County. Far right: Jake (age 6 in this photo) is RACC's youngest 62-mile rider to date. Photos courtesy Vancouver Bicycle Club.

Ed Kauffman (far left) founded Wellness in the Park, partly inspired by his father (right). The two are pictured together in the middle. Photos courtesy Ed Kauffmann.

Clark College Newly Certified by Bee Campus USA

Clark College was recently certified as an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program, joining 165 other college campuses and 179 cities across the country united to make their landscape attractive to pollinators. “Through a variety of sustainability initiatives, college students, faculty and staff have championed creating environmentally friendly campuses,” said Clark College president, Dr. Karin Edwards. “I was fortunate to help sow wildflower seeds on campus in early spring. I anticipate that we will be enjoying beautiful native wildflowers— and seeing more bees on campus—in the coming months.” Biology professor Steven Clark is coordinating the college’s Bee Campus initiative and has led the college in laying groundwork, such as planting native wildflowers, to make the campus more attractive to bees and other pollinators. “Bee Campus helps bees because we provide food and habitat for bees,” Clark said. “But it may help humans more because we learn how to live in harmony with nature.” Pollinators—including mason bees, bumblebees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and hummingbirds are essential for the planet. They are responsible for the reproduction of almost 90% of the world’s flowering plant species and 30% of our food. As a certified Bee Campus, Clark College will offer education to students and community members about the region’s native pollinators, potentially via biology labs, community science research contributions, environmental science service learning, Continuing Ed seminars and Bee Units offered to nearby elementary schools. Steven Clark will teach two Clark College community education courses focused on bees and their habitat. Bee Walks and Bee Lives began May 26, and Bee Walks and Bee Biology begins June 6. Both courses include classroom time followed by a “bee walk” around campus. Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA are initiatives of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a Portland-based nonprofit. Bee City USA’s mission is to galvanize communities and college campuses to sustain pollinators by providing healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants that are free of pesticides.

Top: Clark College was recently certified as an affiliate of Bee Campus USA.

Photo courtesy Clark College.

Middle: Biology professor Steven Clark (center in red coat) hands wildflower seeds to Clark College president Dr. Karin Edwards during a seed-sowing event on campus. Photo courtesy Clark College/Kevin Damore.

Bottom: Biology professor Steven Clark points out mason bees to Ruby Moore and granddaughter Ava on Take Your Kid to Work Day. Photo courtesy Clark College/Susan Parrish.

Refugee Resettlement

By Sarah Mortensen

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a total of 11,454 persons were admitted to the United States as refugees during 2021. Khalid Barzgar of Vancouver was one of those refugees. When the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan in 2021, Barzgar had to leave his home country to survive. Through a special pathway, Barzgar, his wife and his wife’s sisters were able to flee their country of origin and obtain green cards to come to the United States. After a lengthy process, Barzgar and his family arrived at PDX in 2022 where they were greeted by volunteers from Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) Immigration Services and fed a “culturally delicious welcome meal,” remembers Barzgar. They settled here in Vancouver, where he now works as the volunteer and care coordinator for the Refugee Resettlement Program with LCSNW. His background in nonprofit work and unique understanding of the challenges refugees encounter as they enter the United States helps him to relate to the clients his department serves, as well as train volunteers to know how to best help new refugees integrate into the community.

LCSNW’s Vancouver team of nearly 50 staff serve refugees and help expand a network of support for these clients by involving volunteers. “Volunteers are crucial,” says Barzgar. “Last year, our Vancouver office helped approximately 500 refugees and other immigrants.” LCSNW communications specialist, Shelly Strom, agrees. “Volunteers [play] a critical part in ensuring these [refugee]

populations feel safe, cared for and have a network of support as they navigate their start here.” When immigrants arrive, they are first “provided the initial orientation of procedure and community resources,” explains Barzgar. “Volunteers provide transportation to these appointments, tutor them in English, help with job searches, assemble welcome kits, lead social outings and much more.”

Moving to a new home is said to be one of the most stressful life events; but moving to a new place where literally everything is new including the language, foods and customs is in a category all its own. The majority of recent refugees to Vancouver have come through special programs offered to Afghanis and Ukrainians who are fleeing due to war and instability. The worry they carry for the family members left behind often adds to their stress as they begin to make a new life. LCSNW strives to help refugee families with anything they may need to be successful, which is why case managers at LCSNW help connect new refugees to community volunteers who get to know them individually.

Barzgar recalls some dedicated volunteers who spent a lot of time with his family. “They showed us the rock-climbing gym in Downtown Vancouver, which my sister loved. She was rock climbing in Afghanistan, and it was one of the things she’d been missing about home.” They may have begun as volunteers assigned to Barzgar’s family, but they ended up “old friends.”

continued on next page

““Volunteers [play] a critical part in ensuring these [refugee] populations feel safe, cared for and have a network of support as they navigate their start here.”

–Shelly Strom, LCSNW communications specialist

continued from previous page

LCSNW is always looking for more volunteers to befriend a refugee, but there are many other ways to help, in both short- and long-term commitments. Donations of household goods such as clean sheets, towels, dishes, and cleaning supplies are always greatly appreciated too. Barzgar has noticed that refugees often have in-demand skills such as mechanics and metal work, but the language barrier can make it difficult to communicate their background and work history. One volunteer reached out, offering his shop to help refugees practice these skills and obtain a job reference. Other local professionals, including tax accountants as well as HR managers, have offered to help refugees prepare for job interviews.

Anyone who has a desire to help can visit lcsnw.org/make-adifference/volunteer to find a list of volunteer opportunities. The needs of refugees are many, which is why volunteers with a variety of skills are also needed. If you have an idea to help that is not included on the website, LCSNW would be happy to hear it. “As an organization, LCSNW always is looking for volunteers to support refugees,” says Barzgar. “If someone wants to volunteer and they have expertise or ideas about how they can contribute, they should reach out to us.”

Sarah Mortensen holds a degree in marriage and family studies and works for Vancouver Public Schools as a paraeducator in addition to her role as associate editor of Vancouver Family Magazine. When Sarah is not reading to her kids or students, she is probably in her backyard taking care of her garden. She also enjoys hiking, hot chocolate, and dressing up for Halloween. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, son and daughter.

Page 10: Lutheran Community Services Northwest volunteer Jane Davenport greets refugees at PDX.

Page 11: Afghan families adjust to their new lives in Vancouver, with the help of Lutheran Community Services Northwest staff and volunteers.

Photos by Doug McClay.

Meet Me at the

By Muyoka Mwarabu

I bought a car on Craigslist. If there were a book outlining ways to be scammed, I bet on page two (right after Nigerian prince proposals) would be Craigslist car purchases. But I had been to the dealerships. The sales guys were selling cars at full price without even leaving their desks. One sales guy, who—no joke—wore a plaid jacket, laughed when I brought up Kelley Blue Book value. He told me he would sit on my dream car for a year before selling it at my offer. But my dream wasn’t going to die. I had been saving for two years, ever since my divorce. I had gained the freedom to pursue my dreams unapologetically, and my vision board had a picture of a 2017 black exterior, black interior Hyundai Tucson. So, when I stumbled upon my dream car with just 40,000 miles on it, posted on Craigslist, all my father’s warnings to be cautious went out the window of my current 216,000-mile car. I quickly messaged the owner, who lived hours away in Seattle, and put my offer on the table. She told me she already had two people coming to look at it the next evening, and she would get back to me if it didn’t sell. I called my brother to get his perspective. He said it was a great price, and offered to drive to Seattle with me. I didn’t want my dream to get

away. I called the lady again, this time offering her $200 more and assuring her I could be there by the afternoon, ready to buy—pending a mechanic inspection. She said, “Meet me at the Grease Monkey.” (Grease Monkey is an oil change franchise that also does pre-car purchase inspections.)

As I hung up, it hit me. Was I really about to drive 200+ miles north with a cashier’s check to purchase a car off Craigslist? I texted the seller my photo ID so she could prepare the paperwork, and she sent me her name and a vehicle history report. And then the texting between us abruptly stopped.

Her name was Yuliya, a name which brought to mind an experience from 20 years earlier, when I had tried to purchase a used car, and it was a Russian seller who did not disclose the car ’s title was reconstructed until I had arrived and found red oil coming out of the dip stick. I knew I was judging unfairly, but if I made the wrong call my gas budget was shot for the month. Yuliya had gone silent on the text message thread after seeing my ID as well. My photo ID clearly showed I was African American. I don’t know what Yuliya’s thoughts were in that moment, but we

Grease Monkey

both had a choice to make: do I trust this person to make a deal or not? If I judge wrong, I could be out a lot of money, but if I judge right, I could win. Yuliya would be selling the car for more than the tradein value and I would be buying the car for less than the dealership price.

Yuliya broke the text silence first. She wanted us to go to her bank after Grease Monkey to deposit the check. I took down the car VIN and ran my own independent CARFAX. I saw the clean title, mileage and even her oil change history. We both agreed to meet at Grease Monkey.

After several hours of driving, my brother and I arrived in rainy Seattle. Yuliya arrived fifteen minutes later, with her Shih Tzu in one hand and her phone in the other. She was wrapping up a Zoom call on her phone. As the mechanic inspected, we went to the lobby to look over the paperwork. I found out Yuliya was a single mom of an 11-year-old just like me, and we both worked remotely. We had both mastered quick laundry loading in between Zoom board meetings, and she too was about to buy her dream car. But here at Grease Monkey, there was just one problem. She had brought what she thought was the title but was in fact the title application. She thought the real title might be at her house, so we followed her there. My brother and I sat in his car

continued on page 14

Me at the Grease Monkey

READ

POST... ADU, TINY HOMES, & GUESTHOUSES... OH MY!!

This week I want to talk a bit about some hot terms in real estate. With the market being so lopsided right now, many people are looking into alternative housing options, but what are they? What do they mean? How does it work? Well, of course I have information on this, and yes, of course I am going to share it ALL with you!

In early April, I had the opportunity to do some filming at, and talk with a couple of wonderful companies in the Battle Ground area who are at the forefront of this type of housing. My first stop was at RG Construction off of 72nd Avenue. I met with Richard there to talk about the differences between ADU, Accessory Dwelling Units, and Guesthouses. It was really interesting because while I know how ADU’s work, I learned quite a bit about the others.

Photo by James Frid @ Pexels.com

continued from page 12

outside her house while she looked for the title. After half an hour of searching, she said she would have to get a new one from the department of licensing in the morning. She said she felt horrible for the distance we had driven, and then she said something that shocked me and my brother. She asked if we wanted to sleep on her couch for the night and then complete the transaction in the morning. My brother and I looked at each other. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, we had friends of all races but we were also aware there was a line most people didn’t cross. You could come to the birthday party, but you weren’t being invited to Thanksgiving. Yuliya had broken the line. We chatted for a bit and decided the best thing to do would be to drive home, then back up again when the title was ready, and Yuliya would pay $100 for the extra gas. On the way home, the first topic of conversation was Yuliya breaking the line. “I had a baseball cap on,” my brother said. “I can’t believe she offered to let us spend the night.” I thought about a cartoon I had seen once, of hate being derived from fear heating ignorance to boiling. In the Grease Monkey lobby, a completely different mixture was being concocted. Was it the moment Yuliya

showed me her meticulous oil change schedule or was it the moment I showed her how to call banks to verify cashier’s checks? Or the moment we both joked about mom-juggling? At some point we had both let our guards down and realized we could both benefit from trusting one another. Now driving back to Vancouver, my only fear was one of the other buyers raising their bid on my dream car.

In the week that followed, more people did reach out to Yuliya about the car, but she told them she had already found a buyer. The day after the title came, I caught the 7 am Greyhound to Seattle. Yuliya picked me up from the train station in her new car, a black-on-black Tesla. It had pushbutton doors and a sleek wood-grain dashboard. Yuliya was my car-style twin. She welcomed me into her home and we did a car deal at the kitchen table, with no plaid suits around. We completed the paperwork quickly. I handed her the check and she handed me the keys. And at the last moment she pulled out $100 cash. I had no way of getting home unless I bought the car, but she still followed through on her promise. I told her to call me in five

years—maybe if things kept going well for both of us, we could do a Tesla kitchen table deal.

As I drove home, I thought back to the moment Yuliya and I first exchanged names via text, and how far we had come in such a short time. Prejudices are safe and familiar spaces, but an incredibly beautiful path is forged when we break the line. We find kinship and encouragement as we journey forward. We all win. And while I’m not necessarily endorsing rushing into any Craigslist transactions, I am encouraging all of us to examine how we view people and to consider taking more risks. If you are ready for a world where all people are judged, not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, and a world where single moms drive Teslas and latemodel SUVs, then I invite you to meet me at the Grease Monkey.

Muyoka Mwarabu lives in Vancouver with her daughter Ajuna. She is a business relationship manager for Capital One, and a writer after bedtime. Yuliya lives and works in Seattle with her son and elderly mother. She was a stay-at-home mom, who, after a divorce, went back to school and now works in the IT field.

The author (left) poses with her new SUV that she bought from Yuliya (right). Photos courtesy Muyoka and Yuliya.

Choose Your Own Adventure at Mount St. Helens Base Camp

By Emily Corak

On her first day of work as an environmental educator, Abi Groskopf remembers driving up Highway 504 to Mount St. Helens and thinking to herself, “This is such an amazing classroom.” Now the director of programs for the Mount St. Helens Institute, Groskopf is part of an impressive team and is still mesmerized by the Pacific Northwest’s youngest and most active volcano. “Mount St. Helens is a powerful landscape,” she says. “It inspires awe and curiosity, which is the heart of learning.”

The Institute, originally formed by a group of volunteers in 1996, is now a nonprofit committed to sharing the unique science and beauty Mount St. Helens has to offer. The volcano had lain dormant for 123 years before its famous eruption in 1980, and it was the first volcanic eruption in the continental United States in over sixty years. People from all over the world studied this immense eruption with its ash cloud reaching at least 70,000 feet. Cities throughout Washington received anywhere from one eighth to a half inch of ash, and the resulting crater measures one mile wide and two miles long.

With only a few steam plumes and low seismic activity these days, Mount St. Helens is now an ideal learning and exploration space for ecologists, scientists, hikers and nature enthusiasts. And the Institute is passionate about making it accessible to learners of all backgrounds and ages—like myself. While I have lived in Washington for 30 years, I have yet to actually visit Mount St. Helens. Now that I know the scope of programs and adventures available through the Institute, I think this is the summer to change that. Some of these programs include youth education, classroom outreach and outdoor school as well as an annual grant-funded camp called GeoGirls, for aspiring female scientists. Adult programs feature volunteer opportunities, pub lectures, guided hikes and climbs

to the crater, summit, glacier overlook and blast zones. For truly enthusiastic learners, Groskopf says the Institute offers a Volcano Naturalist program which is similar to a Master Gardener course, but for volcanoes.

Groskopf has now been with the Institute for ten years, and when I asked what program or offering she was most proud of, she responded, “That’s like having to choose which child is your favorite!” The evolution of the Institute in the past several decades is remarkable, and still expanding. Plans are in the works to renovate the visitor center and add a public campground with a lodge and cabins in the near future.

While volcano enthusiasts look forward to the addition of a campground, the Institute recognized a current obstacle: past a certain point, there is nowhere to stay overnight on Mount St. Helens. This led them to create Base Camp which launched for the first time last year. Base Camp is a weekend-long program offered periodically throughout the summer and described by past participants as “summer camp for adults.”

continued on page 20

Top: Tents are ready for campers on Mount St. Helens in May 2022.

Photo by Gina Roberti.

Bottom: Base Camp participants listen to a presentation by a guest scientist on the deck at the Science and Learning Center. Photo by Yvonne Baur.

continued

page

“Base Camp is like a choose-your-ownadventure camping experience,” Groskopf told me. While visitors do bring their own tents and sporting equipment, many of the other logistical pieces are taken care of. “We provide all the food and a s’mores buffet, and we have experienced staff and educators who are there to help you engage with the landscape in a way you may not have thought of before,” she says. As someone who has forgotten propane on not one, but two of her last camping trips, I was immediately intrigued by not having to grocery shop or lug any outdoor cooking equipment.

Base Camp includes options for whatever level of adventure you might be seeking. Participants can choose from guided hikes, kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, trail running or simply unplugging and taking in a phenomenal view. Additionally, Groskopf says, “We provide art supplies, games, books, scavenger hunts and guest educators such as geologists, astronomers or professional photographers to give brief lectures.” To learn how to better serve participants, the Institute requested feedback after its inaugural year. Previous guests had copious compliments about their experience. Sam, a Base Camp attendee, said, “This was the best weekend

for me to disconnect from electronics and connect with a truly special place in our state.” Another attendee, Kelley, added, “I’m officially obsessed with Mount St. Helens.”

The Seattle-based creators of the YouTube channel, “Traveling While Black,” Anthony and Marlie Love, filmed their experience at Base Camp last summer, and highly recommended this weekend away. As camping newbies, they were grateful for friendly and helpful staff who assisted with their camping needs and said the Institute’s team worked hard to create a feeling of community amongst the attendees. “TWB successfully completed our first tent-in-the-woods camping trip and I can see it definitely not being our last,” Anthony says in the video.

Children of all ages are welcome to attend Base Camp, but if families want something specifically geared for kids, Family Adventure Camp may be a better option. In operation since 2017, this camp offers many of the same experiences, but also incorporates games rather than guest speakers and includes a GPS-themed scavenger hunt, using coordinates to find clues related to the volcano and its eruption.

Mount St. Helens Institute

Program Dates 2023:

Family Adventure Camp: July 7-9

Base Camp: July 14, July 28, September 1

Star and Sky Party: August 12

For more information and to register for one of these fantastic experiences, go to MSHInstitute.org.

For those fascinated by astronomy, the Institute’s Sky and Star Party is a perfect adventure. Co-hosted with Friends of Galileo, Rose City Astronomers and OMSI, this program is a one-night-only experience that features constellation walks, solar viewing and a portable planetarium provided by OMSI. A night under the stars without having to cook means this is a highly popular event that sells out quickly.

My third grader, who is currently studying natural disasters, recently told me I should probably know more about volcanoes than I do. I can’t argue with her. And a chance to camp with knowledgeable people, take the guesswork out of the equation and

continued on next page

Top: Families view Mount St. Helens’s crater at Family Adventure Camp, 2019.

Bottom: A camper looks at leaves under a dissecting microscope near the Science and Learning Center on Coldwater Ridge.

Photos courtesy Mount St. Helens Institute.

continued from previous page

relax while food is cooked for us is just too good to pass up. For all camps, there are several portable toilets available, and the visitor center is open at all hours with flushing toilets and running water (but no showers).

Because the Institute is committed to ensuring everyone has access to nature and this level of exploration, they utilize a sliding scale pay system. There are a set number of tickets for each price point, and Groskopf says the hope is that everyone will reflect on what they are truly able to contribute. The camps are open to 75 people per weekend and are likely to sell out, so the time to plan is now!

Emily Corak has lived in the Pacific Northwest for the past three decades. A former educator with the Vancouver School District, Emily is now a freelance writer and photographer and a mom to two young kids with big personalities. She recently graduated with her MFA in creative writing, and if she could, she would spend all her spare cash on books and plane tickets.

GeoGirls participants at Mount St. Helens enjoy roasting marshmallows over a propane fire.

Photo by Monica Leopold Brunton.

Feature: The 8,000-Mile Family: The Backpacking Bennetts Achieve the Triple Crown

The

Mile Family:

The Backpacking Bennetts Achieve the Triple Crown

By Kristen Flowers

Mindi and Adam Bennett had a big announcement. The couple sat down in their living room with their four children, Sierra, Kaia, Tristan and Ruby to explain to them their 5-year plan. The bomb they dropped was that they planned on completing the “Triple Crown” of hiking, which is the complete length of the Appalachian Trail (AT), the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

Each trail would take months to complete.

While this adventurous goal might not have been a complete surprise to the kids, the next part was: All the children were expected to do it too. “I asked my cousin if she would hit me with her car,” says Kaia. “I was like, please just run me over! I don’t want to go.”

Sierra had a more, I’ll-believe-it-when-I-see-it attitude. “I was [thinking], that’s hilarious, Mom and Dad. But slowly, we got closer to the date, and every birthday or Christmas present leading up involved hiking gear.” That’s when she realized this was happening.

“I grew up backpacking,” says Adam. “I went on my first real overnight backpack when I was 12 and fell in love with it. It was

up in the Cascades at a place called Spider Meadows. It was just beautiful, and I [thought], ‘This is fantastic.’ I have loved it ever since.”

Preparing for the Journey

Completing the Triple Crown had always been Adam’s dream. Growing up in Washington, he had hiked parts of the Pacific Crest Trail and always loved the experience, but now he set his sights on doing the whole thing. He wanted to hike the Appalachian and Continental Divide trails too.

But life moved forward, and he met and began a family with his wife, Mindi. “Of course, you have kids, and it’s like, well, that’s it, no more dreams, they’re all crushed,” he says, laughing.

It took going to a lecture on ultralight backpacking by famous hiker Andrew Skurka in 2012 for Adam to have his epiphany. He rushed home to Mindi to tell her the news. “Wait, we can do this with kids. This is doable.”

There is a difference, though, between desiring to do something that daunting and actually doing it; the commitment needed to

continued on next page

Photos courtesy Adam and Mindi Bennett

continued from previous page

make it happen is significant. “We reprioritized our lives and really got down and dirty as far as shrinking everything down and getting thrifty,” Adam explains.

While the family prepped, the kids, ages 16, 14, 12 and 9 at the time, home-schooled through River HomeLink in Battle Ground to get their studies in before leaving formal education for months to complete the hikes. Mindi emphasizes that the kids’ teachers and principal were very supportive. The family also had to develop a minimalistic lifestyle and move to another home to better prepare for what they were about to do.

In the beginning, not all of the Bennetts were on board with the plan. “I really didn’t want to do it,” Kaia remembers. “I’ve always been a really social person, and I didn’t want to leave my friends behind. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to hike. I didn’t want to be away from everyone for so long.” Despite her trepidation, she went along with the family planning, which was constantly evolving. “It’s not like you can train and do a 500-mile trail to get ready for a 2,650-mile trail [the length of the PCT],” says Mindi. “We did a lot of prep hikes, and we would do 100-milers and dial in our gear.”

Hiking gear is costly, but so is leaving your job for months. “It’s hard financially to say, ‘Yeah, we’re going to take time off, and we’re going to go and do this, and I’m going to be able to keep

health insurance and be able to feed the family and everything else,’” says Adam, but he had a valid reason for attempting this incredible experience now. “I just remember someone saying from the time that your kids are born, you have eighteen summers with them, and I said, ‘Wow, eighteen, that’s a very real number, and we are already halfway through these with our oldest.’ I’m not going to get those summers back, and I just know how life gets once you’re off at college and dating, getting married or starting a career. If this doesn’t happen now, it will never happen.”

Starting the Trek

After preparing as much as the family could, the Bennetts and their dog, Muir, set out one day in 2019 and began their trek through the Pacific Crest Trail.

As far as mental preparation, Mindi says you just have to do it. “You just have to go out there and start doing it, and the best thing we could have done was start slow, which we did with 7-mile days and built up to 20-plus mile days. We took that very seriously, and we went very slow. We saw other hikers around us who were just crushing miles, going fast, who had to go home early with injuries, and we were so fortunate that we could just keep plugging along slow and steady.”

continued on page 24

Page 22: The Bennett family at the trailheads of four out of 11 of America's National Scenic Trails. The family completed all four between 2019-2022.

Page 23: Adam and Ruby Bennett on the Pacific Crest Trail near Chester, CA in 2019.

Feature: The 8,000-Mile Family (cont'd)

continued from page 23

Each morning Mindi would wake the family up by shaking the tents. Then it would be time to get changed, pack everything up, get the food from the bear protection bags, eat a granola or protein bar for breakfast, say morning prayers as a family, then start the next day of hiking. The family would take breaks to drink or eat when needed, then around 6 pm, they would get the tents set up again, eat together as a family, possibly watch a show on Netflix and call it a day. “By the time the sun went down, we were asleep because it was so tiring,” laughs Sierra.

Day in and day out, the family followed the same routine, even eating the same cold-soaked Ramen with peanut butter and honey, which the youngest member of the Bennett family, Ruby, quickly disliked. “That got really old, and none of the girls would eat it, and eventually Tristan wouldn’t, so we changed to tortillas with spinach and tuna.”

Despite the repetitive nature of their adventure, the boredom never kicked in, and something extraordinary started to happen: The Bennetts began to have fun. They saw cool stuff, met hikers worldwide, and united and bonded as a family.

Even Kaia began to enjoy it more. “After about a week of being out there, I [realized], no, this is awesome. I was so worried that we would be isolated and away from other people, and I didn’t want to spend so much time with my family, but now they are my best friends.”

They also got to get unique and special hiking nicknames.

The tradition of nicknames for hikers began on the Appalachian Trail. There were so many hikers that it became easier to remember a nickname that told them more about their personality than their names could ever do. How one goes about getting a hiking handle is part of the fun. Some choose their name, like Mindi, who wanted to be called Wildflower. She had purple hair when the family was hiking the PCT and a passing hiker remarked that her hair looked like one of the nearby wildflowers, so Mindi asked if that could become her nickname. She didn’t mention that the wildflower nickname was the one she was hoping for.

Some nicknames develop from a hiker’s personality. Tristan got the name Turtle, but not just because of his green backpack. “I have a habit of whenever we stop, just flopping down against the nearest hill and trying to take a quick break even if it’s only for 15 seconds, and sometimes I get stuck there on my turtle shell backpack.” Kaia has an edge to her when she hikes. She gets hangry, gets stuff done and earned the nickname, Honey Badger. Sierra got her nickname by how she tackled the challenge. After reaching 100 miles on her first trail, she still had the energy to lift a heavy cooler. Another hiker mentioned that she must be an Amazon with all that strength, and the name Amazon stuck after that. Ruby got the nickname Ladybug from another hiker because continued on next page

The Bennett family at the Wind River Range along the Continental Divide Trail, 2021.

continued from previous page

of her sunburned face speckled with dirt. But when it comes to nicknames, Adam might have the most unique and somewhat terrifying one. “It’s Kidnapper!” He laughs. “Because I have the most kids on the trail!”

Connecting with Nature and Building Life Skills

Taking kids out in nature is important to Adam because he believes they can learn much about themselves during the experience. “I feel as a parent, it’s OK to push them to go ahead and say, ‘This is going to be hard, and you’re going to get snowed on, and it’s going to get cold, and your fingers are going to freeze, but you’re going to love it.’ They will not believe you at first, but they get to that point where it’s just, ‘Wow, this is what we do.’”

That tenacity was a big part of Mindi’s Triple Crown experience too. “Hopefully, we taught the kids that they can do hard things for the rest of their lives. Something will come up, and they can say, ‘I’ve got grit. I know that I can do this and just be able to plow through.’”

The whole Triple Crown took four years, between 2019 and 2022, to complete: six months on the Pacific Crest Trail, five months for

the Continental Divide, and five months for the Appalachian Trail. They also threw in the Pacific Northwest Trail, which took two and a half months.

More Miles to Come

What’s next for the Bennetts after accomplishing such an impressive goal? “We have a long bucket list of hikes all over the world, actually,” laughs Mindi. But this summer, the family plans to rest at home in Battle Ground. Tristan and Ruby asked their

continued on page 26

Family meal time in the Sierras along the Pacific Crest Trail, 2019.

Feature: The 8,000-Mile Family (cont'd)

continued from page 25

parents for a typical summer, and Mindi and Adam obliged. But just because they opted out this year doesn’t mean the whole family is resting.

Kaia plans to hike the Colorado trail with Sierra and her cousin. “I definitely want to go out there and hike more with anyone who enters my life, future partners, future children. Getting outdoors with children is very important, and I want to continue the tradition. Maybe not do it as much as we’ve done with 8,000 miles in the last four years but continuing to get outdoors and backpack for the rest of my life.”

As Adam learned, big hiking goals are doable if you have the right mindset. “You take it one day at a time. You take it one resupply at a time. I just always tell people, you just plan your hike as one 100-mile section, one resupply, so maybe [the] 80 miles between towns, and that’s one section, and you just do that, then you just do the one right after that.”

The baby steps mentality has helped the Bennetts beyond hiking trips. “Life is tough, but I can do today, and I can do this week and this month,” Adam says. “[The kids have] taken the idea of one resupply at a time, and now it’s one semester at a time, one section of my class at a time, or one whatever. And I think that’s a skill I’m really glad they’ve picked up on, and it will stick with them.” The Bennetts invite anyone to reach out with questions about backpacking with kids. Their website, kidsoutwild.com has links to their YouTube channel and Patreon page with Q&As, sharing many things they learned along the way.

“I’ve always looked at the outdoors as this amazing place to center yourself,” Adam says. “It’s a spiritual experience to me, to just be out there and see all the amazing things Mother Nature offers. There are just a lot of good things that come from being outdoors and being in nature, whether it’s the fresh air or whether it’s touching the grass. There are just not that many negatives.”

Kristen lives in Vancouver with her husband and daughter, Lilly. You can hear the whole family on 99.5 The Wolf during the Nick and Kristen Morning Show. When she is not working and writing, Kristen loves crafting, watching documentaries and going to escape rooms.

Top: The Bennett family at Mount Katahdin in Maine, the northern tip of the Appalachian Trail, September 2022. Middle: The Bennett family at mile marker 300 along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Bottom: The Bennett family at Mount Elbert along the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado, 2021.

1 THURSDAY

Ridgefield Raptors baseball opening game of the season at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC), 3101 S Hillhurst Rd., Ridgefield. Tickets $8-$20 at ridgefieldraptors.com. 6:30 pm

“A Search for Acceptance: The Joys and Challenges of Clark County’s LGBTQ+ Community from Early Contact through Today” Speaker Series at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. From the life and times of Kutenai spiritual leader, Kocomenepeca, through waves of public “hysteria” over homosexuality throughout the 1900s and the tragedy of Nikki Kuhnhausen in 2019, Clark County’s LGBTQ+ Community population has long found themselves the target for criminalization, victimization and erasure. Yet, in spite of the challenges they have built a strong and vibrant community in Clark County that celebrates its rich history. With each setback, they have continued to persevere and push for the protections and rights afforded the “straight” community. In this talk, April Buzby will look at the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Clark County – both their struggles and their victories. Tickets $5 at cchmuseurm.org. 7 pm

Journey Theater presents “The Velveteen Rabbit” at Crosspointe Baptist Church, 9180 NE 76th Ave., Vancouver. “Once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.” A stuffed toy rabbit’s quest to become real through the love of a child drives this adaptation of Margery Williams’ timeless tale that celebrates the power of love to transform our lives. Join a boy and his rabbit in a world of strange and wonderful magic with talking toys, wild adventures, and secret burrows, as they come to discover the true meaning of what it is to be Real. Tickets $16-$19 at journeytheater.org. 7 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.

2 FRIDAY

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

CCHMuseum AfterHours at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. 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 – Unicorns, Rainbows & Mythical Beasts. Games, activities, after-hours shopping, dining, prizes and more. 5-8 pm

YWCA Empower Gala at Hilton Vancouver, 301 W 6th St., Vancouver. Continue a legacy of empowering people across Clark County in the fight to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Tickets $150 at ywcaclarkcounty.org. 6-9:30 pm

Journey Theater presents “The Velveteen Rabbit” at Crosspointe Baptist Church, Vancouver. See Jun 1 for details. 7 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Antigone” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. The story of a young girl’s conviction to do what she feels is right

when the laws of the land are against her. Talkback after the June 3 matinee with the cast and director. Tickets $11-$15 at metropolitanperformingarts.org. 7 pm

3 SATURDAY

Big Paddle at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. Guided hikes and paddles, dragon boat paddles, kayaking and more. 8 am-3 pm

Junior Market/Lemonade Day at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. Kids from across the region are invited to sell their hand-made or home-grown products at the Junior Market, giving young entrepreneurs an opportunity to test their skills as they run their own business for a day at no cost. Shoppers are encouraged to support these youth by shopping at the market, adjacent to Vancouver Farmers Market. 9 am-3 pm

Pop Up Party in the Park with Columbia Play Project at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. Pop in for some free fun with Columbia Play Project! 9 am-3 pm

Camtown Youth Festival at Crown Park, NE Everett Rd., Camas. Free event for ages 3-16 and their families. Entertainment, food, craft activities, inflatable games, petting zoo, art show, kids’ flea market and more! 11 am-4 pm

Parkersville Day at Parker’s Landing, 24 S A St., Washougal. Free family-friendly celebration of local history! Experience Parkersville 1879 with games and prizes. Learn from storytellers, booths and displays. Participate with volunteers. Learn about local history museums and groups, Chinook Indian Nation, WSU Heritage Trees, service clubs and more. Enjoy Ice Cream Renaissance. See Washougal schools’ art contest with Chinook theme. Hear the Washougal High School band. 12-3 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Antigone.” See Jun 2 for details. 2 pm & 7 pm

T RI A TH L O N

FIRST TRIATHLON OF 2023— FAIRVIEW, OREGON

June 3-4, 2023

• Kids Triathlon • 5K

• Olympic/Sprint/My First Tri • Tri/Du/Aquabike/Paddle

June 15–18, 2023

•

•

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

continued from previous page

Journey Theater presents “The Velveteen Rabbit” at Crosspointe Baptist Church, Vancouver. See Jun 1 for details. 3 pm & 7 pm

4 SUNDAY

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

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “Antigone.” See Jun 2 for details. 2 pm

8 THURSDAY

Comedy on Tap at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Headliner Kermit Apio and other hot comedians, plus host and booker Tristian Spillman. Tickets $15 at kigginstheatre.com. 8 pm

9 FRIDAY

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park. See Jun 2 for details. 4-8 pm

The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra at Providence Academy Ballroom, 400 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. Live music and dancing to the tunes of the roaring 20s and

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

Depression-era 30s. Tickets $10 at the door or online at historicmusic.org/upcomingevents. 7-9 pm

10 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

Columbia Springs Fishing Celebration at Battle Ground Lake State Park, 18002 NE 249th St., Battle Ground. Casting practice, fishy art, interactive presentations from experts, science and nature games, tackle giveaways, lamprey fun and more! Plus, enter to win a mystery prize! Advanced registration is required, and cost is $5. Register at columbiasprings.org/events/fishingcelebration. 10 am-2 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “The Ugly Duckling” at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. A new play written by Metropolitan Performing Arts’ Will Johnson! Free for the whole family, but space is limited, so reserve your tickets in advance at metropolitanperformingarts.org.

11 am & 2 pm

Pride Block Party at Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary, 109 W 7th St., Vancouver. Come celebrate Pride Month! Hosted by Queer Youth Resource Center and Dandelion Teahouse. 1-7 pm

Clark County Historical Museum Gala & Fundraiser at Summit Grove Lodge. 30810 NE Timmen Rd., Ridgefield. Theme: Casino Royale! More information at cchmuseum.org/ calendar/2023-gala. 5-8 pm

11 SUNDAY

Impact Camas-Washougal at Parker’s Landing, 24 S A St., Washougal. Help pack food boxes for families in need, and a free community BBQ while listening to CW Orchestra. 12-2 pm

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “The Ugly Duckling” See Jun 10 for details. 2 pm

14 WEDNESDAY

Summer at Your Library Kickoff Party at Woodland Community Library, 770 Park St., Woodland. Sign up for summer activities and get a schedule of all the events! 10:30-11:30 am

continued on page 30

continued from page 29

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

16 FRIDAY

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park. See Jun 2 for details. 4-8 pm

1920s Murder Mystery Party at Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave., Camas. Join Camas Public Library for a 1920s themed murder mystery to celebrate the Library’s centennial year. It’s 1923, and the party seems endless at Jay Glittersby’s New York mansion . . . until a shot rings out and an unwelcome guest is found dead. Register at cityofcamas.us/library. 6:30-9:30 pm

17 SATURDAY

Wander Clark County Historic Walking Tours – Old City Cemetery at 2700 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Whether you are a history buff, love funerary art or are just curious about the people who shaped this community, a visit to historic Old City Cemetery is a treat! Join Clark County Historical Museum as we explore one of the city’s earliest cemeteries. Hear the stories of the visionaries who built Vancouver – their struggles and triumphs in building a new life for their families. Tickets $8 at cchmuseum. org. 9-11 am

Summer Reading Kickoff Party at Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave., Camas. Fun activities around the Library to celebrate the start of our Summer Reading Program! While you’re here, pick up your gameboard to track your reading. There will be stampers for the first 100 kids who take a gameboard, and the first 25 teens and adults will get a Summer Reading tote. 10 am-12 pm

Summer at Your Library Kickoff Party at LeRoy Haagen Memorial Park, 13002 NE 9th St., Vancouver. Summer at Your Library 2023 with activities for all ages in the park! Also: Kraken Up build-your-own egg flinging device without it breaking! 12-1 pm

K-Pop Celebration at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. Celebrate all things K-Pop with crafts, games and snacks to share. Meet other fans and gush over your favorite bands. For all ages. 3-5 pm

Junior Symphony of Vancouver Concert at Cascades Presbyterian Church, 9503 NE 86th St., Vancouver. Featuring Symphony No. 2, William Boyce; Six Hungarian Folksongs, Béla Bartók, arr. Gábor Darvas; Flower Duet, from Lakmé, Leo Delibes, arr. Douglas Stroud; Hill

Country Rhapsody, Richard E. Brown; Simple Symphony, Benjamin Britten. Tickets $15 at the door, reception following. 7:30 pm

20 TUESDAY

Kracken Up at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. How many ways can you fling an egg without it breaking? Let’s find out by building your own egg flinging device! 3:30-4:30 pm

Reptileman at Washougal Community Library, 1661 C St., Washougal. Live reptile presentation! The Reptileman presents, entertains and teaches about reptiles with humor and patience. 4:30 pm

21 WEDNESDAY

Alice in Wonderland Summer Kickoff Event at La Center Community Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center. Enjoy a magical trip down the rabbit hole with Alice and her friends, plus activities, crafts, snacks and plenty of fun. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary (there may be prizes!). 3-5 pm

Reptileman at Woodland Community Library, 770 Park St., Woodland. Live reptile presentation! The Reptileman presents, entertains and teaches about reptiles with humor and patience. 4:30 pm

Musicians in the Park. See Jun 14 for details. 12-1:30 pm

22 THURSDAY

Jugglemania at Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground. Hilarious physical comedy for family audiences, JuggleMania showcases juggling, magic, science, and feats of hilarity and dexterity. 10 am

Comedy for the Kids with Angel Ocasio / Comedia Para Los Niños con Angel Ocasio at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. 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. 11 am

Summer at Your Library Ice Cream Kickoff at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C Tenney Rd., Vancouver. Start your summer of reading off right with ice cream! Enjoy a cool,

yummy treat while you sign up for the Summer At Your Library reading program. 11 am-3 pm

Reptileman at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Live reptile presentation! The Reptileman presents, entertains and teaches about reptiles with humor and patience. 6 pm

23 FRIDAY

80s Popsicle Party at My Gym Fisher’s Landing, 1825 SE 164th Ave #112, Vancouver. Get ready to party like it’s 1983! You’re invited to an 80s Popsicle Party benefiting My Gym Foundation and celebrating 40 years of My Gym! So, grab your leg warmers, scrunchies, all things neon, and come party with us with fun 80s-themed activities and games. Plus, popsicles! $10 donation per child. 3 pm

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park. See Jun 2 for details. 4-8 pm

24 SATURDAY

Wander Clark County Historic Walking Tours – Downtown Vancouver at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Take a tour through the notable buildings and events in the history of Downtown Vancouver, Washington. Tickets $8 at cchmuseum.org. 9-11 am

Pollinator Festival at Clark Public Utilities, 8600 NE 117th Ave., Vancouver. Celebrate National Pollinator Week at this free outdoor festival. Pollinator garden tours, presentations, pollinator-friendly plants and seeds, crafts and activities for children. Plus, demo beehive and pop-up Farmers Market, with food trucks and music. 10 am-4 pm

Family Play Day with Columbia Play Project at Vancouver Waterfront Park. 10 am-4 pm

Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe at Vancouver Mall (Center Court), 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr., Vancouver. 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. 11 am

Fort Vancouver Rose Society Annual Rose Show at First Evangelical Church, 4120 NE St Johns Rd., Vancouver. Come see the largest rose show in the state of Washington and the second largest in the country. There will be exhibits of the Northwest: Hybrid Teas,

continued on next page

We’re

Go to VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/ giveaways to enter for a chance to win a huge prize package, worth more than $2600!

Scan to enter!

Package includes prizes from the following sponsors:

Giveaway ends June 30, 2023. Must be 18 or older to enter.

continued from previous page

Floribundas, Grandifloras, Old Garden Roses, Miniatures and Mini-Floras. All these roses, plus beautiful floral arrangements, will be on display. Free and open to the public. 1-4 pm

Camas Car Show in Downtown Camas. Come stroll the beautiful streets of historic Downtown Camas and enjoy the many classic and custom cars and trucks that fill the town, including old favorites and new discoveries in this 16th annual event. 2-7 pm

Pegasus Puppets at Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave., Camas. Enjoy “East of the Sun and West of the Moon,” the Norwegian version of a fairy tale told in many lands by many different names, such as “The White Bear,” “Cupid and Psyche” and “Beauty and the Beast.” 2 pm

Downstage Center Productions presents “The Twilight Zone: Will the Real Percussionist Please Stand Up?” at 404 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. Adapted by Shae Whelchel. Tickets $15. 2 pm & 7 pm

Supper & Social at Pomeroy Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. Dinner, silent auction, live music, fun and games—all benfitting Pomeroy Farm’s educational programming and other activities. Tickets $85 at pomeroyfarm.org (21+). 4-8 pm

25 SUNDAY

Downstage Center Productions presents “The Twilight Zone: Will the Real Percussionist Please Stand Up?” See Jun 24 for details. 2 pm

Jugglemania at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Hilarious physical comedy for family audiences, JuggleMania showcases juggling, magic, science, and feats of hilarity and dexterity. 2 pm

27 TUESDAY

Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe at Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney Rd., Vancouver. 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. 9:30 am

28 WEDNESDAY

Talewise – Science Heroes: Saving the Earth Together at La Center Community

Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center. 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 exciting science experiments that bring this story to life! For ages 3–11 and their families. 10 am

Musicians in the Park. See Jun 14 for details. 12-1:30 pm

29 THURSDAY

Taylor Fest at Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave., Camas. Calling all Swifties! Celebrate all things Taylor with friendship bracelet making, and bring a piece of clothing to bejewel. Register at cityofcamas.us/library. 6:30-8 pm

30 FRIDAY

Friday Night Cruise In at Alderbrook Park. See Jun 2 for details. 4-8 pm

celebrating of serving Southwest Washington with our biggest giveaway ever!