Umatilla County Fair & Farm City Pro Rodeo | East Oregonian & Hermiston Herald | 11
‘Kids camp’
provides an inside look at fair
By TAMMY MALGESINI
EO Media Group
F
un @ the Fair Day Camp — the
name says it all.
Often referred to as sim-
ply “Kids Camp,” the special program
for students entering fi rst through fi fth
grade in the fall off ers a sort of back-
stage pass at the Umatilla County Fair,
said Angie McNalley, fair director.
“It gives kids a good behind-the-
scenes view of what their big sisters and
brothers and cousins are doing in 4-H
and FFA,” she said. “Also, they get to
do things regular fair patrons don’t get
to do.”
Tammy Wagner founded the spe-
cial day camp in 2012 after presenting
the idea to the fair board. The camp was
initially developed to off er an option for
parents working at the fair or involved
with kid’s older siblings in 4-H and FFA.
McNalley said the camp provides activ-
ities and is fully supervised Wednes-
day through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.
McNalley said the camp was an
instant hit. Because of its popularity, it
was expanded and open to the general
Ben Lonergan/EO Media Group, File
Fun at the Fair Camp participants perform “Baby Shark” on Aug. 9, 2019, at the Les
Schwab Stage at the Umatilla County Fair, Hermiston.
public, up to 40 children. The program
has even been recognized with an award
from the Oregon Fair Association.
“We could probably take 200 chil-
dren if we had the resources,” McNal-
ley said. “It’s always very, very popular.
Parents are very happy we have it.”
The day camp is designed for kids
who do well in large groups as they par-
ticipate in various activities on the fair-
grounds. The camp is staff ed for the size
of the group, which includes assistance
from middle school and high school stu-
dents, who serve as volunteers earning
community service experience in the
process.
In addition to hanging out in the ani-
mal barns, participants get a chance to
pet and interact with the animals. Also,
campers get an opportunity to meet the
fair’s secondary act performers, often
getting private shows. Time is also
spent engaging in science experiments
and arts and crafts activities, as well as
attending shows, viewing exhibits and
roaming the fairgrounds to see every-
thing the fair has to off er. Also, camp-
ers will even get to perform on the fair’s
Les Schwab stage on Friday.
Sponsored by Family Health Asso-
ciates, the cost is $75 per camper. The
fee includes a camp T-shirt, fair admis-
sion and a one-day carnival wristband
for unlimited rides, which can be used
while with their family after the camp
ends either on Friday or Saturday.
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