KIDS CAMP
A fair experience unlike any other
Though it was designed for ven-
dors and 4-H presenters to get
a break from their children and
younger siblings — and vice
versa — the Umatilla County
Fair’s Summer Fun Kids Camp
has grown into much more than
a distraction.
children who are entering fi rst
through fi fth grade, the camp
provides a more in-depth and
behind the scenes opportunity
for kids to experience all the arts
and crafts, animals, science ex-
periments, music and more that
the fair has to offer.
Now open to the public for 40 “The kids see things that usual
East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald
patrons of the fair don’t get to the camp is held in a tent, though
see,” fair director Angie McNal- she added that most of the day
ley said.
is spent roaming around the
grounds.
Those “things” include private
shows from the fair’s entertain- According to McNalley, the
ment acts and chances to interact camp has already won an award
with and pet the animals.
from the Oregon Fair Associ-
ation for its success. Wagner is
Tammy Wagner founded the hoping for more though, and
camp in 2012 after presenting to said one day she’d like to see the
the fair board about the need she fair dedicate a whole section to
saw for parents working at the kids as some other fairs do.
fair and teenagers who were pre-
senting animals to have a trusted The camp is for kids who work
place for their kids or younger well in large groups and can
siblings to spend time. The camp function independently as the
was an immediate hit. McNalley camp takes them through the
said they’ve had to cap it at 40 animal barns and all across the
kids, though they could easily fairgrounds. Middle and high
fi ll up to 80 spots if they had the school students volunteer as
capacity.
camp leaders and can earn com-
munity service hours in the pro-
“It’s easier to know where your cess. Wagner said many camp-
kid is then letting them run goers who are now too old to
around or making sure there’s participate come back to help.
a family member or friend to
watch them,” McNalley said.
This year, campers will also
perform a rehearsed dance at
Wagner said the issue is that the fair’s Les Schwab stage on
there’s just not enough space to Friday.
expand at this point. Currently,
Umatilla County Fair 2019 | 15