County offers Care Camps for kids affected by Eaton Fire

Daily Care Camps will open at several Los Angeles County Parks Department starting next week in an attempt to offer a fun and supportive space for children and teens affected by the Eaton Fire in the San Gabriel Valley, officials announced Saturday.

The camps aim to help families under mandatory evacuations, displaced due to the fires or directly affected by the wildfires by providing a space where children ages 5-12 “can learn, play, and thrive while parents focus on recovery,” according to the Parks Department. Some locations will offer programming for youth ages 12-17. 

“The events from this week have been tragic and traumatic experiences for all of our communities, but especially for residents displaced by the wildfires that have swept through many parts of our County,” 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. “We want to support the emotional and physical well-being of children and families during these challenging times. LA County Parks is partnering with the Dodgers Foundation, the Natural History Museum, the La Brea Tar Pits, LA County Arboretum, LA Philharmonic and Altadena Libraries, to provide field trips, activities, and nutrition at no cost to families. It takes a community to rebuild, and we are determined to do our part.”

Care Camps are coordinated by trained staff with a 1:5 staff-to-participant ratio with the goal of providing personalized attention and care for every camper, officials said. Each camp also will include parent lounges, where parents may drop in periodically or stay for the entire duration of the camp.

The camps will provide music, arts and crafts, sports and field trips to the LA County Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, Dodger Stadium and more. 

Two Care Camp locations will have teen centers for ages 13-17 with extended program hours and age-appropriate activities. Officials said the aim is to provide “a safe space for older youth to connect, engage, and receive support” amid very difficult times.

“LA County Parks is part of the fabric of the Altadena and Greater Altadena community,” department Director Norma E. García-González said in a statement. “LA County Parks staff want to make sure that our youth and families know they are not alone. We are here to support the community in this time of need with Care Camps.”

Care Camps will operate Monday, Jan. 13 through Jan. 31. Kids camps for ages 5-12 are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Teen camps for ages 13-17 are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Each child will receive two snacks in the morning and afternoon plus a lunch. Teen attendees also receive a supper in the evening.

The camps are located at:

• Pamela Park, 2236 Goodall Ave. in Duarte. This has both children and teens’ camps.
• Arcadia Park , 405 S. Santa Anita Ave. This camp also accommodates both kids and teens.
• Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park , 3901 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta. This camp is for youth ages 5-12.
• LA County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia. This is also for youths 5-12.

To register online, visit parks.lacounty.gov/care-camps.

More information is available by emailing recprograms@parks.lacounty.gov.

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