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Stories by Danielle Frost

email icon danielle.frost@camaspostrecord.com

August 6, 2013
Vacation Bible School at Camas United Methodist Church focused on getting to know neighbors near and far. Themed service projects, which each represented a different country, were done on a daily basis.

VBS programs reach out to Camas-Washougal kids in the summer

Every summer, groups of volunteers congregate at local churches, where they spend many hours planning and hosting vacation Bible school events.The focus of VBS programs vary depending on their yearly theme, but organizers at several different churches all emphasized that the main purpose is to provide a caring environment for young people to get to know themselves and God more, and to learn to reach out to others in need. Bree Truax, youth and Christian education ministries coordinator at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas said regardless of belief, all are welcome at VBS. "No question is too big or wrong," she said. "We come as we are, together, to share life and love. God's love is expressed in countless ways in the world, and VBS is one vehicle for it as we play, seek, sing, explore and more."

August 1, 2013
A string of classic cars from the Flying Eagle As Model A Ford Car Club delighted the crowd at the Grand Parade.

Camas Days spectacular

Whether it was the Grand Parade, the Kids Parade or all the activities in between, Camas Days was once again a crowd pleaser. The fun kicked off Friday with the annual Kids Parade. Children dressed in all matter of things "Outta This World" flooded the streets with smiles and tossed candy to eager onlookers. The Camas Days theme gave young ones full use for their imaginations. It was organized by Camas Parks and Recreation, which gave each participant a pair of unique sunglasses and a ribbon. Parade participants ranged from community groups to the Camas Public Library to families out enjoying the day. Erin Waller of Camas came with her three children, who dressed as martians in green body paint and eyeball sunglasses. "This is our first year in the Kids Parade and we're excited," she said. "We just love the big parade."

July 31, 2013

Fines policy saves Washougal School District money

After years of textbooks being lost and sports uniforms going MIA, the Washougal School District decided enough was enough. At the beginning of the 2012-13 school year, the district began using an electronic system to scan textbooks, increasing communication with students, parents and coaches, and prohibiting students with a missing uniform or equipment to participate in sports until the items were returned. Transcripts were not released to graduating seniors unless all fines were paid. This has resulted in more than $7,000 worth of fines and fees paid, and lost items returned as of June.

July 23, 2013
A variety of students access Hathaway's free summer lunch program, from those in local Community Education programs to those participating in credit recovery. The lunches run from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, until Aug. 16.

Washougal’s Hathaway Elementary School program includes free lunches, summer camps, academics and activities

Sometimes it takes just a small idea to create a ripple of change.That is what is happening in the Washougal School District this summer. At Hathaway Elementary School, students from pre-kindergarten through high school level are receiving extra academic help, along with free, nutritious lunches; and they are participating in enrichment activities. This is the result of a collaboration between district administrators, teachers, staff, health centers and local volunteers. "Even just at the beginning of this program, the level of conversation, the amount of attention each of these kids are able to receive, is so beneficial," said David Tudor, curriculum director.

July 23, 2013
Kandai Shimada's poster promoting school bus saftey won a statewide contest, and will be judged at the national level in October.

Fourth-grader wins statewide poster contest

Kandai Shimada's winning poster reads, "At my stop, you stop."It shows children exiting a school bus, with drivers waiting in the background. The poster has impressed judges at several levels. It won first-place honors at both the Camas School District, regional and state levels. Shimada, soon to be a fifth-grader at Grass Valley Elementary, will have his poster entered into a national contest with the opportunity to win a savings bond of $1,000 and have his work displayed during the 2014 National School Bus Safety Week. He received $50 for his statewide win, and is contemplating buying a new baseball bat. "It felt good to win and I was also surprised," Shimada said. "The poster (idea) was the first thing that came to me. I just kept working on it. I do a lot of contests for art."

July 23, 2013

Washougal’s Hathaway Elementary School will offer full-day kindergarten

Starting this fall, Hathaway Elementary School will offer full-day kindergarten at no additional out-of-pocket costs to parents. The funding is a step toward compliance with the Supreme Court McCleary decision, which mandates lawmakers must fully fund basic education, including kindergarten, by 2018. Grants for full-day kindergarten at schools with the highest rates of poverty will be first priority. In Washougal, Hathaway was the only school to qualify, with a free- and reduced-price lunch rate of approximately 62.7 percent, compared with 34 percent at Gause Elementary and 32.5 percent at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary. There were no schools in Camas which qualified.

July 16, 2013
Danielle Frost/Post-Record Robin Dobson and Kathleen Perillo own and operate Klickitat Canyon Winery. Here, they relax in their Stevenson tasting room.

Washougal couple is committed to sustainable practices at their Lyle vineyard

"Experience wine the way nature makes it."This is the philosophy behind Washougal couple Robin Dobson and Kathleen Perillo's business, Klickitat Canyon Winery. From the soil in which the grapes grow to when the wine is sold, everything is as natural as possible. Their vineyard is one of only three in the state of Washington that makes certified organic wines. There are no sulfites, yeasts, clarifiers or chemicals. These days, "clean eating" is becoming a common practice in many households, but Dobson said he was making wine without additives long before that. "I've always done it this way," he said. "It's the traditional way of making wine in Europe. I want the grapes to speak for themselves."

July 16, 2013

CHS student wins big

When Meghal Sheth won a coveted spot at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, she was thrilled. As one of only 10 students from the state of Washington to win the all-expenses-paid trip to Phoenix, Ariz., Sheth, 16, enjoyed being surrounded by others who shared her passions. She was joined by her friend and fellow Camas High School sophomore Sophie Shoemaker. "It was a surreal and humbling experience," Sheth said. "It was amazing being surrounded by kids who have the same passion for science and who are conducting breakthrough research in many different fields of math and science."

July 16, 2013
Camas runner Alexa Efraimson finished in third place at the World Championships, held July 10 to 14, in Ukraine.

Efraimson takes third at World Youth meet

It was less than three years ago that a Camas eighth-grader named Alexa Efraimson first began turning heads after she helped lead the Evergreen Storm Track Club to eighth place at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. That skinny girl with braces is now a world-class high school runner, having earned a bronze medal for Team U.S.A. at the World Youth Track and Field Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine. Competing in a field of 12 finalists, who are among the best youth athletes in the world, Efraimson finished the 1,500 meter final in 4:16:07. Ethiopians Tigist Gashaw (4:14.25) and Dawit Seyaum (4:15.51), took first and second place. Efraimson edged out Bobby Clay of Great Britain down the final stretch. Clay finished in 4:16:41.