Vacaville Parks and Rec hosts annual recreation expo
The Vacaville Parks and Recreation Department hosted its annual Recreation Expo on Saturday at the Ulatis Community Center.
The free event allows the public to explore the camps and recreational activities that Parks and Rec will be offering this summer.
As it poured rain outside, countless booths lined the inside of the community center. A camping scene was set up in the middle of the room complete with tents, trees, kayaks, campfires, lanterns and camping chairs — a preview of what's to come for campers once the wet weather subsides.
Some of the many booths included swimming/aquatics, youth sports, adult sports, gymnastics, arts and activity camps, cultural arts, teen recreation and therapeutic recreation. Other Vacaville entities that attended the expo included School of Rock Vacaville, Just 4 Kicks Solano Soccer, Vaca Waves Summer Swim and the Peña Adobe Historical Society.
There were activities for kids to enjoy, including cornhole, crafts and even a scavenger hunt. Children squealed in delight as they ran from one booth to the next.
Leidy Madera said her children, ages 12, 7 and 4 are not sure what activities they will be participating in yet this summer, so the expo was the perfect way to help them make a decision.
“It's helpful because the catalog has so much stuff, but here they can guide you,” said Madera.
Another perk of the expo was a 10% discount on all summer camps. There was a “pay later” option for summer camps available as well.
Kids were able to meet their potential instructors and were given the first opportunity to register for the programs.
“For us, it brings the community together,” said Vacaville Director of Parks and Recreation Reggie Hubbard. “Residents inside can get information on our camps and programs but also communicate and see people they haven't seen in awhile. That's a tremendous benefit.
“I had one young lady come up to me and say she had no idea we do all this stuff. She came here to sign up for swimming, but now she is going to do multiple programs. It opens them up to other things we do in the department.”
If you missed the expo, but would like to explore this summer's offerings, visit: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/ vacaville-ca/catalog.