Camping overnight at Los Alamitos Elementary School is an annual tradition that brought together approximately 100 families and 433 campers on Sept. 20 to play, eat, dance and enjoy each other’s company.
Camping overnight at Los Alamitos Elementary School is an annual tradition that brought together approximately 100 families and 433 campers on Sept. 20 to play, eat, dance and enjoy each other’s company.
The evening began with contemporary tunes provided by DJ Kenny Torres, dinner served by food trucks (The Burnt Tortilla and Dogzilla) complete with root beer floats and s’mores, a campfire, flashlight hike and a big screen movie. Field games set up by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Youth Advisory Board Member Erik Okino was also present. Children bought glow bracelets, rings and necklaces at the camp general store, danced around the roaring camp fire and were entertained by storyteller Terry Koepke.
The next morning kicked off early with a delicious fruit pancake and sausage breakfast served and cooked by parent volunteers. One camper remarked, “Pancakes always taste great after you’ve slept outside!” Finally, parents packed up while kids played until everyone broke camp and went off to their Saturday activities.
Dr. Sunghie Park Okino, principal at LAE commented, “I saw two families who had just met during Camp LAE shake hands and thank each other as they parted. This is why we do this every year. It is our biggest welcome back to school event and our goal is to help families make connections with each other and the school.”
“This is a truly memorable event that has become a special LAE tradition,” remarked one parent. “What other time can you camp with all your friends from school and have so much fun?”