Camp Quixote comes to the S. Capitol 'hood

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Camp Quixote comes to the S. Capitol 'hood

Submitted by CIAGuy on Wed, 07/11/2007 - 6:03am.

Yesterday evening I got a visit from a member of the St. John's Episcopal Church letting me know that they are planning to host Camp Quixote for six weeks beginning August 16, 2007. This means the camp will be in the 'hood when school starts at Lincoln. I expressed concerns about the proximity of the school and was told the church is in contact with the school board. My concern is more the school community. Being summer we're all dispersed and the usual methods of contact and organizing are not readily available.

Anyway the church is having a public meeting this Saturday July 14 from 2 to 5 pm in the St. John's Episcopal church Parish Hall (entrance faces 19th Ave) to "...answer all your questions about the camp and its purpose, its recent history in Olympia, safety and code issues, camp layout and foot print and the effects on the neighborhood."

I applaud the outreach but I think there is a key component of the community that is likely to be missed due to the timing.

CIAGuy's blog
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it just ain't fair

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Wed, 07/11/2007 - 6:14pm.

people don't have the opportunity to make comments and have input on this matter. it is summertime and people are on vacation, spending time with their families, and generaly having a good time. the homeless, however are just so damn inconvenient. they don't go on vacation, they are just here all the time being homeless. please remember it is the homeless that are powerless, homeowners, schools, churches, businesses, government, have all the power. i'm sure the "stakeholders" will fend for themselves quite well regardless of all the fun they may be having this summer.

"I would make it impossible for the covetous and avaricious to utterly impoverish the poor. The rich can take care of themselves."
^@^

I got nothing against

Submitted by CIAGuy on Wed, 07/11/2007 - 12:49pm.

I got nothing against the Episcoplians hosting the camp. I just figure if the curch is going to do outreach they ought to know there's another transient, yet important, part of the community to consider. If you want to talk about power, let's consider the perspective of a 5 year old.

CIAGuy

Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 07/11/2007 - 4:10pm.

I'm wondering what some of the realistic concerns of parents are. I'd really like to hear them, and be able to address them. Some I here are a bit offensive (think Olympian comments' stuff about child rapists at the camp), but I'm wondering what parents are really concerned about. If you have some, please share here or in a PM.

Parental Concerns

Submitted by CIAGuy on Wed, 07/11/2007 - 4:17pm.

I don't know what other parents' concerns are. But I would think the homeless and those who advocate for them would be concerned that folks are informed and have the opportunity to participate. I'd like for you to hear them too, but if they aren't there it makes it kind of tough doesn't it? Lincoln is an "alternative" elementary school and as such draws students from beyond it service area. These people aren't getting the door-to-door notfication that those of us lucky enough to live in the 'hood are. All I'm trying to do is spread the word among those folks but everyone thinks I'm opposed. I'm a bit shocked at how defensive folks are.

I hope I didn't come across

Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 07/11/2007 - 4:30pm.

I hope I didn't come across as defensive at all, I was being honest. Please do spread the word, the more people that we can get to our forums the better. One great thing about the rotating camp site is that we get to do community outreach in all of these different neighborhoods, which in turn breaks stereotypes down.

Hi CIAguy

Submitted by Phil Owen on Wed, 07/11/2007 - 10:31pm.

I was the fellow that dropped by your house. Wish you had mentioned that you're on Olyblog! I do remember talking to you; it was good to meet you.

Please do contact any parents you know. We really do want to be able to satisfy everyone's concerns, and meetings like this Saturday are the best way to do that. We'll have info on the rules of the camp, the agreement with the city, the background check process for the campers, how the camp manages and polices itself, and the involvement of church volunteers. The better informed the community is on all this stuff, the more comfortable people will be, I think. It will also be a good time for us at the church to take input from the community; such imput led to the decision to begin the 24 hour volunteer hosts at the United Churches (we plan to continue this practice). Having volunteer hosts present around the clock has helped to satisfy the concerns of the neighbors, and it has also done extraordinary things to build community between the camp and the church! So your imput DOES make a difference.

Thanks again,

-Phil

The Canaanite's Call

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