For the first time, actual dates for the pediatric Covid vaccines have been given since the announced rollout earlier in June. Parents have been told to contact their pediatricians about the vaccines, but because the vials hold 10 doses and must be used within 12 hours of opening, many medical providers in small towns and more rural areas have yet to open their schedule to giving the shots.
The Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, Clemens Primary School in Philomath, and Monroe High School will host vaccination events for children 6 months to 11 years old in late July. For those 12 and older, Oregon State University has a community vaccination event, with “most” COVID-19 vaccines available.
The Boys and Girls Club event is scheduled for Sunday, July 24, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; Clemens Primary School, Friday, July 22, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.; and Monroe High School, Saturday, July 23, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Many pharmacies, as well as SamCare Express and Samaritan Pharmacy locations, have said they will not administer Covid vaccines for small children.
Summer “Bucket List”: If you’re anything like me, you have no idea what to do this summer.
The idea is always out there to travel, but if you’re like me and half of the rest of the world, you’ve probably noticed that travel has become expensive, unsustainable and just not very fun anymore.
And so, if you’re, again, like me, you do one thing: give yourself and your family a break.
Take a vacation from your problems, to rip off a brilliant psychologist.
Below I’ve got not so much a list of things to do, but an assortment of ideas and things to consider — and maybe a few to-do’s — as we map out our first real summer… sorta… post-Covid. And what better way to experience a summer vacation than to chill out, lie low and help the local businesses and organizations that have often struggled over the past two years?
Personally, my family has decided to eat the cost of the flights we purchased last year. After buying insurance on our tickets, and rescheduling, and then paying more, and then rescheduling because of faulty information that children 5 and under might be vaccinated by April (yay!…no? fine, whatever), the idea of spending a minimum of a few grand for a short weekend out of town didn’t sound so relaxing anymore.
And honestly? The weather in Corvallis (pollen counts excluded) has been more than hospitable. And with a garden that hasn’t needed watering until this past week, why go anywhere when everyone wants to come here anyway?
So here are fun things you can do as a family:
Corvallis Knights: This one may be more obvious, but it’s a perennial favorite. Even I, a self-proclaimed baseball dissenter, can’t help the allure of a warm summer day lounging in the stands, eating nachos or a dog (don’t call the ASCPA—you know what I mean), and drinking an overpriced, but blissful, beer (plus Tuesdays and Wednesdays are half price on beer and wine, respectively).
Where else can you experience local flavors, small-town baseball, and an easy family night out?
Philomath Frolic and Rodeo: Yes, Philomath’s annual rodeo is back July 7–9, but more important: it needs your help. On June 27, a fire damaged part of the grandstands. The board said it examined the damage and consulted its insurer and has decided to go on with the event as planned. But they are asking for donations to help rebuild the grandstands. Meaning, there is a chance to help your community and have some family fun! A win-win situation for all.
KidSpirit Summer Camps: Registration is currently open for Oregon State University’s popular KidSpirit summer camps. Programs started in June and run to Sept. 2, and are available for children ages 2 to 18. Full-day and half-day options are available. And, yes, there are still some spots open.
City Youth Camps: Corvallis Parks and Recreation holds youth and outdoor camps through the summer, with pre- and post-care drop-off and pickup available for most youth camps. Programs run from weekly camps to one-off adventures and sports leagues. The camps vary from $40 to $130.
Rock Climbing Camps: Valley Rock Gym has started summer camps this year for 6- to 12-year-olds through Sept. 2. Camps go for five days and run three hours for kids ages 6 to 8 or five hours for kids 9 to 12. Three-hour camps cost $275; five-hour camps cost $350.
Park Play Dates: HOME (Helping Our Moms Excel), a Corvallis group for moms of children 5 and younger, has organized and posted summer play dates in different local parks on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
OMSI Star Parties 2022: The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) pairs up with the Rose City Astronomers and Oregon Parks and Recreation through the summer for star viewing at Rooster Rock (located on the Columbia River near Corbett, on Aug. 12) and Stub Stewart State Park (northwest of Portland, on July 16 and Sept. 17). The events are free; parking is $5 per vehicle. Telescopes are provided, but you can bring your own.
Plus, both of these locations have nearby trails, fruit stands, and historic places you can visit to make a fun day of it. Although, you’ll want to plan ahead because the Multnomah Falls area – as well as the surrounding falls – are accessible by permit only from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. due to the summer rush of visitors.
Oregon Coast Aquarium Play Area: This favorite Newport attraction has recently opened its new play area and amphitheater, amid ongoing construction. Kids — and grownups — can jump over logs, explore an eagle’s nest (it’s not real), climb a watchtower, and slide down a river chute (not real, either). Improvements to the café and moon jelly exhibit are also expected this summer.
Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum: Summer camps at the McMinnville attraction for 3rd through 9th graders are back this year, though before and after care will not be provided. The Aviation Camp starts July 25, and the Galaxy Camp begins Aug. 1. Scholarships and membership discounts are available.
Okay, now back to regular business:
School Board Meets at Lincoln over Summer: The Corvallis School Board will meet twice over the summer, on July 7 and Aug. 11, at the Lincoln Elementary gym, located at 110 SE Alexander Ave., while Harding Center is being renovated.
Agendas are not available for those meetings yet, but typically get posted the Friday before the Thursday meetings on the district’s Boardbook website. Start times are still 6:30 p.m. for most regular and business meetings and can run until 9:30 p.m.
Franklin and Cheldelin Announce New Administrators: Franklin K–8 School has a new principal, and Cheldelin Middle School announced a new assistant principal, both to start their roles July 1.
Amy Wright, who is returning to the Corvallis School District after a stint as assistant principal at North Albany Middle School, will take over as principal of Franklin; current Principal Craig Harlow took a job at the Salem-Keizer School District. Wright has two decades of experience teaching and coaching, and has degrees from Willamette University and University of Oregon.
Dennis Foster Jr. will be taking on the role as assistant principal, formerly held by Jon Strowbridge, who is now the interim principal at Cheldelin Middle School. Foster has worked in education for 15 years, and has degrees from California State University at Fullerton and Pacific University.
Linus Pauling’s New World Language Curriculum: The Corvallis School Board approved a popular pilot program at its June 16 meeting that will update its current 10-year-old curriculum.
After testing EntreCulturas at Linus Pauling during the 2021/22 school year, teachers said they wanted to continue using a program that helped teach students the importance of bilingualism – so the school board decided to adopt it.
In the fall, the program will expand up to 12th grade, and collaboration and professional development will occur among middle-school and high-school teachers.
This Week’s Question: What are the best free, or cheap, things to do in Corvallis with a family?
By Peggy Perdue
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