Summer youth programs served hundreds; city reviews sponsorship RFPs for naming rights and events

Recreation Supervisor Cody Lee summarized the summer youth and teen programs, saying the department ran traditional day camps at Lakes and Lydia Hawk elementary sites, free "playground pals" programs in partnership with North Thurston School District summer food service, specialty STEM and art camps, a teen camp that took daily field trips, and a bike-safety week in partnership with Intercity Transit.

Cody said the day-camp sites averaged about 42 campers per site, playground pals averaged about 45, and the department served roughly 195 children per week across an eight-week season. He credited seasonal staffing (about 40 part-time summer positions) for program delivery. He told the board the Intercity Transit bike program enrolled 15 teens per week for the week-long biking program and provided helmets and some bikes through a grant; the helmets and bikes were supplied by Intercity Transit and its grant partners.

Recreation Manager Sue Falesh reported aquatics staff taught 691 individual lessons over the summer, and the July 3 event drew an estimated 40,000 people to the park. She said staff are reviewing an RFP for naming rights and sponsorship (two proposals received: High Level Promotions and Superlative Group) and will interview finalists; the vendor would pursue large-ticket sponsorships and would operate under city criteria that screen potential sponsors to align with city values. An RFP for fireworks was also completed and vendors interviewed.

Ending: Staff said some programs will be adjusted next summer due to staffing transitions, and the naming-rights procurement will return for decision after interviews and staff review.