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Kent district confirms one‑day fifth‑grade camp for all schools, budgets $338,000 and seeks community fundraising for more
Summary
District staff told the board that Kent School District has a signed contract with Camp Waskowitz and budgeted $338,000 to fund a one‑day extended camp for all 29 elementary schools; staff will survey families and pursue districtwide fundraising via the Kent Schools Foundation to support multi‑day camps in future years.
District officials confirmed during a newly added agenda discussion that fifth‑grade camp will occur this year for all 29 elementary schools and that the district has budgeted funds and signed a vendor contract.
Dr. Behringer (district staff) told trustees the district has signed a contract with Camp Waskowitz and budgeted $338,000 to cover a single extended‑day camp experience for the 2025–26 year. “Yes, we are doing fifth grade camp this year, all 29 schools… We have signed a contract with Camp Waskowitz,” Dr. Behringer said, and added that the district has set aside $338,000 in its budget to cover a one‑day experience.
He said the state had previously provided $800,000 toward camp and that district leaders want to preserve equitable access across schools. To sustain or expand camp offerings, the district plans a districtwide fundraising effort through the Kent Schools Foundation rather than leave individual schools to raise funds independently; staff will also survey principals, fifth‑grade teachers and families (with translated surveys) and report back to the board with results (estimated mid‑October).
Trustees emphasized equity, asking whether fundraising would create unequal access and whether all students (including students with IEPs or other needs) could be accommodated. Dr. Behringer said staff will prioritize removing barriers so every student can participate and will analyze survey responses to identify culturally responsive alternatives if overnight stays deter some families.
Why it matters: Camp and outdoor education are high‑visibility, high‑impact programs for elementary students that involve logistics, budget tradeoffs and equity concerns. The district committed to at least one funded day while seeking community support to preserve or expand the program.
What’s next: Staff will complete and translate family/staff surveys, tabulate responses and return to the board in October with recommendations and cost estimates for expanded multi‑day options.
