2,000 Children Join in Day Camp Fun

More than 2,000 San Fernando Valley campers descended on Van Nuys’ Woodley Park for a day of fun Thursday.

The youngsters, ages 5 to 13, ran water relays and obstacle courses and ate pizza at the second annual Woodley Day-Camp Jamboree.

The event was designed to create a sense of community among children attending summer day camps run by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks throughout the Valley.

“The greatest joy of the Day Camp Jamboree is seeing the children smile as they have fun and interact with one another,” said Virginia Corbin-Marinovich, director of the Lake View Terrace Recreation Center.

Two giant inflatable bounce slides and two inflatable obstacle courses seemed to be the most popular activities.

Other offerings included face-painting, arts and crafts and panning for gold. The craft booths had cultural themes, allowing campers to make Mexican “God’s eye” decorations, Zuni Indian shields with feathers and jewelry using Egyptian-style beads.

The event epitomizes the summer day camp experience, Corbin-Marinovich said.

“What kids get out of a camp atmosphere is the chance to experience educational and recreational activities,” she said. “For instance, at my camp in Lake View Terrace, we have a lady come in and teach African dancing.”

The Jamboree was funded by the Department of Recreation and Parks, with the help of several corporate sponsors.

Delegations of as many as 80 children arrived from more than 30 camps throughout the Valley.

At one point, dozens of children at a time crowded onstage to sing along with Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5” and Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”