State and local parks staff brings the outdoors and the fun to you

With parks closed, the people who keep them going are now bringing the fun right into your home.

The Washington State Parks Foundation’s Great Washington Camp-In, happening Friday, offers a camping experience — with stories, songs and even a recipe for s’mores hot cocoa — that you can enjoy in your living room or backyard.

And South Sound parks and recreation departments are finding creative ways to keep the fun, fitness and learning going, including online magic lessons from Olympia magician Jeff Evans, fitness classes and videos, and do-it-yourself projects such as making a backyard obstacle course.

“As we’re all at home with our families longer, it is going to be vital to stay connected and active,” Marisa Worden of the Tumwater Parks & Recreation Department told The Olympian. “I know I’m finding that to be true, working from home with a 4-year-old.”

The camp-in will happen both virtually — via a live-streamed YouTube video — and at homes all over the state. The parks foundation suggests setting up your own camping spot indoors or out where you can hear rangers tell stories, listen to music and learn camp-friendly recipes from Seattle celebrity chef Kathy Casey.

“We are happy to be able to foster connection between people who love state parks during this time of social distancing,” foundation director John Floberg said on the foundation’s website. “After participating in this evening, you’ll have lots of new ideas when state parks reopen.”

To encourage creative campers, the foundation will award a prize to the person with the best house-camping setup.

Evans’ class, offered through Tumwater Parks & Recreation, also kicks off Friday, though he offered a free preview last week.

Performing magic online is a challenge, he told The Olympian. “Much of the fun of live entertainment is lost when you perform it for a webcam,” he said. “However, I’ve found that some magic works wonderfully online. I’ve done a few virtual magic shows and have two birthday parties this coming week.”

He’ll perform as well as teach tricks in the class, which also includes a copy of his DVD, “Magic Tricks and Secrets.”

He described one trick: “Take a length of string or yarn, and have a friend” — or, in current circumstances, a family member or housemate — “cut it about in half. The two ends are placed in their hands and magically fuse-weld back into one piece while held by the spectator. And everything can be examined at the end.”

Besides online classes, local parks departments are pulling together lots of resources and ideas for having fun in your own backyard.

You might not be able to go on vacation right now, but you can invite bugs to do so by building your own bug hotel with directions from the Olympia Department of Parks, Arts & Recreation. Or encourage a visit from butterflies with a butterfly feeder.

Instead of going to the gym, build your own backyard obstacle course.

Tad Earley, who supervises Olympia’s recreation program, suggested the obstacle course, adapted from a favorite summer activity he did with his children when they were young.

“All of us would take turns coming up with these different challenges for each other to do and time them,” he told The Olympian. “It would keep us entertained for a couple of hours at a time.”

In Lacey, meanwhile, the Parks and Recreation Department just launched a series of “Iso-PLAY-tion” videos, demonstrating everything from tag to art.

Great Washington Camp-In

• What: The Washington State Parks Foundation is bringing the camp-out experience home with stories, songs and s’mores hot cocoa.
• When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 17
• Cost: Free
• Participate: http://waparks.org/greatwacamp-in/

Magic Tricks and Secrets Live with Jeff Evans

• What: Well-known local magician Jeff Evans will perform online tricks and share some of his secrets in this class, recommended for ages 7 and up.
• When: 7-8 p.m. Fridays, April 17-May 1, with a second session happening May 15-29
• Cost: $60 per family; registration required at least 5 minutes before class begin
• Register: http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/departments/parks-recreation/online-recreation

More ways to play and learn

Local parks and recreation departments are putting together classes, videos, instructions for activities and lists of resources for people of all ages.

• Olympia: http://olympiawa.gov/city-services/parks/recreation/virtual-programs.aspx
• Lacey: http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/playathome
• Tumwater: http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/departments/parks-recreation/online-recreation

This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 5:45 AM.