
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is establishing care camps designed to assist families under mandatory evacuations, displaced due to the fires, or directly affected by the wildfires. The initiative, launching Monday, January 13, will create a supportive space where children age 5-12 can learn, play, and thrive while parents focus on recovery efforts.
“The events from this week have been tragic and traumatic experiences for all of our communities, but especially for residents displaced by the wildfires that have swept through many parts of our County. We want to support the emotional and physical well-being of children and families during these challenging times. LA County Parks is partnering with the Dodgers Foundation, the Natural History Museum, the La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles County Arboretum, LA Philharmonic and Altadena Libraries, to provide field trips, activities, and nutrition at no cost to families. It takes a community to rebuild, and we are determined to do our part,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
The program will operate at four locations: Pamela Park in Duarte, offering Pamela Park Care Camp for youth and Pamela Park Teen Camp; Arcadia Park, providing Pamela Care Camp for youth and Pamela Teen Camp; Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park in La Crescenta, hosting Crescenta Valley Park Care Camp; and Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia, featuring Arboretum Care Camp. Two locations will include teen centers open to youth ages 13-17, with extended hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering age-appropriate activities and a safe space for older youth to connect, engage, and receive support during this challenging time.
“Los Angeles County Parks is part of the fabric of the Altadena and Greater Altadena community. Los Angeles County Parks staff want to make sure that our youth and families know they are not alone. We are here to support the community in this time of need with Care Camps,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of Los Angeles County Parks.
The camps maintain a 1:5 staff-to-participant ratio to ensure personalized attention. Each child receives two snacks (morning/afternoon) and a lunch, while teens also receive a supper in the evening. Activities include music, arts and crafts, sports, and field trips to the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, Dodger Stadium, and more.
Parent lounges at each location offer flexible accommodation for families, where parents are invited to drop in for some time or stay for the entire duration of the camp, providing a welcoming environment for the whole family. The camps will run through Friday, January 31, 2025, operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for youth ages 5-12, with teen programs extending to 7 p.m.
The initiative leverages Los Angeles County Parks’ extensive resources, which include management of 182 parks, 41 public swimming pools, 23 splash pads, 14 lakes, more than 240 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, four botanical centers (The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens), and cultural venues including the Hollywood Bowl and John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.
Complete location details:
- Pamela Park, 2236 Goodall Avenue, Duarte, CA 91010
- Arcadia Park, 405 South Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007
- Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park, 3901 Dunsmore Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214
- Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
For registration information, visit https://parks.lacounty.