On the beach

Suzie Harrison

Four-hundred kids laughing, playing and enjoying themselves with

myriad of activities in a 24-hour period on the sands of the

beautiful Huntington Beach State Park.

It was the fifth annual Beach Play Day sponsored by the California

State Parks, California Activities League and the State Parks Police

Activities League.

The program is about fun but also aims to establish positive

relationships between youth and peace officers through various

recreational and educational programs.

“The program provides different recreational activities like this

and after-school activities with the cops,” said Michaele Deboer, the

supervising ranger for California State Parks and the coordinator for

the event. “It gives them alternatives to crime and drugs. Any kid

with free time on their hands is prone to trouble.”

Children came from all over the state -- El Rio, Monterrey County,

Hemet, Blythe -- the list goes on.

The activities set up were diverse and engaging, allowing them to

utilize various skills and levels of athletic proclivity and mental

acuity.

“I loved the swimming, boogie boarding and looking at different

sorts of fish,” said Hana Skersick, who came all the way from Blythe,

which she explained is right by the Arizona boarder.

There was a mobile tide pool for children to study and instruction

offered by the nature center about how pollution effects the

environment and the damage it does.

There was also a rock-climbing wall to help build confidence and a

live science exhibit featuring different animals, including reptiles

and birds.

Spending the night on the beach in tents was a real thrill for a

lot of them.

“It was fun, like going in the water, learning cool things. I also

liked sleeping in tents, playing games and meeting other kids,” said

Amanda Wells, 10, from Palm Springs.

Driving all-terrain vehicles through a maze-like course, doing

relay races and seeing a live rescue simulation complete with boats

and a helicopter were some of the things the youth enjoyed about the

program.

“I liked swimming, looking at the fish and starfish,” said Karen

Pettit, 13, from Blythe.

Daryl Skerskek was one of the parents who chaperoned. He’s from

Blythe and an avid fan of the program.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for kids to come and experience the

beach and meet other people from different PAL groups,” he said.

Skerskek appreciates what the program does for less advantaged

children.

“It gives the less fortunate kids the opportunity to do things

because the program is paid for,” he explained.

In the evening, they set up a dance area and stage with a DJ.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter with Times Community News. She may

be reached at (949)494-4231 or by e-mail at

[email protected].