EVERETT — Fifth-grade science exploration camp is a long-standing tradition at Garfield Elementary School.
Scrambling to raise money to pay for it is another.
Every year, teachers and parents put their heads together and figure out how to raise about $5,000 needed to bring the camp’s cost down to $10 to $20 for each fifth-grader.
They’ve done candy drives, penny drives, rummages sales, car washes.
This year, they decided to hold a scrap metal fundraiser, said Cheryl Hendrickson, a special education para-educator.
It was her idea. When it comes to fundraising, Hendrickson knows what to do. After her son was diagnosed with a rare genetic illness, she started and led a foundation to support other families in the same boat. (Her son is doing great, by the way.)
The teachers hope collecting scrap metal will teach kids the value of giving items a second life and caring for the environment.
“They’ll learn that we can recycle,” Hendrickson said. “And that, instead of letting your old barbecue rot in the back yard, you can get rid of it in a great way.”
The camp, which takes place in May, is a rite of passage for fifth-graders.
Hendrickson remembers how, when her kids went to Garfield, some children called in sick because they couldn’t afford to go to camp.
Teachers hope no kid will have to do that this year. It’s looking good so far: They are getting a good response from parents and from the community. They found a metal recycling company that offered to bring a container, sort the metal and, at the end of the day, write a check.
“The whole school is looking forward to this,” teacher Stephanie van Driel said.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
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