600 gather for CVUSD ‘Barnyard Bash’ at Park
By Heather Milo
Acorn Staff Writer

LISA ADAMS/T.O.A. FUN IN THE SUN-Flappy the Clown, left, makes a balloon hat Haley Cohen during the recent event at Conejo Creek Park.

If the noise level was any indication, the name "Barnyard Bash 2003" was right on target. Children from all 20 Conejo Valley Unified School District childcare centers recently gathered to enjoy games, food and friendship during an eighth annual event at Conejo Creek Park.

Coordinators Kristy Bernstein and Angie Williamson began making plans right after Christmas, though final details were finished only days before the event took place. CVUSD childcare coordinators try to offer a unique theme each year. Last year’s was "Kids Unite."

Along with standard barbecue fare such as hot dogs and hamburgers, servers dished out corn on the cob, cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones. Entertainment included a clown with a bag of long balloons, face painting and games such as frog and potato sack races. A rock-climbing wall, slides and other group activities where on hand.

Each of the 20 childcare centers is based on a campus of one of the district’s elementary schools. The food is always a big hit with the kids. Bethanie Wong, 11, remembered the cotton candy from last year.

Kyle Clemens and Lance Williams, both 11, eagerly eyed the Jolly Jumps from their place in the food line. "You bounce around a lot," said Williams. Clemens agreed with his classmate, saying every year the event was "pretty fun."

CVUSD childcare employee Lynda Rice has been with the childcare program for eight years, and is a regular at the annual event. "We’ve gotten larger, there’s a lot more staff and a lot more togetherness," she said. She said she’s watched a number of the kids grow up, children who were in kindergarten when she first began working with CVUSD are now in middle school. Rice said that as they got older, a number of students have returned to help with the event.

According to Rice, the annual event is one of a few times when the kids get the chance to gather. "They look forward to this," she said. Her own group is a big fan of snow cones. "We’ll have 30 kids in line (for them) all day long."