Parks and recreation district hires new youth coordinator

Kira Robinson is bringing her passion for working with children into her new position as youth coordinator for Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2).

“They’re energetic and being around them gives you that energy,” she said of the children. “They always say something funny and it’s always interesting.”

A Cheney native, Robinson grew up in Arizona and recently moved to Ferndale. She has babysat and watched children at camps. When she’s not working, Robinson said she enjoys riding her horse, Frankie.

In her position, Robinson helps pick up K-12 students from school and watch them at the Birch Bay Activity Center gym. Six to 12 students typically attend the program, but numbers can be as high as 30, Robinson said. 

BBBPRD2 employees are also working with Friends of Birch Bay State Park and the Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum to secure a state grant to bring back summer camps that paused during the pandemic. If funded, four four-day camps would educate local youth about the beach, nature and sustainability while enjoying the outdoors.

The district will also have its mobile camps this summer, which will bring activities and water games at Blaine and Birch Bay parks every Friday for six weeks. 

Since starting at the beginning of January, Robinson enjoys the bus rides the most because of the fun conversations with the children. Robinson said she hopes to incorporate more crafts and science projects into the afterschool program.

“I’ve felt super welcomed into the position,” Robinson said. “I’ve had a lot of help and encouragement.”