On June 18-19, Milpitas’ Recreation and Community Services department hosted its first ever Campout at Higuera Adobe Park.
Families started arriving late Saturday afternoon to start pitching their tents over the park’s open grassy area. Until nighttime, Higuera Adobe was buzzing with activity – games, crafts, camp stories, songs, and even a bonfire.
One parent, Divya Bheda, came out with her husband, and their two children – a 9-month-old and a 5-year-old.
“This was such a nice time for everyone to get off their technology and electronics, and just be in community with one another,” said Bheda. “I’m hoping they do it again.”
Firefighters from the Milpitas Fire Department provided an engine and helped with the bonfire at the park. Members from Milpitas Firefighters Local 1699 also purchased and delivered breakfast to everyone on Sunday morning.
To ensure that all the campers were safe, the Milpitas Police Department did walk-through patrols of the park area throughout the night. The Milpitas Police Officers Association also cooked and provided dinner for the campers.
Scouts from both Milpitas’ girl and boy troops also came out to help facilitate the event, and support families in setting up their tents.
David Lo, Council Vice President of Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, was present with his 11-year-old son, who is a scout.
“It was a great experience,” said Lo. “Our scouts had a great time interacting with the community. We loved it.”
Councilmember Karina Dominguez paid a couple of visits to the Campout and felt heartened to see residents come together, especially after being apart for so long during the pandemic.
“This event was really spearheaded by the community and their needs,” said Councilmember Dominguez. “We just took the research and made sure we implemented the placemaking strategies that I believe in; that turn and activate spaces in non-traditional ways to unite our community.”
Dominguez also spoke of how families were also offered financial assistance if they weren’t able to afford the $25 per person event fee.
When asked who they wanted to thank for partnering with them to make the event a success, a representative from the Milpitas Recreation and Community Services expressed gratitude for “the Milpitas Police Officers’ Association, Milpitas Firefighters Local 1699, BSA Troop 163, Milpitas Historical Society, Environmental Volunteers, Bass Pro Shop, and all the families who participated in the inaugural Family Campout.”
I would like to point out that BSA Troop 2163 was also at the event helping out.