FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 1, 2021

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO - Mayor Todd Gloria, County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher, the San Diego Parks Foundation, and a host of partner organizations are inviting San Diego families to Come Play Outside this summer. Come Play Outside, is part of San Diego Mayor Gloria's "Summer for All of Us" initiative announced in May, which creates exciting opportunities for kids and their families to engage in fun, healthy recreation in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Anticipated to serve more than 15,000 kids this summer,Come Play Outside organizes and funds programs such as aquatics, an adventure camp, Teen Nite, and movies in the park in21recreation centers and aquatic centers across San Diego's South and Central neighborhoods.

As challenging as the pandemic was for adults, we know it was just as challenging for our kids. Thats why its particularly important we step up to engage our youth as we emerge from the pandemic, said Mayor Todd Gloria. Come Play Outside will help ease our kids back into everyday life and ensure they have opportunities to enjoy a fun, safe, and connected summer in Americas Finest City.

The County of San Diego provided $750,000 in funding from its Behavioral Health Department to support Come Play Outside programming. San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher was instrumental in securing these funds. Supporting Come Play Outside aligns with Chair Fletchers commitment to improving the lives of youth and families, especially after dealing with the uncertainties and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its well-known the importance of children being active to maintain their overall health and well-being, both mentally and physically, said Chair Fletcher. Were so pleased to be able to come together and allocate funding alongside our partners and give the youth in our underserved communities a host of opportunities to thrive and learn this summer; ones that they might not have otherwise.

The San Diego Parks Foundation is proud to partner with Mayor Gloria, Board of Supervisor Chair Fletcher, the City and County of San Diego on Come Play Outside. With COVID restrictions lifting, we know how important it is for our mental health to get outside, said Michel Anderson, Chair of the San Diego Parks Foundation. Come Play Outside is an unprecedented collaboration that provides thousands of local youth and families the opportunity to participate in summer activities such as swimming lessons, outdoor adventure camp, science camp, gymnastics, dance classes, sports camps, and other enriching recreational opportunities. This welcomed investment is critical to supporting San Diegos recovery from the pandemic.

Come Play Outside programs include:

• Outdoor Adventures Nature Camp
• Friday Teen Nites
• Aquatics - Learn to Swim
• Aquatics - Jr. Pool Guard Program
• Arts, STEM and STEAM Youth Programs such as Mad Science Camp and Theater Arts Camp
• Youth Sports Clinics such as Tennis Camp, Basketball Skills, and Cheer Fitness

Family-Friendly Free Summer Events

• Fern Street Circus Neighborhood Park Tour
• Movies in the Park

For more information, visit comeplaysd.com.

Come Play Outside is made possible by the County of San Diego Behavioral Health Department, Albertsons Foundation, Hervey Family Fund at The San Diego Foundation, Price Philanthropies Foundation, Walmart Foundation, and Walter J. and Betty C. Zable Foundation for the benefit of the City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department.

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