During the week after school gets out, many streets in Palo Alto are eerily quiet, but not Iris Way. Turn down this winding street near Duveneck Elementary and you’ll find 70 kids of all ages playing together, cranking pop tunes, blowing bubbles and turning hula hoops. This burst of neighborhood activity is called Camp Iris Way, which finished its sixth summer on June 11th.
Started by neighbors looking to build a “Playborhood”
photo by Sharon Wong
who doesn’t love oobleck? (photo by Palo Alto Pulse)
Camp Iris Way was conceived by Jennifer Antonow and Diana Nemet, neighbors who wanted to create a Playborhood, a space that encourages kids to roam free, initiate their own play and forge lasting relationships.
They came up with the idea of a week-long day camp where older kids would be the counselors, and invited local teens to a planning meeting. “I was terrified to talk to teenagers,” remembers Jennifer, who at the time had two very small children, “But the kids were incredibly excited about the camp and jumped in right away.”
Old fashioned fun planned by and for kids
“While we brought a list of possible camp activities, the teens came up with the best ideas on their own,” Diana said. “It was fabulous to see their creativity as they planned each day of the camp and took charge of bringing it together.”
And what did these Silicon Valley, connected teens choose for their own camp? Forget high tech- they opted for old-fashioned play: chalk drawing, four square, scavenger hunts, line dancing and duck duck goose, with plenty of open time to goof around.
Unstructured and ‘free range’
chalk drawing is a favorite for campers and counselors of all ages (photo by Palo Alto Pulse)
The camp’s unstructured and multi-age approach is what kids love most about it. “It’s cool how anyone can participate and the kids have so much free time,” said Ben, an 11 year old Camp Iris Way camper. “Older counselors play with the younger kids and everyone of all ages just hangs out together.”
Echoed Sophie, a rising fifth grader at Duveneck, “Other camps are scheduled, but here you get to do what you want, play games and see your friends.”
The camp takes place in the street near a different ‘host’ family each day, which provides a fridge to store snacks as well as bathrooms and other logistical support as needed. Operated as a nonprofit, Camp Iris Way costs $110 for campers, and the high school and middle school counselors receive $150 each for their time. Beyond paying the counselors, camp fees are used to buy snacks, craft supplies and t-shirts. The camp has also received funding from the City of Palo Alto’s Caring Neighborhoods initiative, and works with the City to get necessary permits for street closures.
Tira, a 2015 Paly grad who was part of the founding group of Camp Iris Way counselors, appreciates how the camp has influenced neighborhood connections over the years. “The camp has grown into a defining characteristic of our street and it’s brought us closer together,” she said. “I recognize everyone on our block, kids knock on each others’ doors to play,
Camp Iris Way counsellors used to be campers
(photo by Palo Alto Pulse)
and people say hi.”
Parents and volunteers keep the camp going
Parents in the Iris Way neighborhood are grateful for the hard work it takes to put the camp together every year. “Diana and Jennifer’s detailed planning efforts, calm leadership and attention to each child’s needs are what makes this neighborhood camp and community so special,” said Sharon Wong, who helped to organize the annual block party that is held on the last evening of camp each year. “My daughter started as a camper six years ago and she is now a counselor- it’s fantastic to see her leadership skills blossom.”
Camp Iris way features crafts and active games (photo by Palo Alto Pulse)
The camp relies on a host of neighborhood volunteers who store supplies and provide key skills, such as the camp lawyer who drafted the liability form and the camp CFO, who manages the accounting. “A few years ago, we were on the verge of burnout,” remembers Jennifer. “We put a note out asking for support and over 20 parents showed up offering to help.”
The camp forges strong neighborhood ties for adults and kids
happy kids at Camp Iris Way (photo by Palo Alto Pulse)
Camp Iris Way has spawned a host of neighborhood activities, including a men’s poker group, a women’s book club and an informal outdoor exercise class. Last summer, one neighbor picked all the leftover fruit growing on front yard trees, cooked up a batch of “Iris Way Jam” and sold it as a fundraiser for the camp.
And in case you want to know how all this hubbub affects homeowners, Jen and Diana found out recently that realtors often taut Camp Iris Way when showing houses for sale on the street. (Maybe they should ask for a cut of the commission?)
Inspiring other Palo Altans to create neighborhood traditions
Jen hopes the enduring success of Camp Iris Way and its ‘free range’ approach to play will inspire other Palo Alto residents. “Anyone could do this,” she said. “It could be something casual on a Saturday morning that grows into an annual neighborhood tradition.”
“It’s just magical to see the kids of all ages out playing together,” said Diana. “With all the fabulous camps in our area, it’s amazing that Camp Iris Way is the favorite for so many children here. We had no idea it would have such an impact when we started so many years ago.”
