Time to enjoy Popsicles, sunny days, picnics, pool time and summer camp, of course. Every year around this time I think about my summer memories and how thankful I am to my parents for signing me up. Summer camp led me to my career today in recreation and program coordinating.

I still love to reminiscence about it: the laughing, playing, singing and sharing camp stories. Each year we create new memories that motivate us to make each summer even more special than the previous.

My summer camp stomping grounds were in the beautiful city of Sanger. I went to a day camp called “Summer Fun” from 1987 to 1993. One of my fondest camp memories was the Mock Rock. I had this totally rad checkered blouse with huge shoulder pads and gold buttons down the front. My two best friends were my back-up dancers. Fake microphone in hand, back-up dancers doing cartwheels and handstands around me, I belted out what I thought was a beautiful rendition of “Where’s The Party” by Madonna.

I got the most high-fives that day, so many compliments on my blouse and a new friend who also loved Madonna.

Whether it’s a week long or a month long, summer camp helps young people grow in many ways. It exposes them to a variety of new experiences, people and opportunities.

I remember a little boy named Liam who came in to the city of Davis Community Services Office to register for Rainbow Summer camp in July 2011. Liam counted out $72 in bills and change to pay for it; he sold lemonade and cookies to earn the money all on his own. His mom says he loved camp and wanted to do his part to attend.

I also remember a camp volunteer who donated his bike to another camper after his had been stolen. These are the good people of our community, making their impact known, and it started with a summer camp.

Maybe for you, it was 4-H camp or a YMCA program. Either way, we could bet a Yoo-Hoo that you can recall specific details of those experiences and the lasting impact it made in your life.

Summer and its extra hours of sunlight are the hallmarks of childhood — a time for growth and establishing independence, stepping out of the comfort zone of home and making new friends.

The city of Davis offers a wide selection of experiences to achieve these important milestones, from Rainbow Summer with its classic day camp combination of activities to Camp Putah with its overnighter to Voyagers, which offers the exploration of Davis via a bike.

Or how about a new theater camp, with the opportunity to be in the spotlight, literally, in a way that is different from the family room productions?

The Community Services Summer Recreation Schedule has more than 70 pages of ways to make a memory, learn a skill or have a laugh for little tots all the way up to the young at heart. To learn more about what lies ahead this summer, visit us at http://www.cityofdavis.org.

— Celeste Torres is a community services coordinator with the city of Davis.

AB 518, co-authored by Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, D-Davis, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, and Bob Blumenfield, D-San Fernando Valley, who chairs the Assembly Budget Committee, has now moved to the Senate.

The CBAS program, which replaced California’s Adult Day Health Care program, offers seniors and people with disabilities a cost-effective alternative to nursing homes by providing medical and support services in community-based day settings.

“With a rapidly aging population, and California’s most turbulent budget decisions behind us, it is time to start rebuilding a network of home and community-based options for the elderly and persons with disabilities,” Yamada said. “CBAS is both cost-effective and compassionate.”

CBAS was established to settle a lawsuit brought against the state on behalf of disabled individuals whose independence was jeopardized by the elimination of California’s long-standing Adult Day Health Care program. The settlement agreement expires in June 2014, leaving the future of the program uncertain.

“Thousands of patients and their families don’t know what their future holds when the settlement period expires,” said Blumenfield, author of legislation vetoed in 2011 that closely resembles the CBAS program. “Uncertainty is a nightmare that these families have endured over many years about access to vital care for their loved ones. This bill helps end that.”

The Legislature agreed to eliminate the Adult Day Health Care program during the height of the state’s budget crisis in 2011 based on an understanding that a similar, though smaller program would replace it. Lawmakers were “blindsided,” Yamada said, when that alternate program was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, leaving seniors and people with disabilities stranded without an affordable alternative to institutionalization.

“Making CBAS permanent fulfills the intent of those legislators, including me, who voted to eliminate ADHC, with the commitment to fight for community-based programs,” Yamada said in a news release. “A community-based alternative to institutionalization saves money and preserves independence.”

Yolo County’s free, family-friendly Juneteenth celebration will feature food, entertainment and educational exhibits — including a hat show — from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St. The multicultural ceremony and event are co-sponsored by the Friends of the Davis Public Library, the city of Davis and the Culture Co-op.

Additional activities will take place at the library, 315 E. 14th St.

Event coordinators Jay Johnstone and Sandy Holman expect a capacity crowd based on the turnout for the 2011 program at the library. In preparation, they are reaching out to WE People, Blacks for Effective Community Action, AllStar Action Team and the African American Committee to participate again this year.

Tax-deductible donations for the celebration may be mailed to Friends of the Davis Public Library, P.O. Box 91, Davis, CA 95627-0091 or made online by visiting www.davislibraryfriends.org and choosing the Juneteenth donation button.

“We want to hear from you,” writes director Zoë Plakais. “What have you always wanted for the Co-op? No idea is too big or wacky, so be creative and have fun!”

The event can be found online via the Davis Food Co-op’s Facebook page. For more information, email jcross@davisfood.coop or “like” the Co-op on Facebook.