KCFM’s Annual Summer Camp & School Expo Returns: The Longest Running Camp Event in Kern County

We’re proud to feature Kern Family Health Care as our Presenting Sponsor and Motor City Buick GMC as a valued sponsor—both joining us on-site as exhibitors at this year’s Annual Summer Camp & School Expo. Join us Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westside Church of Christ Gymnasium. This FREE, family‑friendly event invites families to explore summer opportunities for kids of all ages, abilities, and interests. Visit exhibitors including Purdy Pediatric Dentistry, Sylvan Learning Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County, Engineering for Kids Kern County, Garces Memorial High School, Libben Horsemanship Academy, and many more to discover local day camps, overnight programs, sports, arts, and STEM activities.

For booth information, call Lisa at 661‑861‑4939. For event details, visit https://www.kerncountyfamily.com/PublicArticle/4523/KCFMs-2026-Summer-Camp--School-Expo-April-11-2026.

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New Playground Fence Installed at Wilson Park

The City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department, with Alongside Autism, has installed a new playground fence at Wilson Park, 2300 Wilson Road, Bakersfield to create a safer space for children to play.

Keith Howell, Assistant Director for City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department, says this playground fence at Wilson Park is a safety measure for many families, especially those raising children with autism who are at higher risk of elopement. “The goal is literally to give the parents more control of their environment with their kids,” he says.

Howell says Fran Medrano of Alongside Autism, an organization that supports families who have children with autism, approached the City of Bakersfield about creating safer play spaces and providing greater peace of mind for their caretakers. Wilson Park was chosen as the pilot project because of its size, central location, and proximity to parking. The department plans to monitor the project’s success and maintain open communication with the community, with hopes of expanding similar improvements to other parks in the future.

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Kern Community Foundation Administers $50,000 in Waterman Foundation Grants for Local Nonprofits

The Waterman Foundation, in partnership with Kern Community Foundation, is now accepting applications for its 2026 - 2027 Capital Grant Program. The Waterman Foundation will award approximately $50,000 to local nonprofits for capital projects, including building improvements, equipment purchases, and facility upgrades.  The application must be sponsored by a member of Bakersfield Downtown Rotary Club with a deadline of May 1, 2026.

The Waterman Foundation, established in 1984 by the Bakersfield Downtown Rotary Club, provides scholarships for local students and grants for capital projects benefiting the community. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees, made up of Downtown Bakersfield Rotary Club members, oversees the grant program.

To apply, please visit www.kernfoundation.org/grants.  For questions, please email  fatima@kernfoundation.org or call 661-325-5346.

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Transportation Development Act Awards $44,000 Grant to Kern County Public Works for New Bicycle Facilities in County Parks

The California Department of Transportation’s Transportation Development Act (TDA) awarded a $44,000 grant to support the construction of new bicycle facilities within Kern County parks, which will strengthen its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program.

PHOTO COURTESY KERN COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS

In collaboration with the Kern Council of Governments (KernCOG), the project includes the installation of five public benches with integrated parking, as well as three bicycle repair stations. These amenities were strategically placed at key access points within County parks at the beginning and end of Kern River Parkway Trail to enhance accessibility and convenience for trail users.

The new bicycle facilities are now open at Lake Ming, Hart Memorial Park, and Lake Buena Vista. Additional locations to be added as the program continues to grow. For more information, please visit www.KernPublicWorks.com.

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County Recruiting Intern Sites to Support Youth Summer Jobs Program

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County invites businesses and nonprofit organizations to mentor local teens through supervised summer internships. There are 300 local teens, ages 15 to 18, participating in the Summer Jobs Program’s workforce readiness training component (Career Launch) from February through May at several Club and school-based sites. The Career Launch curriculum includes job-readiness and career-preparation program and offers a variety of activities to hone teens’ decision-making, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. This comprehensive program introduces young people to the world of work and equips them with tools to prepare for a future career.

PHOTO COURTESY BGCKC

Following their training, the high school teens will be interviewed, and the top 50 will be selected as Summer Interns. The interns will assist local employers with daily tasks, learn the basics of an entry-level job, and gain work experience. Employers are currently being recruited to provide interns with mentorship and hands-on experience in various occupations.

For more information about the BGCKC Workforce Readiness Program, please contact Monica Gonzalez at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County at 661-325-3730 ext. 245 or visit summerjobsprogram@bgckc.org.

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CSUB Hosts Annual Engineering Day

California State University, Bakersfield’s (CSUB) College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering (NSME) welcomed 460 high school students and asked them to transform their future as part of its annual Engineering Day. Students learned more about engineering as a whole and CSUB’s engineering careers from CSUB alumni and met with representatives from local employers in the industry.

PHOTO COURTESY CSUB

Coinciding with National Engineers Week, NSME Dean Dr. Jane Dong spoke about this year’s theme, “Transform Your Future,” where she told students they transform everyone’s future with the new innovations and technology, while transforming their own futures with the decision to pursue a degree in engineering, electrical engineering, or computer engineering at CSUB. 

Dr. Dong shared with the students that due to the demand from prospective students, NSME continues to grow and is in the process of creating a mechanical engineering degree. Another exciting development is the college’s new Energy Innovation Building, which will be ready for future students in two years.

For more information, please visit www.news.csub.edu.