By Alec Stutson and Sarah Bohannon, North State Public Radio
Five years ago this week, the Camp fire burned the town of Paradise and surrounding communities.
It was followed quickly by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted students’ school and social schedules, leaving them with few options to connect with others outside of the internet. Educators across the nation say students still aren’t fully back in the groove.
“We’re obviously seeing even more of this apathy,” said Carrie Dawes, principal of Ridgeview High School in Magalia. “More of ‘I don’t have to go to school every day.’ This is an ongoing issue within academics. We’re trying to get them more engaged. Trying to get them into more extracurricular activities.”
Many former youth hotspots like the bowling alley and movie theater burned in the fire. But recently, community organizations have opened programs for youth in the area.
The Boys & Girls Club Paradise Teen Center sits in an unassuming building on the edge of downtown. It began services in the area in June, with a grand opening scheduled for Nov. 9.
The center features a large lounge with pool tables and video game consoles, as well as a music studio and a maker space that includes a 3D printer and a laser engraver.
“Kids just come to have fun or have a safe space,” said Rashell Brobst, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley. “Then they get more and more involved and engaged, and then take on more leadership roles. And then they become our key leaders.”
The teen center also provides meals and offers scholarships to cover membership fees for low-income families.
Another social outlet for youth in the region are sports.
“Sports are really big in this town, because there's not a lot to do,” joked Paradise High School freshman Chase Voigt. “So we dedicate a lot of our free time to ‘Let's go play basketball! Let's go play football! Let's go to the field! Let's go work out!’”
Local youth coach John Bunch said playing sports does more for youth than just giving them a reason to exercise.
“If you learn to deal with the emotional aspects and the social aspects of dealing with teammates and coaches and people that you might not necessarily get along with on a daily basis — if you can work with them, you can get through your emotions,” he said. “And you're gonna be so much further along.”
Youth in the area have grown closer in the years since the fire, and support each other as recovery continues.
“Before the fire, nobody really said ‘I love you’ to each other,” said Paradise High School freshman Brooke Gordon. “But now I say that to my friends all the time. Anytime I hang up the phone, anytime they leave, it’s ‘I love you!’ Because I do.”
Gordon plays volleyball and softball, and likes to ski outside of school. She says she’s looking forward to seeing the community rebuild, and youth continue to heal.
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