Camping out under the stars

The 17th Annual Fathers & Flashlights event, hosted by Friends of West University Parks, was held on the fields surrounding West University Elementary School. Caroline, Jonathan, Grant, and Natalie Reagan (pictured, from left) gathered with more than 500 other children and 250 parents for an urban campout with record-breaking attendance. 2023 Fathers & Flashlights co-chairs Kelly Beth Hapgood, Megan Nicodemus, and Katy Turner, along with more than 240 parent volunteers, worked to put on the cherished neighborhood event that raised $182,000 for West U parks. After a cold, rainy start to the week, the clouds parted for perfect weather for pitching tents and activities including crafts, rides, exotic animal visits, face painting, catch-and-release fishing, a t-shirt tie dye station, inflatables, snow cones, dancing to tunes from a DJ, and a magic show. 

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