Bee Busy at Bayview '10

From Aug. 2 until Aug. 13 this year, the Rev. Nina Pickerrell once again ran the summer camp called Bee Busy at Bayview in her yard at Bayview Mission. This year, both weeks of camp took place at Bayview Mission. However, for the first time, the children took two field trips.

On Tuesday of the first week, the kids, as well as their adult and teen helpers, went to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. They were treated to the penguin feeding, a stroll through the butterfly-filled rain forest, and a tour of the vast aquarium. They finished the day off with a view of the albino crocodile.



On the following day, everyone went to the San Francisco Zoo. They watched the grizzly bear feeding, at which the bears fished for their lunch. They also got to see lions frolicking in their den, a variety of birds, primates, and other animals not native to this continent. In the middle of the day, the summer campers were treated to a train ride around the park.



As has been the case year after year, farm animals were brought to Bayview Mission from a farm in Petaluma. On Wednesday of the second week, kids were given horse and pony rides and opportunities to pet and feed rabbits and chickens.



On several days, the Rev. Nina brought our her inflatable shark pool and waterslide. In spite of the cool San Francisco weather, many of the kids put on their suits and eagerly slid into the cold water.



As always, Bee Busy allows kids the opportunities to play games, do arts and crafts, listen to book readings, cook meals from fresh fruit and berries, and participate in the food pantry on Mondays. Again this year, the kids filled over 100 backpacks, both for themselves and for many other local children.



Bee Busy is an exciting opportunity for kids to play, explore, learn, and participate in community in the Bayview!

Roscoe Westbrook Interview

David Cowen interviews Roscoe Westbrook about the food pantry at Bayview Mission.

How did you learn about Bayview Mission


I was walking down the street one day, taking my morning walk, I should say. I was just going through the neighborhood and I saw these lines of people. As I walked down the hill, I saw Nina and all these other people putting stuff in bags. I like to do that kind of work, and I asked them, how can I do it? She said they didn’t need anymore help that day but come back early the next Monday morning. I got here around 7:30 that day and the truck was just getting here. I flowed, and I’ve been here since.


How long ago did you start?

It was the summer of last year. I was working out in front of the garage, bagging stuff up for the people.


What do you find most fulfilling about Bayview Mission?


Hearing the people say “thank you,” they didn’t know anyone in the neighborhood did this for the community. I hear them come up and thank us, and I see them out in the neighborhood at the grocery store: “Oh you’re the guy that works at the food bank!”

I’m 57 years old. My kids are grown. I’m getting a pension from the Navy. I started asking myself what my purpose is now. The Mission has helped me find that purpose, seeing all these people working together as one.


Have you lived in this neighborhood your whole life?


No, I’m from Alabama. The Navy brought me out here. After I got out of the Navy, I met my kids’ mother, and I’ve been out here 35 years. Went to Vietnam, came back, lived in Sacramento, Vallejo, Richmond. San Francisco just kept drawing me in, and I’ve been here ever since. My daughter’s 34, my son is 32.


Where do you see Bayview Mission in five years?


Movin’ on up!


You’ve seen some positive changes since you first started?


Yep, definitely have! I’m just looking for it to keep growing and growing, and more people coming to help and more people come move into the community. Every week, it seems like there’s more people coming than what we had the week before.