All photos courtesy of Ventura Charter School.
VENTURA — Ventura Charter School welcomed an estimated 2,500 attendees to its 15th Annual EcoFest on Sunday, April 26, as students, families, local businesses and community organizations gathered on the school’s Ventura campus to celebrate sustainability and demonstrate what a school rooted in its community looks like in practice.
All proceeds from booth fees, sponsorships, the silent auction and raffle ticket sales go directly to student programs and educational enrichment at Ventura Charter School.
Student participation was central to the day. Ventura Charter School students performed on the main stage alongside local musicians and dancers, and a second-grade class ran a seed sale featuring lupins, marigolds and calendula they had grown from seed, complete with hand-written care instructions for buyers. The Kids Zone featured a build station using donated Legos and a crafting booth organized by Casual Creative Craft Club, where children made art from materials set for recycling. Community exhibitors added to the experience, sharing their knowledge of sustainability and environmental stewardship directly with young attendees. Across the event, students were not just attendees but active contributors, putting the school’s values of empathy, advocacy and excellence into visible practice.
“This year really exemplified the pillars of Ventura Charter: empathy, advocacy and excellence,” said Amanda Kelley, EcoFest event co-chair and parent at the school. “It was truly a celebration of our school and how it can be a part of and give back to its community.”
Now in its 15th year, EcoFest has grown into one of Ventura County’s signature community events, bringing together local businesses, environmental organizations and families around a shared commitment to sustainability. For Ventura Charter School students, the event is more than a fundraiser. It is an opportunity to put their education into practice, take on real responsibilities and see firsthand how a school can serve as a gathering place for the community it belongs to. With enthusiasm already building among participants and exhibitors alike, organizers look forward to continuing that tradition at next year’s event.
