Faster Alone, but Further Together
This summer, our Camp Create kids designed a mural that now hangs proudly above the Funhouse art room. Filled with colorful fish—each one wonderfully different—the mural carries a simple message: “Faster alone…but further together.”
That message captures so much of what Funhouse Commons is about. We recognize and celebrate the unique personality, creativity, and talents of every young person while creating a shared space where we can learn, play, grow, and contribute to something greater than ourselves.
Watching children create, explore, and care for one another is deeply inspiring. In a world that can feel increasingly divided and focused on individual gain, young people remind us what becomes possible when we make room for each other. They show us that our differences do not have to separate us; instead, they can become part of something larger, more colorful, and more meaningful.
Today, as we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, I am reminded of a profound experience of belonging from my time in graduate school in Canada. In the aftermath of the attacks, our entire school gathered in the gym—not as Americans and Canadians, nor as people divided by a border, but as human beings sharing grief, concern, and compassion. As we confronted the devastation and senselessness of what had occurred, our common humanity mattered more than our differences. That experience remains a powerful reminder that, especially in times of division and uncertainty, we go further when we choose to stand together.
From the beginning, Children’s Discovery Foundation has brought people together for the good of our community, guided by a vision that every young person is welcome, supported, and inspired.
As the school year gets underway, we are excited to continue offering creative arts, music, mentoring, recreation, technology, and meaningful relationships. For many young people, Funhouse Commons is more than a place to attend a program—it is a second home and a place of belonging and discovery.
I am especially looking forward to our first Family Fun Night on Thursday, October 22. Everyone is invited to this free open house at Funhouse. Come explore our new Rec & Tech Room, test your skills on the StepManiaX machine, rediscover pinball with our Dungeons & Dragons game, or choose from hundreds of vintage video games.
The evening will also feature Pinewood Derby races, LegoMania, arts and crafts, free food and beverages, and—most importantly—an opportunity to meet other families and discover everything Funhouse Commons offers our community.
We may sometimes move faster alone, but we will always go further together.
Ryan Carpenter
Executive Director
| 
