Your June Newsletter is Here! | | |
At the Funhouse Commons, our mission is to be a place of belonging and discovery.
As we celebrate Pride Month and prepare for another summer filled with camps, creativity, recreation, music, and our third annual FunFest, I find myself reflecting on what makes the Funhouse so special.
Last week, we relocated our sandbox and brought in fresh sand. It may seem like a small thing, but it felt surprisingly profound.
Children lined up at the gate, eager to explore the freshly prepared space they had watched come together over several days. Within minutes they were digging, building, creating, and collaborating. What struck me most wasn't the creativity—it was the way they shared the space. They welcomed one another, exchanged ideas, worked through disagreements, and transformed a simple box of sand into something far greater than the sum of its parts.
As I watched, I couldn't help but think that the sandbox is a beautiful metaphor for the Funhouse itself. A sandbox is simply a safe space with endless possibilities.
When children know they are welcome, safe, and valued, incredible things happen. They discover strengths they didn't know they had, build friendships, gain confidence, and begin to imagine new possibilities for themselves and their future.
The sandbox isn't the only place I see this happening. Whether in the music room, a mentoring relationship, a science project, a summer camp adventure, or a simple afternoon of play, the pattern is the same: young people thrive when they feel safe, supported, and encouraged.
Those protective factors are created every day through acts of kindness, mentorship, and connection—from the mentor who shares a skill, to the volunteer serving food at the FunFest, to the staff member who notices when a child is having a hard day, to the donors whose generosity ensures every child can participate.
Much like that sandbox, the community we share is something we build together and hold in trust for future generations. One of the greatest privileges of this work is helping steward a space where young people can explore, discover, create, connect, and grow.
Thank you for being part of this village and for helping make the Funhouse a place of belonging and discovery for every child who walks through our doors.
It takes a Village, and the Funhouse.
Ryan Carpenter,
Executive Director
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FunFest!
FunFest is coming up on Wednesday June 17th! This annual celebration marks the last day of school, and the beginning of summer. Absolutely free to all, come by and celebrate, enjoy live music, share food and games with your neighbors, or volunteer!
If you are interested in volunteering you can sign up here or email alli@thefunhouse.org. The fun runs from 12 - 4 and we hope to see you there!
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Pictured: Nova and Jo (singing mentorship) Frankie and Laura (DJ mentordhip) May and Parker (zine mentorship) Manon and Hannah (knitting mentorship) Hannah and Ali (quilting mentorship) Ryan nad Pax (landscape mentorship) Jessie and Talise (jewelry mentorship) Owen and John (music mentorship)
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Skills Based Mentor Program
Thank you all for coming to our final showcase of the Spring 2026 Skills Based Mentor Program! It is incredible to see the breadth of creativity and inspiration on this island, and to witness the mentoring relationships that have formed over the season. We hope that the mentees and mentors are able to go into the next season with new interests, confidence, memories and connections. It's truly inspiring to see what we are capable of when we commit to showing up for one another.
With the final showcase, the spring 2026 cohort has come to an end. If you're interested in signing up for the next cohort, (August - December) the registration links are attached below for mentees and potential mentors, along with a full program description.
If you're interested in joining our fall cohort, either as an adult mentor or a mentee, please email Maddie at maddie@thefunhouse.org
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Welcome Amanda Zimlich,
Development Director
Amanda brings a lifelong commitment to feeding, welcoming, and connecting people. From Seattle’s fine dining scene to global product development roles with major food brands, and most recently building Otters Pond Bed and Breakfast into a beloved Orcas Island retreat, Amanda has spent her career creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and cared for.
As Development Director, Amanda will help strengthen community relationships, expand philanthropic partnerships, and advance the Funhouse Commons’ mission to be a place of belonging and discovery so that every young person is welcome, supported, and inspired.
Please also join us in thanking Nicole Spinogatti, who will continue supporting the Funhouse through the transition this summer. We are deeply grateful for Nicole’s leadership, care, and dedication to our community.
Welcome, Amanda! We are excited for this next chapter together.
| | | SUMMER PROGRAMS AND OFFERINGS | | |
Rec and Tech Summer Hours
We just installed a new Wii in the Rec and Tech room! We now have Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Just Dance and Wii Sports, along with all the games installed on our NexPlayground console, and the classic arcade games.
The Peach Pit is open this summer for Middle and High schoolers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so the Rec and Tech room will be open on Thursdays and Fridays! Come by, drop in, hang out and try our new games!
| | Mondays 2:30 - 5pm- 4th/5th Grades Drop In Thursdays 1 - 5pm - High/Middle School Drop In Fridays 6 - 9pm - High School Night! | |
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Fishing Fridays is back!
Every Friday from July 3 - August 21st, the Funhouse is hosting FISHING FRIDAYS! Middle school aged students (12 - 15) will meet at the Funhouse at 10am to take a bus either to Cascade or Mountain Lake with two Funhouse staff members. Students will be back to the Funhouse by 2pm. Email maddie@thefunhouse for more information, or Register Here! This program is free, and we will have fishing supplies to borrow.
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Summer Camp Schedule
Week 1: June 29 – July 3
Week 2: July 6 – July 10
Week 3: July 13 – July 17
Week 4: July 20 – July 24
Week 5: July 28 – July 31
(no camp Monday, July 27)
Week 6: August 3 – August 7
Week 7: August 10 – August 14
Week 8: August 17 – August 21
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Academy of Sound
Attention musical Orcas teens! The Funhouse is pleased to announce the advent of a brand new music program: Academy of Sound. In this two week summer camp, teens will form bands, develop talent, build and perform a live set, and have fun!
There will be workshops on everything from music history to making merch, featuring all sorts of musical guests from the community and beyond. The camp will culminate in a big showcase for the public. Inspired by School of Rock. Sign up today!
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Camp Create and KIXP Radio
We are excited to announce a new development. Camp Create will be working with KIXP, Orcas' favorite radio station, to include MAKING A PODCAST in its weekly schedule! Last summer, campers took a field trip to the station where they were introduced to the equipment and even recorded on the mic. This year we will launch "KIXP Presents", an intro to radio production through podcast-making. The kids will interview local community members, including artists, farmers, musicians, etc, in the Richie Moore Songshop at the Funhouse, and their podcast will be aired live on KIXP! Big thanks to Allen and Tycho at KIXP. We are so excited for this ongoing partnership that gives kids hands-on experience with the ins and outs of production!
(Pictured Right:) Katie Spinogotti,
Allen Hartle, and Camp Create kids at KIXP in 2025
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Music Program
The Funhouse is finishing out a successful year of music classes including Group Ukulele, Group Violin, Kids' Chorus, and Music with Miss Mary! Our Kids' Chorus will be performing at the Funfest next Weds. Some young soloists will also be featured.
Miss Mary offered a drop-in Music with Miss Mary class last week and had a great turn-out! Another one is coming up on Friday, June 19th at 11am, so, families with little ones, mark your calendars!
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Play Groups!
We have two playgroups happening throughout the whole year, including summer: Mondays 3 - 5, and Fridays 12 - 2. We plan to have a roaming outdoor playgroup during the summer months only, but haven't nailed down the day/time for that yet -- I'll let you know when I know!
Families and caregivers with infants and toddlers are warmly invited to come play at the Funhouse for Playgroup! We have lots of interactive and educational toys, and a large open space perfect for curious and active kids. This is a free, drop-in program and all are welcome.
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Congratulations, Aidan, for winning our logo design contest!
Aidan created our new Peach Pit logo using pearl beads, and we're proud to announce it will be our official logo for the 2026 – 2027 school year. Thank you for your creativity and hard work- we can't wait to see it representing Peach Pit all year long!
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Peach Pit Summer Hours
This summer, The Peach Pit will once again welcome rising 6th graders through age 20. Drop-in will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July and August from 12 – 6 PM for food, games, and a place to chill. Islanders and visitors are all welcome, bring a friend, or meet a friend, and see what we’re all about! As always, it’s all free. No registration needed.
| | YOUR SUPPORT IS EVERYTHING | |
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Join Us in Making a Lasting Impact Become a Monthly Donor Today!
Your support can transform lives. By becoming a monthly donor, you provide the Funhouse with a reliable foundation to continue our important youth work. Whether it’s helping a child attend our Afterschool program, Summer Camp, or Music classes, to helping sponsor community events like our Science Fair, Halloween Party, Dia de Los Muertos & Summer FunFest, your ongoing commitment makes all the difference.Even a small, consistent gift can create lasting change.Sign up today and be a part of something bigger!
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