Your June Newsletter is Here! | | |
Dear Funhouse Friends,
WOW — what an incredible month it’s been here at Funhouse! The energy, excitement, and creativity that fill our building (and our hearts) are a constant reminder of why we are always seeking new ways to uphold our mission: to be a place of belonging and discovery that reflects the diverse interests and passions of the youth we serve.
BELONGING
As we step into June, we proudly recognize and celebrate the beautiful diversity within our community. We remain deeply committed to creating a safe and inclusive space where every young person feels seen, valued, and truly belongs, while honoring the unique gifts and contributions that each individual brings to our community.
DISCOVERY
This summer, we are expanding opportunities for youth to grow, connect, and thrive by offering exciting new programs, here's a preview...
For youth ages 12-15, Fishing Fridays offers guided fishing adventures at Cascade Lake. This free program not only teaches the basics of fishing, but also gives kids a chance to unplug, build confidence, and form friendships — all while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.
Led by beloved Miss Mary, Camp Create invites kids to explore their imaginations through hands-on art, crafts, and creative expression. Campers will discover new talents, grow their confidence, and experience the joy of creating in a fun, supportive environment.
Led by the award-winning author, Rachael Pruitt, this camp will be creative writing and fantasy building workshop for incoming 3-5th graders.
Our version of “School of Rock,” The Academy of Sound is an immersive band camp where youth come together to learn instruments, collaborate in bands, and prepare for a live final performance. Guided by Pedro and accompanied by skilled instructors, campers gain musical skills, build teamwork, and experience the thrill of performing on stage!
Plus, we’re expanding our private music lesson offerings! This summer, students can sign up for guitar, violin, piano, or drum lessons right here at the Funhouse.
FUN
FunFest! returns on June 20th at the Village Green to celebrate the last day of school and kick off summer in true Funhouse style! Join us for free food, drinks, water slides, bouncy houses, live youth performances, and headline entertainment by The Studs. It’s a day of community celebration you won’t want to miss!
CELEBRATING GRADUATES
We congratulate the entire class of 2025, and are proud to announce that the Funhouse has granted scholarships from 5 organizations to 8 amazing students (Ava Ashcraft, Lluvia Quintero-Carrion, Dagny Galen Krüger, Sintia Cruz Hernandez, Isaac Figueroa, Kiley Quill, Otto Sprenger, and Alexandria Sanders). Thanks to the generosity of our community, these young people will move forward with the support they need to pursue bright and promising futures.
NEW SPACES
Big things are happening inside the Funhouse as well! This summer we begin construction on our brand new Rec & Tech Room, creating even more opportunities for kids to explore, learn, and connect in a well designed space designed just for them.
25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
And of course — our biggest event of the year! On July 27th, we’ll gather at Family Tides Farm for our 25th Anniversary Gala, an unforgettable evening featuring a very special guest speaker, delicious food, great company, and plenty of inspiration. Tickets are on-sale now — we can’t wait to celebrate 25 years of belonging, discovery, and community impact with you!
Thank you all for your ongoing support, your generous hearts, and your belief in what we do. Together, we’re creating a place where every child can discover their gifts, make lasting friendships, and truly feel like they belong.
It takes a village, and the Funhouse!
Ryan Carpenter
Executive Director
| | Last Day of School Fun! Please join us! | | |
Celebrate 25 Years of Impact at the Funhouse Commons Summer Gala!
This summer, we’re marking a quarter-century of community, creativity, and connection—and we want you to be part of the celebration! Join us for an inspiring evening where we’ll honor our past, celebrate our present, and invest in a brighter future for island youth.
For 25 years, the Funhouse Commons has been a hub of learning, mentorship, and imagination. Your support helps us continue offering transformative programs in arts, science, leadership, and technology—ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and belong.
Enjoy live music, local cuisine, an exciting auction, and powerful stories from those who witness first-hand the way that lives have been shaped by the Funhouse. Together, let’s make the next 25 years even more extraordinary.
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This is an adults only (21+) outdoor event on grass - and some uneven ground - attire is best described as "island garden party". It will be warm at 4pm but cools down by 7pm. Parking is a short walk from the event space (closer parking is available for those who need it), please carpool if possible.
Sunday, July 27th, 2025
4 pm: Cocktails & Hors d'oeuvres
5 pm: Dinner & Live Auction
Family Tides Farm
6389 Deer Harbor Road
Orcas Island, WA
Purchase Tickets Today!
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Camp Create is for kids entering 4th-6th grade. Our days will be filled with activities that involve creative exploration through various mediums including music, art, sound, sculpture, gardening, cooking, nature study, collage, writing, theater, and more! We will be going on various walking field trips around Eastsound to engage in new environments, and we will even visit some local artists! This camp will be sure to spark the inspiration of its participants and help them to seek and find new ways to express their abundant creative energy. Scholarships are available. Contact Sarahdavis@thefunhouse.org to arrange.
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Kids’ Chorus performed three times this Spring! The first was in the Madrona Room opening for the Orcas Choral Society’s Spring Concert, second was a sing-a-long at the Funhouse, and third was a pop-up concert at Island Market.
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Highlights: The Funhouse Music Program has successfully concluded its Spring classes, with a total of 7 classes including Music with Miss Mary, Beginner Violin 1 & 2, Group Ukulele, Beginner Guitar, Kids' Chorus, and Girls' Electric Guitar. We are looking towards Summer as a time of private lessons and getting ready for next year.
The Music Studio will be available for teen use by appointment this Summer - Reach out to Mary if you're interested!
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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!
New to Music? Need to brush up on your skills? The Funhouse is offering a discount on private music lessons for the months leading up to Academy of Sound. Please contact ryan@thefunhouse.org for more information.
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Songlab
We also just wrapped up our Spring Session of Songlab. Congrats to our newest class of Songlab Luminaries!
Check out https://m.soundcloud.com/funhousesonglab to hear some of their work!
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Fishing Fridays
Every Friday from July 11-August 29th, the Funhouse is hosting FISHING FRIDAYS! Middle school aged students 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, and stay tuned for our registration link! This program is free, and we will have fishing supplies to borrow. Click HERE for registration/permission slip.
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Writing Workshop Opportunity
Rachael Pruitt, nationally recognized storyteller, and award-winning author, will be presenting a fantasy world-building class for incoming 3rd-5th graders this summer!
Every Tuesday in July from 1-2:30, kids are invited to create their own imaginary worlds and characters—worlds that are menaced by monsters that their heroes must find a way to transform and overcome. Utilizing elements of the Hero’s Journey and a unique myth-making process, participants will create legends that reflect young people’s real life issues and that draw on the tools of art, writing, drama, music, and dance to deepen their personal stories.
At the end of our class, students will participate in a celebration to share their unique fantasy adventures with their families and community.
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Open Mic
The Teen Funhouse Advisory Board (tFAB), along with Mary and Pedro of our music program, hosted the first ever Open Mic for middle and high schoolers in May! 25 people came to watch high school students perform some original songs and covers. Skye Buchard had been working in our Songlab program, and showed off some of her original work. It was the first of many Open Mic events to come, so stay tuned for updates!
Mentor Showcase
Our skills-based mentor program just wrapped up for the season at our final mentor showcase. Mentee and mentor pairs showed off what skill, craft or hobby they had worked on together since January! We had groups working on DJing, car maintenance, monster-book creation and so many other things. It really is amazing seeing how different each mentor group was, and how the program is able to cater to the needs and interests of the mentee. Please email maddie@thefunhouse.org if you are interested in signing up for our Aug-Dec cohort, either as a mentee or adult mentor!
TFAB Summer Events!
Teen Film Fest
The Teen Funhouse Advisory Board (tFAB) is working with Hana from the Orcas Microcinema on our second annual Teen Film Fest! Middle and High school students will work with an animator from the NW film forum to produce a short that will be screened the next night! Some tFAB members are on the film selection committee, and will select two youth-made independent films to screen on August 8th and 9th!
Laser Tag
At the end of the summer, the Teen Funhouse Advisory Board will host our second annual Laser Tag night for middle and high schoolers. Stay tuned on our newsletter and social media for dates!
Are you a middle/high schooler who is interested in joining tFAB? You'll get hands-on event production experience, learn board advisory skills, and bring your ideas for parties and events to your community! Email maddie@thefunhouse.org if you want to learn more!
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Rainbow Club
Happy Pride Month!! The Funhouse continues to host our drop in space for middle and high schoolers and will throughout the summer! Meet us at the Funhouse, every other Thursday from 6-8mpm for snacks, games and community! Upcoming Summer dates are: 6/19, 7/3, 7/17, 7/31, 8/13, 8/27, 9/10, 9/24
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Latinx Mentor Program
The middle and high school students in our Latinx Mentor Program had a busy spring! At the end of May, they went on an overnight, chaperoned trip to a Students of Color Leadership Conference! They toured Seattle U and did an escape room the next day. Last weekend, a group of our Latinx mentors, and Next Gen students went to the Lopez Youth Prevention Summit! It's always empowering to connect youth to other communities on and off Orcas.
| | Coalition for Orcas Youth | | |
COY wants to hear from YOU! We're gathering community input to better understand how people on Orcas Island view youth substance use—and your perspective is incredibly important. This quick, anonymous survey is for everyone, even if you don’t think you know much about the topic. If you live on Orcas, your voice matters! You can also enter to win a $100 gift card to Island Market, three chances to win!
Take the survey here http://www.coalitionfororcasyouth.org/community-survey.html
*No Coalition for Orcas Youth (COY) meetings in July and August.
Happy Summer, see you in September.*
| | This month marks the one year anniversary of the fiscal sponsorship and partnership between the Peach Pit and Funhouse Commons. The synergy, collaboration, and partnership between both organizations is going wonderfully! The future is getting even brighter for young people on Orcas Island! | | |
The Relentless Race Was a Hit!
On May 18th, Eastsound Village was alive with excitement as teams of middle and high schoolers competed in The Relentless Race! Planned by our amazing youth staff, the event was packed with fun, high-energy challenges that tested brains, brawn, and teamwork. Huge thanks to everyone who participated and supported—what a day!
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Peach Pit Building Update
We’re getting so close to opening… so close! In the meantime, our amazing youth staff team took a moment to soak up the sun on our beautiful new deck—while also creating the participation agreements for everyone who steps inside the Peach Pit. Here’s what they came up with:
• Be Kind – Treat everyone with compassion, patience, and care.
• Basic Respect – Honor each other’s space, differences, and boundaries.
• Try It Out – Be open to new experiences, activities, and ideas.
• Be Accountable – Own your actions and make things right when needed.
• Use Common Sense – Think things through and make smart, safe choices.
We can’t wait to share this incredible space, that is truly by youth, for youth!
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A BIG shout-out to Kiley Quill, an OIHS senior, for painting and building the Peach Pit Resource Closet and playing a key role in creating a partnership between the Peach Pit, the Orcas Community Resource Center, and Island Reproductive Health Initiative (IRHI). Thanks to Kiley’s leadership and vision, the Peach Pit now offers free personal care items and essential supplies to Orcas teens—no questions asked.
| | Thank you to Sylvia Johnson for her wonderfully inspired outer-space mural in the upstairs of the Funhouse. And thank you Lluvia Quintero-Carrion for the handmade picnic table for us to enjoy! | | | |
The Funhouse is housing Pete Welty's amazing sculpture, "Embryo". Pete is a local artist and metalworker whose works can be found all over Eastsound, including the Whale at Orcas Center, several sculptures at the Library, and two benches at the Village Green.
Pete fondly remembers the days when his grandkids went to the Funhouse and he would pick them up. He is happy to share his sculpture with the community through the Funhouse. And what an adventure it was installing it- that thing weighs a ton! Thanks Pete!!
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