Your April Newsletter is Here!

Dear Friends,


Spring has officially arrived—and with it, wonder, discovery, and curiosity are blooming at the Funhouse.


In this, our 25th Anniversary year, we have raised the MAST for music, art, science, and technology. These pillars are guiding our programs this season, helping kids explore their creativity, fuel their passion, and connect more deeply with the world around them.


In the Richie Moore Song Shop, young musicians are finding their voice as they explore guitar, violin, ukulele, songwriting, and recording. Vibrant arts and crafts classes—from art with Griselda to quilting and bag-making—are thriving across all ages and abilities. Meanwhile, students are engaging in hands-on science projects, prepping for our upcoming Science Fair, and diving into the future through new engineering and tech clubs.


This isn’t just enrichment—it’s empowerment. These opportunities help young people discover who they are and who they can become. And most importantly, they’re accessible to everyone. Thanks to our sliding scale fees, full scholarships, and community support, no child is ever turned away.


We Need Your Help


For many working families on Orcas Island, the Funhouse is more than an out-of-school program — it’s a cornerstone of daily life. Parents depend on us to provide a safe, welcoming space where their kids can belong, be supported, and be inspired under the guidance of caring staff

.

That’s where your support comes in.


Your gift helps fund the people at the core of the Funhouse — the educators, artists, musicians, and leaders who create the safe, meaningful, and magical experiences our youth depend on. By supporting our staff, you’re directly investing in the future of every child who walks through our doors.


Here’s how you can help:


• Volunteer for an event or workshop

• Donate to support our teachers, scholarships, and supplies

• Attend one of our spring happenings and cheer on our youth

• Spread the word about our programs to families, friends, and neighbors

• Join us at the 25th Anniversary Gala


Upcoming events like the Dia de los Niños (April 23), the Science Fair (May 3), Open Mic Night (May 16), Mentor Showcase Spotlight (May 18), FunFest (June 20), and Summer Camp (June 30) are just around the corner—and every one of them is designed to celebrate youth creativity, connection, and FUN!


At its heart, the Funhouse has always been about creating a space where all young people feel they belong and can have fun as caring adults help them grow into curious, confident, and compassionate individuals.


Let’s keep that momentum going by lifting up the next generation. And together, let’s raise the MAST and sail into a season full of joy, learning, and endless possibility.


It takes a village, and the Funhouse!

Ryan Carpenter, Executive Director



Please take a moment to join our Village of supporters who make all this Fun possible.



Sponsor a Funhouse Kid Today


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.


Together, we can build a brighter future—one month at a time.


Sign up today and be a part of something bigger!


Set up your recurring monthly donation here.




Upcoming Events

PROGRAMMING

AFTERSCHOOL



Technomages: An Exploratory 8 Week Tech Course

Class runs from April 14- June 11 from 3:30-5pm upstairs at the Funhouse! 



NEW after-school club, Technomages! We’ll get hands-on with technology: experimenting with electronics, building bots, coding apps and conducting teardowns in the analogue and digital world. Whether we’re programming a game, creating a gadget, or exploring the wild wonders of AI, we’ll be learning by doing.


No experience necessary! If you're curious about how tech works, if you love to tinker, if you want to know why tech does what it does – this club is for you!



Register on the Funhouse Website!

MUSIC



This Spring, Funhouse Commons will be proudly continuing its new music program, “Songlab”, running from April 13th to June 4th.


Songlab will be operating in a brand new space at the Funhouse’s— The Richie Moore Songshop, with cutting edge recording gear and a bevy of instruments, both new and donated. Songlab is a music education program where students will learn the art of songwriting and recording. There will be two classes per week geared towards students 12 to 18 years old. Led by local music educator and performer Pedro Lopez De Victoria, Songlab will take students through the process of songcraft, from abstract idea to finished and publishable recording! Also featuring performances and presentations by established musicians.


Register at www.thefunhousecommons.org

TEEN


SCI-FI SATURDAYS!



Get ready for the Science Fair on May 3rd by attending our Sci-Fi Saturday Movie Series in April! From 6-7pm, food will be served while we watch a nostalgic episode of The Magic School Bus, then at 7pm, we will watch a Sci-Fi movie, expertly selected by our Teen Funhouse Advisory Board. All ages are welcome to join until 7 to eat and watch Magic School Bus, but the event is 13+ on the nights with a PG 13 film. 





Sci-Fi Saturday April Movie Lineup


6pm-7pm Dinner and Magic School Bus 

 7pm- Movie 

April 19- Inception (PG 13)

April 26- Back to the Future (PG)

Middle/High School Open Mic


SEEKING MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL MUSICIANS: The Funhouse is celebrating the opening of our new Music Room and Recording Studio by hosting a free, public Open Mic event for middle and high schoolers. Full bands, soloists, instrumentalists, and small groups are invited to sign up to share 1-4 songs (originals and covers welcome!). 


The event will be Friday, May 16th from 7-9 at the Funhouse. We will be taking sign ups for the event up until the week of, but we'd like larger bands or groups confirmed by the beginning of May.

Sign Up Here to perform!



MENTOR SHOWCASE



Join us on May 18th from 2-4pm at the Funhouse for our Skills-Based Mentor Showcase!


Nine mentor matches have been meeting since mid-January, developing new skills and crafts. Each match has been working on a specific project or projects and will display what they've done in their time together. Our mentors have been working on everything from anime, to quilting to car maintenance! This event is open to the public and is a great way to celebrate the incredible talent and dedication of our mentoring community.




Rainbow Club


Our club for LGBTQIA+ teens and allies continues to meet every other Thursday at the Funhouse from 6-8pm! We eat snacks, chat, and craft together. All are welcome! Upcoming Rainbow Club dates are April 24, May 8 and May 22!


PEACH PIT UPDATE


While construction continues at the Peach Pit, progress is well underway in other ways. Here are a few recent highlights:


Youth Development

• We're proud to continue investing in the growth of our youth staff team by providing meaningful and impactful development opportunities. Over the past month, our team participated in comprehensive training sessions focused on Inclusive Leadership Strategies, CPR/First Aid certification, and Event Planning—equipping them with valuable skills to lead with confidence and care.



Support, Empowerment, and Resiliency Building: The Day Program

• The Day Program provides personalized resources and case management for teens and young adults navigating adversity. It empowers participants by encouraging them to take charge of their own paths, building resilience and self-advocacy along the way. Currently held at the Funhouse, the program will move to the Peach Pit once construction wraps up. For more info, reach out to Meagan Gable- meagan@orcaspeachpit.org.


The Relentless Race is coming to Eastsound!

• Our amazing youth staff team is hard at work planning The Relentless Race—a high-energy competition where teams of two will take on challenges that require mental or physical strength, and some that are just plain fun. Mark your calendars for May 18th: middle schoolers race at 2 PM, high schoolers at 4 PM.


To make sure it’s the best it can be, our youth staff tested the course themselves—rain, mud, laughs and all! Check out some snapshots from their wild test run.


Mark your Calendar and Join Us!

Click here to get on the mailing list to receive your an official invitation with all the details!


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