Funhouse Teen Nights: What Needs Doing

The Funhouse will host a Community Meeting about Teen Night on June 23

By the Funhouse Staff

For a decade now, “Teen Night” at The Funhouse has been a valuable resource for teens and their families here on Orcas.

In 2009 we averaged 40 teen visits every Friday and Saturday night, or roughly 4,000 visits for the year.  Providing a fun, safe, drug-free, non-judgmental place for teens to gather is part of our original mission.

However, even successful programs can always be improved. In that spirit, we are inviting anyone and everyone to The Funhouse for a community meeting about Teen Night.

We want to ensure that teens and parents are satisfied with the current program and that Teen Night is meeting community needs.

Questions we would like to address include:

• Should parents be more or less involved?  How can we get them to participate?
• Do parents see Teen Night as a safe option for teens?  If not, what can we do to make it safer while still appealing to teens?
• Do teens see teen night as safe and fun?  If not, how do we get them more involved in creating that environment?
• Should we implement  a “lock-in” system or “check-in/out” system for Teen Night?
• Is the current middle school policy working?  Should we have more or less time dedicated to middle school hours?

Please join all The Funhouse staff on Wednesday, June 23^rd at 5 p.m. to discuss Teen Night Issues.  We need both parents and teens to be involved in this dialogue so we can continue to provide a secure and fun option for teens on the island.  Treats and Refreshments Provided!

Founded by generous members of the Orcas Island community in 2000, The Funhouse is a 501(c)3 non- profit community center with hands-on science exhibits, multi-media labs, art studio, climbing wall and more. The Funhouse also facilitates essential Teen, After School, Education and Mentor programs for the youth on Orcas Island. www.thefunhouse.org