Orcas Commons/Funhouse Gala Keeps TEAM Going

Middle school girls Tori Sturk, left, and Jessica Nichols play a game of Twister at the Orcas Commons (formerly the Funhouse)

Gala this Saturday Night Kicks Off Membership Drive Campaign

Orcas’ Funhouse/Commons anticipates support for their new direction at their annual Gala this year, to be held Saturday, Sept. 17. (For details, call 376-7177).

The new name, Orcas Commons, signals the transition to a new focus — the non-profit’s “common” community service, rather than a summer tourist destination. Executive Director Pete Moe says the ten-year old institution “has been running under the radar for the last six years,”  and now will zero in to make their TEAM programs stronger:

1)     Teen
2)     After-school
3)     Education
4)     Mentor

The Gala, at the Outlook Inn this year, is a very important event to keep those programs going. Historically, the Gala brings in about one-third of the annual budget for the ten-year old island non-profit, and expectations are optimistic that the event will be equally successful this year.

The Funhouse/Commons event is unique in that dinner participants are encouraged to bid their sponsorship of Funhouse/Commons TEAM programs. Sponsors will be acknowledged by signage in the Commons building and on the website.

In addition to program sponsorship, a handful of special trips and events will be up for bid. Purchasers can invite a group of friends to partake in the event, or a group of purchasers can collectively purchase the trip.

The Funhouse Board of Directors has decided on the new name, the Orcas Commons, to point out the new focus on the non-profit’s “common” community service, rather than a summer tourist destination. Its mission remains the same, a central, multi-purpose, youth-centered community program. The best of the established science discovery programs – including the annual Science Fair, the kids Science Club and the new summer Eco-Fest – will continue. So will the pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) college exam preparation course. Offering college financial aid workshops will also continue to bolster the education component of the non-profit’s mission. For a list of the classes offered to all ages this fall, go to thefunhouse.org/current-classes

The Board, led by Eric Youngren,  also decided to build on the success of last year’s after-school program, by opening the afternoon to third-graders. A Commons staff member comes to the Orcas Island Elementary School every day at 3 p.m. to escort any schoolkids to the Commons, just up North Beach Road.

Moe says, “Thanks to Lana Hickman, the after-school ‘Activity Hour’ has improved over last year. From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., kids can’t just sit on the computers, but have to pick form one of the ongoing activities, such as homework club, or the art-science connection or active games, run with the help of our teen staff.

“The hour of structured activity has totally changed the vibe in here after school,” Moe says. “It is much calmer and less distracted, the structured activities modulate the kids’ energy better than an hour of individual pursuits.”

Teen nights will continue as always, on every Friday and Saturday night throughout the year from 6 to 11 p.m., with middle school students admitted between 6 and  8 p.m.

Heightened security and supervision have been implemented, both indoors and out, to lessen the likelihood of  troublesome incidents at the Funhouse. “The point is that, at the Funhouse, teens are supervised, as opposed to walking around by themselves,” says Moe. Parents are informed of any incidents and asked to communicate with the Commons. “We need parents to come in and check what’s going on at Teen Night,” says Moe, who adds that it is the organization’s policy to report every incident to the Sheriff’s office.

Parents who would like to help supervise Teen Nights, once or every weekend night can call 376-7177. High School Key Club members sign up on a weekly basis to assist in supervision, along with the regular Commons’ staff members.

Beyond the Gala, the Orcas Commons is ramping up its membership drive. Donations and volunteers are needed more than ever in this time of declining grant funds, Director Moe says. Invitations to join the organization have been sent to all island schools. An island-wide newsletter was sent out earlier this month.

Admission to the Commons ranges from $7 for one day to annual fees of $50 for individuals and $100 family/grandparent  memberships. Membership benefits for one year include:

• Unlimited free admission
• 5 percent discount on adult and youth classes
• 5 percent discount on party rentals
• Good vibes for supporting kids!

Business memberships also keep the Commons/Funhouse budget in the black, as it has for the last four years. Moe acknowledges the help of the Orcas Island Community Foundation, and individually, Joe Cohen and Martha Farish, “who  have been incredible supporters of our program.”

Future offings for the Commons may include environmental classes, as well as a Spanish language homework club and Spanish-English conversational classes.

For more information, go to: https://www.thefunhouse.org/