The Funhouse is the short name for The Funhouse Discovery Center of Orcas Island, Washington.

Founded by local activists in the Spring of 1999, The Funhouse is a not-for-profit community center that fosters fun and learning with dozens of hands-on kid-friendly science exhibits, a computer lab, complete audio and video production studios, a huge library of educational films and documentaries, facilities for classes and much, much more.

But the Funhouse is much more than that. It is a safety net for the youth of Orcas Island, and by extension their families.

The Funhouse provides extensive mentoring programs, after-school programs, drop-out prevention programs and support for teens.

The Funhouse is the only place on Orcas that provides these programs, and focuses on the well-being of kids 7-18.

In fact, since we opened the doors in 2000,

• Drug use among teens has decreased significantly
• Teen crime has dropped significantly
• Alcohol use has declined
• Tobacco use has declined
• Teen pregnancy/abortion has declined

All of these were problems on Orcas in the 1990s. Looking for a solution was what led to the creation of the Funhouse, and it works.

All of the above info is available in The Funhouse Report 2006. To request a copy, click here.

Located in Eastsound, the biggest town on Orcas Island, The Funhouse has hands-on interactive exhibits about science, sports, geography, music, history and the human body.

There's also a pitching cage with speed gun, an art studio, a recording studio with musical instruments, a video production room, a climbing wall and a half dozen DSL computers to surf the net or check your e-mail!

There's more: Two video pods for viewing one of our 800+ videos, a small library, and a lounge and gaming area with pool table to add to the diversity of things to explore at The Funhouse.

Most importantly, The Funhouse provides the Orcas Island community with a safe place for kids to hang out, learn, play and explore their creativity.

While we cater mostly to off-island visitors during the summer months, the rest of the year is dedicated to providing local kids with a place to go and participate in many of the inspirational programs we offer such as: video and audio production, improvisational theater, poetry, beading, computer skills and women's self-defense.

We also offer a wide range of classes to teens and adults in the evenings, and we have toddler programs during the day-time.

The Funhouse is a public 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, generously supported by the donations and grants. We are also supported by an army of volunteers from every walk of life and every part of our amazing community, without whom we couldn't function.

We are always looking for more support. For further information on volunteering or making a donation, please click on the contacts link below.

To see a list of the current board members click here .

To see Friends of The Funhouse click here .

Thanks for visiting!