There’s a kitchen where lots of meals are prepared by our Young Scientists Club. There is also the stage room and the classroom. The room that gives you the strongest feeling of family is the Lagoon Room. Sort of the living room of the center, people hang out here, play board games, or have a cup of coffee. The fact that we are all there at the same time enjoying the company of one another provides a feeling of togetherness.

The Young Scientist Club learns how to cook peppers they grew over the summer!

The fact that the floor is red in the Lagoon Room may psychologically add to the warmth of the place, but the main source of this feeling is definitely the staff here. You may see Tory helping a group of kids understand how sound can make rice move on a sheet of aluminum foil, or maybe Alex taking a group of kids out on a canoe for the first time.

No matter the activity, the expressions and emotions you see running through these children make us all proud of what we do here. So I want to personally thank my coworkers for making this place so special for these children that look at us like an extended family.

Autumn fun with friends at Washington Park

You ask how I am so sure these kids feel like we’re family; it’s because I have been called “Uncle T” a numerous amount of times. Also, because the word “bro” is used so much in the community, the parents understandably feel a since of brotherhood from me. Or so I’ve heard. I definitely feel like I am with my family when I get here.

If you want to experience this feeling of family or if you just want to meet some new friends. I highly encourage you to come on over, have a cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or tea, and see exactly why this place is my—and so many other people’s—home away from home.