Q. What is Fun Factory?
A. YWCA Fun Factory is a mobile ten-week summer recreation program that visits neighborhoods throughout the Walla Walla Valley. The Fun Factory brings FREE outdoor fun, crafts, games and other activities to places where kids gather.
Q. What ages is it for?
A. We see kids as young as 4 and as old as 12 or 13. Most crafts are designed with ages 5 – 10 in mind, but all are welcome to come give it a try.
Q. What are the dates?
A. This summer the van will roll out every weekday from June 23 – August 15 (except July 4).
Q. How does it work? Where do I sign up?
A. No need to sign up. Each stop lasts about an hour. Some kids live close enough to a Fun Factory location that they can show up on their own. Others are dropped off. And if a parent or other adult wants to stay, that’s OK too. (Adults can even make the craft, as long as they promise to share the glue and glitter!)
Q. What does a Fun Factory day look like?
A. Each day of the week is different. Imagine one week’s activity is paper bag puppets. On Monday, the van might take puppet supplies Ten Ton Studios in Waitsburg, to the library in Dayton, and then, if the YWCA office gets a confirmation call by 1, all the way up to Starbuck School. The next week, those locations will have a different activity. Once the schedule is published, you will know what to expect and can put an entry like “Fun Factory – Touchet Library – Thursdays at 2:45” on your calendar and show up every week if you like.
Q. Where and when can I find the Fun Factory?
A. Our 2025 bilingual schedule is posted on the Fun Factory webpage.
Q. WHO is the Fun Factory?
A. At each stop you’ll find three or four enthusiastic, energetic leaders who love making things and playing games with kids. You’ll know you are at the right place when you see the white Fun Factory van and the Fun Factory leaders (Ollie, Paige, Helena, and Maggie) in their bright tie-dye shirts.
Q. What if it’s too hot to play? Or too smoky to breathe well?
A. Click here to check the heat index and air quality numbers for your stop’s ZIP code. Here’s when we will move Fun Factory activities indoors:
- If the heat index is 101 or higher,
- or if the air particulates are 151 or worse,
And In locations with no indoor option, we will cancel for everyone’s comfort and safety.