Greentrike

Museums: the children's museum of tacoma (cmt) and the children's museum at jblm (cm@jblm) honor children and youth and champion play. The museums each feature five playscapes that encourage imaginative, child directed play and are accessible through the pay as you will (payw) admission program, where visitors may choose to make a donation to the museum based on their ability to pay. Sparks is a play-based arts education program that fosters self-expression, builds familiarity with artistic techniques and draws on the curiosity that naturally happens within a children's museum. It invites participants to explore the depth of their creativity with guidance from a staff artist. In 2023, cmt welcomed 80,696 visitors, of which, 3,139 were during our low sensory hours (reserved for children experiencing special needs). Cm@jblm welcomed 44,492 visitors, of which, 626 of which were during our low sensory hours (reserved for children experiencing special needs). Sparks served 825 participants over the course of 57 workshops at both museums. And 90% of visitors were able to experience the learning opportunities within our museums because of payw.

Preschool powered by play is held at the hoyt early learning center campus in tacoma's proctor neighborhood. Preschool powered play serves children ages 3-5 years old and their adults. This relationship-based program supports parental engagement in and encouragement of the natural, playful, discovery process, helping prepare children to be confident and eager learners who are ready for school and their life journey. During the 2023-2024 school year, preschool powered by play offered 5 classes with 54 children enrolled. In fall 2023, Greentrike piloted a scholarship program awarding full and partial scholarships to support a more diverse socioeconomic status of families participating in classes. 5 scholarships were awarded and 16% of families identified as low income.

In 2020, Greentrike was selected as the pierce county osti (out of school time intermediary), and tasked with overseeing and developing afterschool programming at elementary and middle schools throughout tacoma, and eventually the county. Expanded learning opportunities (elo) take place before, during, and after school, starting with those students furthest removed from opportunities, in partnership with schools and local businesses who provide enrichment activities, including visual and performing arts, dance, robotics, steam, mentorship, and more. Children and youth need a variety of learning enrichment opportunities to help them discover play and spark as a way of reaching their full potential. Greentrike osti offers pierce county's youth development community the tools and expertise needed to lift up children and youth in marginalized communities. During the 2023-2024 school year, Greentrike worked with 55 providers to offer elo after school enrichment activities for nearly 5,000 students.