Events at
Readiness To Learn
Clinton Holiday Market
Hearts of Gratitude at the Clinton Holiday Market
Every year, Readiness To Learn board members create sweet handmade "Hearts of Gratitude" as an annual fundraiser for our programs.
Get your one-of-a-kind heart ornament at the Clinton Holiday Market on December 7 or 8, or at Bayview Corner's Giving Tree at Bayview Corner Cash Store from December 1st to the 31st.
Clinton Holiday Market
Hearts of Gratitude at the Clinton Holiday Market
Every year, Readiness To Learn board members create sweet handmade "Hearts of Gratitude" as an annual fundraiser for our programs.
Get your one-of-a-kind heart ornament at the Clinton Holiday Market on December 7 or 8, or at Bayview Corner's Giving Tree at Bayview Corner Cash Store from December 1st to the 31st.
Second Annual Holiday House Toy Drive
2nd Annual Holiday House Toy Drive Hosted by Your SWHS Falcon Basketball Teams
Bid and Bloom Online Gift Basket Silent Auction
A Gift Basket Silent Auction Online
Our beloved community businesses have donated baskets full of goodies for your bidding pleasure.
This online silent auction will be open from December 2nd to December 13th for two weeks of bidding fun! As always, your contributions are invaluable to our work in supporting all youth to experience success in school and beyond. Thank you for bidding!
Click to participate in our silent auction!
If you prefer to donate instead, please visit the Bid and Bloom campaign page.
October Fundraiser, Broomstick Bike Ride, Becomes December Silent Auction
While the rain washed out our first-ever Broomstick Bike Ride and raffle, something enchanting grew in its place: The magical Bid and Bloom Gift Basket Silent Auction.
Despite the poor weather that precipitated the cancellation of the Broomstick Bike Ride event, we had the opportunity to acknowledge a significant contributor to Readiness To Learn, Mickie Nowlin, the first director of our organization, through our hard work and community spirit.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners who helped us bring the idea to life:
We thank the following organizations for their contributions to the event raffle baskets, which are now a part of our silent auction.
The Clizer-Schmidt Family
Preview and bid on the Silent Auction gift baskets.
Wrapping Paper Supply Drive for Holiday House
Wrapping Paper Supply Drive for Holiday House Hosted by Woodhaven High School
Dear Community Members,
With the holiday season upon us, Readiness to Learn’s (RTL) annual Holiday House is coming up. In case you weren’t aware, Holiday House is an event where people who are in need can visit a thoughtfully curated ‘store’ and shop for gifts for family members. This year, the event will be held from December 7th - December 20th, and will take place at the Langley Community center (723 Camano Ave, Langley, WA 98260).
During this time last school year, our school (Woodhaven High School), worked briefly with Readiness to Learn on their Holiday House event by decorating the space before the store was open. This event is very close to our hearts because RTL’s ability to provide for hundreds of families who struggle to afford gifts during the holidays is so inspiring to our school community. Therefore, this holiday season, our school is working in collaboration with RTL to help find donations, design flyers/decorations, and spread awareness about this wonderful event.
Of course, this event cannot be done without the help of our generous Whidbey community. We are seeking donations of wrapping paper, bows and ribbons, (new or slightly used) gift bags, and tape, that are to be submitted between Nov. 22nd and December 14th. Drop off locations for donations of wrapping paper, bows, etc. are listed below.
Community Center (CC) main office
Outside the library (at the CC)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (5425 Maxwelton Rd, Langley, WA 98260)
Trinity Lutheran Church (18341 WA-525, Freeland, WA 98249)
Bayview Goosefoot Community Fund (5611 Bayview Rd, Langley, WA 98260)
If you can, please give what you can so we can continue this program for another year!
If you have any questions, you can email cmurray@readinesstolearn.org for more information.
~ Lily and Liam, on behalf of the Woodhaven High School, in collaboration with Readiness to Learn
Broomstick Bike Ride
THE FIRST EVER
Broomstick Bike Ride
All Treats - No Tricks
A family event and fundraiser in honor of Mickie Nowlin, founder of Readiness To Learn!
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 26th, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: South Whidbey Community Center, 723 Camano Ave., Langley, WA
Suggested Donation: $25 (Pay at the event, or you can also bring a copy of your donation receipt.)
About the Event
Join us for a family-friendly bike ride to honor Mickie Nowlin and support Readiness To Learn! This Halloween-themed community event combines fun, fitness, and fundraising for a great cause.
Schedule
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Opening Festivities
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Community Ride
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Family Fun Activities
Event Highlights
Bike ride through SWCC campus and the Fairgrounds
Water and trick-or-treat stops along the route
Open to bikes, strollers, scooters, skates, wagons & broomsticks
Bike and costume decorating contest with prizes
Raffle with Halloween-themed baskets
Refreshments and activities after the ride
Join us!
Suggested donation: $25 per family at the event on-site. Did you donate online? Please let us know at the event so we can thank you.
Why Participate
Honor Mickie Nowlin's legacy of community support and education
Support Readiness To Learn, helping children succeed in school
Enjoy a fun, family-friendly Halloween-themed event
Strengthen community bonds through shared activities
Contact Us for More Information
Fall Festival and Community Cider Press
The crisp aroma of freshly pressed apples and the lively sounds of Rubatano Marimba will once again fill the Lower Field at the South Whidbey Community Center on October 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., as the community gathers to celebrate the fifth annual Fall Festival and Cider Press.
This event, a cherished local tradition, is organized through a partnership between Woodhaven High School and the South Whidbey CARES Coalition. In collaboration with the "Drug Take Back" initiative, the festival reflects the community's commitment to health, safety, and togetherness. This year, additional organizations like Slow Food Whidbey Island, Readiness To Learn, and Island County Human Services and Public Health have joined the planning team, promising even more fun for attendees. Guests can enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, and freshly pressed apple cider made on-site by students, families, and volunteers.
“Last year, about 160 gallons of apple cider were made in just one day,” said Marli Jenkins, festival organizer and administrator at Woodhaven High School. “This event truly shows how our community comes together to celebrate and support one another.”
The festival will feature a variety of activities, including face painting, a photo booth, and a petting zoo. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own containers to take home some of the delicious cider.
Additionally, the South Whidbey CARES Coalition, in partnership with the Langley Police Department, will host a "Drug Take Back" booth, providing a safe way to dispose of unused and expired medications. For more details on accepted items, visit the South Whidbey CARES Facebook page here.
For more information about the festival or to find out how you can support it, please email swcarescoalition@gmail.com.
The South Whidbey CARES Coalition, a program of the South Whidbey School District, is funded by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative.
Contact:
Lauri Johnson-Grimm
South Whidbey CARES Coalition Coordinator
Email: swcarescoalition@gmail.com
Youth of Color Collective Art Show Opening
Enjoy the art work created by youth of all ages through the Youth Of Color program at Pamoja Place. Come celebrate the opening night, the show will be at The HUB Gallery through November 3, 2024. Sponsored by Goosefoot and Pamoja Place.
September Round Up for Readiness To Learn at The Goose
Round Up for Readiness To Learn at The Goose during the month of September. Find out more about this great program at The Goosefoot website!
Up, Up, Up Circus - Langley
Get Excited for Up, Up, Up Circus!
We are excited to announce that the Up, Up, Up Circus is coming to Whidbey Island as part of their Summer 2024 Tour! This unique, whimsical circus brings joy and levity with a flatbed truck stage, hand-cranked crane for aerial acts, and a 100-year-old baby grand piano for live music. This one-hour, all-ages show promises to be fun and unforgettable, featuring daring acrobats, opera divas, and magical performances.
Langley Show to Support Readiness To Learn
Date: August 1
Time: 6 PM
Purchase Langley tickets here: https://readinesslearn.betterworld.org/events/up-up-up-circus-langley
Oak Harbor Show to Support Mother Mentors
Date: July 31
Time: 6 PM
Purchase Oak Harbor tickets here: https://mmwi.betterworld.org/.../up-up-up-circus-oak-harbor
Follow Up, Up, Up Circus on Instagram: @upupupinc
These performances promise to be fun-filled evenings for the whole family, all while supporting our mission and the community. Join us for an evening of laughter, wonder, and community support. We hope to see you there!
Up, Up, Up, Circus - Oak Harbor
Get Excited for Up, Up, Up Circus!
We are excited to announce that the Up, Up, Up Circus is coming to Whidbey Island as part of their Summer 2024 Tour! This unique, whimsical circus brings joy and levity with a flatbed truck stage, hand-cranked crane for aerial acts, and a 100-year-old baby grand piano for live music. This one-hour, all-ages show promises to be fun and unforgettable, featuring daring acrobats, opera divas, and magical performances.
Oak Harbor Show to Support Mother Mentors
Date: July 31
Time: 6 PM
Purchase Oak Harbor tickets here: https://mmwi.betterworld.org/.../up-up-up-circus-oak-harbor
Langley Show to Support Readiness To Learn
Date: August 1
Time: 6 PM
Purchase Langley tickets here: https://readinesslearn.betterworld.org/events/up-up-up-circus-langley
Follow Up, Up, Up Circus on Instagram: @upupupinc
These performances promise to be fun-filled evenings for the whole family, all while supporting our mission and the community. Join us for an evening of laughter, wonder, and community support. We hope to see you there!
SmileMobile Langley
The SmileMobile is coming to Langley! It will be at the South Whidbey Community Center July 15th through the 19th. Appointments are available now!
Call to schedule your visit: 888.286.9105.
The dental team will see babies (first tooth), children, youth, pregnant/postpartum people, and adult family members with Apple Health, and no insurance; all services are free.
Expressive Writing Workshop for Youth
A Poet on Whidbey Presents
Expressive Writing Workshop
Come learn how to express yourself through the power of the written word. Your youth will be guided on how to put thoughts and emotions on paper.
Expressive Writing Workshop for Youth
A Poet on Whidbey Presents
Expressive Writing Workshop
Come learn how to express yourself through the power of the written word. Your youth will be guided on how to put thoughts and emotions on paper.
Guiding Good Choices Workshop
Parenting teens can be hard to navigate. You are not alone!
Join this 5-week workshop for families with youth ages 9-14. Make connections with other families and learn essential skills:
Strengthening family bonds
Managing conflict
Increasing family involvement
Setting clear family guidelines
Guiding teens to make healthy decisions to avoid substance use.\
Every Tuesday from May 21st to June 18 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.
5:30 dinner and childcare included.
Free Open Fine Art Studio For Teens
Welcome to a FREE Teen Open Studio: Drawing and Painting from Observation, a free drop-in studio for students ages 13-18 designed to ignite creativity and hone artistic skills!
Materials will be provided.
In the new engaging studio environment at the Art Cafre in the South Whidbey Community Center, students will learn to explore the world using careful observation, capturing the reality, beauty, and essence of what they want to draw or paint. Students will learn how to ‘see’ and learn various techniques and mediums and how to translate their observations into art
From still-life compositions to outdoor sketching sessions, participants will sharpen their observational skills while experimenting with drawing and painting.
Led by experienced instructors, Art Cafe /Teen Open Studio encourages art education in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Whether you are a budding artist or simply curious about the world of art, this offers a welcoming space for teens to learn the fundamentals of becoming a successful artist, or just have fun.
Key topics may include:
Observation Skills Development
Drawing and Sketching Techniques and Skills: Explore various drawing methods and mark-making approaches to capture form, texture, and detail.
Painting from Life: Experiment with color mixing, brushwork, and composition while painting from observation.
Still Life Studies: Arrange and depict everyday objects to understand light, shadow, and spatial relationships.
Outdoor Sketching: Venture outdoors to sketch landscapes, architecture, and people.
Plus, Painting and Drawing from a Live Model!
Art from Observation expands artistic skills, builds confidence in observing and interpreting the world visually, and produces a portfolio of artworks to be proud of.
Questions
Email: Cary Jurriaans: info@whidbeyislandfas.com or caryjur@gmail.com
Guiding Good Choices Workshop
Parenting teens can be hard to navigate. You are not alone!
Join this 5-week workshop for families with youth ages 9-14. Make connections with other families and learn essential skills:
Strengthening family bonds
Managing conflict
Increasing family involvement
Setting clear family guidelines
Guiding teens to make healthy decisions to avoid substance use.\
Every Tuesday from May 21st to June 18 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.
5:30 dinner and childcare included.
Free Open Fine Art Studio For Teens
Welcome to a FREE Teen Open Studio: Drawing and Painting from Observation, a free drop-in studio for students ages 13-18 designed to ignite creativity and hone artistic skills!
Materials will be provided.
In the new engaging studio environment at the Art Cafre in the South Whidbey Community Center, students will learn to explore the world using careful observation, capturing the reality, beauty, and essence of what they want to draw or paint. Students will learn how to ‘see’ and learn various techniques and mediums and how to translate their observations into art
From still-life compositions to outdoor sketching sessions, participants will sharpen their observational skills while experimenting with drawing and painting.
Led by experienced instructors, Art Cafe /Teen Open Studio encourages art education in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Whether you are a budding artist or simply curious about the world of art, this offers a welcoming space for teens to learn the fundamentals of becoming a successful artist, or just have fun.
Key topics may include:
Observation Skills Development
Drawing and Sketching Techniques and Skills: Explore various drawing methods and mark-making approaches to capture form, texture, and detail.
Painting from Life: Experiment with color mixing, brushwork, and composition while painting from observation.
Still Life Studies: Arrange and depict everyday objects to understand light, shadow, and spatial relationships.
Outdoor Sketching: Venture outdoors to sketch landscapes, architecture, and people.
Plus, Painting and Drawing from a Live Model!
Art from Observation expands artistic skills, builds confidence in observing and interpreting the world visually, and produces a portfolio of artworks to be proud of.
Questions
Email: Cary Jurriaans: info@whidbeyislandfas.com or caryjur@gmail.com
Guiding Good Choices Workshop
Parenting teens can be hard to navigate. You are not alone!
Join this 5-week workshop for families with youth ages 9-14. Make connections with other families and learn essential skills:
Strengthening family bonds
Managing conflict
Increasing family involvement
Setting clear family guidelines
Guiding teens to make healthy decisions to avoid substance use.\
Every Tuesday from May 21st to June 18 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.
5:30 dinner and childcare included.
Free Open Fine Art Studio For Teens
Welcome to a FREE Teen Open Studio: Drawing and Painting from Observation, a free drop-in studio for students ages 13-18 designed to ignite creativity and hone artistic skills!
Materials will be provided.
In the new engaging studio environment at the Art Cafre in the South Whidbey Community Center, students will learn to explore the world using careful observation, capturing the reality, beauty, and essence of what they want to draw or paint. Students will learn how to ‘see’ and learn various techniques and mediums and how to translate their observations into art
From still-life compositions to outdoor sketching sessions, participants will sharpen their observational skills while experimenting with drawing and painting.
Led by experienced instructors, Art Cafe /Teen Open Studio encourages art education in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Whether you are a budding artist or simply curious about the world of art, this offers a welcoming space for teens to learn the fundamentals of becoming a successful artist, or just have fun.
Key topics may include:
Observation Skills Development
Drawing and Sketching Techniques and Skills: Explore various drawing methods and mark-making approaches to capture form, texture, and detail.
Painting from Life: Experiment with color mixing, brushwork, and composition while painting from observation.
Still Life Studies: Arrange and depict everyday objects to understand light, shadow, and spatial relationships.
Outdoor Sketching: Venture outdoors to sketch landscapes, architecture, and people.
Plus, Painting and Drawing from a Live Model!
Art from Observation expands artistic skills, builds confidence in observing and interpreting the world visually, and produces a portfolio of artworks to be proud of.
Questions
Email: Cary Jurriaans: info@whidbeyislandfas.com or caryjur@gmail.com
Free Open Fine Art Studio For Teens
Welcome to a FREE Teen Open Studio: Drawing and Painting from Observation, a free drop-in studio for students ages 13-18 designed to ignite creativity and hone artistic skills!
Materials will be provided.
In the new engaging studio environment at the Art Cafre in the South Whidbey Community Center, students will learn to explore the world using careful observation, capturing the reality, beauty, and essence of what they want to draw or paint. Students will learn how to ‘see’ and learn various techniques and mediums and how to translate their observations into art
From still-life compositions to outdoor sketching sessions, participants will sharpen their observational skills while experimenting with drawing and painting.
Led by experienced instructors, Art Cafe /Teen Open Studio encourages art education in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Whether you are a budding artist or simply curious about the world of art, this offers a welcoming space for teens to learn the fundamentals of becoming a successful artist, or just have fun.
Key topics may include:
Observation Skills Development
Drawing and Sketching Techniques and Skills: Explore various drawing methods and mark-making approaches to capture form, texture, and detail.
Painting from Life: Experiment with color mixing, brushwork, and composition while painting from observation.
Still Life Studies: Arrange and depict everyday objects to understand light, shadow, and spatial relationships.
Outdoor Sketching: Venture outdoors to sketch landscapes, architecture, and people.
Plus, Painting and Drawing from a Live Model!
Art from Observation expands artistic skills, builds confidence in observing and interpreting the world visually, and produces a portfolio of artworks to be proud of.
Questions
Email: Cary Jurriaans: info@whidbeyislandfas.com or caryjur@gmail.com
Free Open Fine Art Studio For Teens
Welcome to a FREE Teen Open Studio: Drawing and Painting from Observation, a free drop-in studio for students ages 13-18 designed to ignite creativity and hone artistic skills!
Materials will be provided.
In the new engaging studio environment at the Art Cafre in the South Whidbey Community Center, students will learn to explore the world using careful observation, capturing the reality, beauty, and essence of what they want to draw or paint. Students will learn how to ‘see’ and learn various techniques and mediums and how to translate their observations into art
From still-life compositions to outdoor sketching sessions, participants will sharpen their observational skills while experimenting with drawing and painting.
Led by experienced instructors, Art Cafe /Teen Open Studio encourages art education in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Whether you are a budding artist or simply curious about the world of art, this offers a welcoming space for teens to learn the fundamentals of becoming a successful artist, or just have fun.
Key topics may include:
Observation Skills Development
Drawing and Sketching Techniques and Skills: Explore various drawing methods and mark-making approaches to capture form, texture, and detail.
Painting from Life: Experiment with color mixing, brushwork, and composition while painting from observation.
Still Life Studies: Arrange and depict everyday objects to understand light, shadow, and spatial relationships.
Outdoor Sketching: Venture outdoors to sketch landscapes, architecture, and people.
Plus, Painting and Drawing from a Live Model!
Art from Observation expands artistic skills, builds confidence in observing and interpreting the world visually, and produces a portfolio of artworks to be proud of.
Questions
Email: Cary Jurriaans: info@whidbeyislandfas.com or caryjur@gmail.com
Safety and Wellness Fair
Join South Whidbey Community Center, Whidbey Veterans Resource Center, and SW Cares for a day of community!
Bring your unused or expired prescriptions or medications to the Safety and Wellness Fair for safe disposal. NO LIQUIDS OR NEEDLES
There will be fun activities, plus Critters and Co., along with South Whidbey Fire and EMS and Langley Police Department in attendance.
Together We Create: Celebrating Youth + Art
Please join Readiness To Learn at the grand opening of Uprise Gallery and the inaugural show, “Together We Create: Celebrating Youth + Art”
Let’s celebrate the opening of the beautifully curated Uprise Gallery and our inaugural show. All are invited!
“We Create Together: Celebrating Youth + Art” features paintings created outdoors at South Whidbey Community Center by local youth during the pandemic, along with their statements describing what it was like to make art during that challenging, isolated time.
Refreshments will be served.
We can’t wait to see you! Uprise Gallery is brought to you by a collaboration between Readiness To Learn, South Whidbey Community Center, Langley Arts Fund, Langley Creates, Campus Stewards, and Woodhaven High School.
Public. All ages.
While an RSVP is not required, please help us capture an accurate count of attendees by RSVPing below. We will send you a reminder email the week of the event. Happy Spring!
Attendees can fill out a survey to share their thoughts at the event.
Art with a Message
You’re invited to participate in Goosefoot’s annual High School Art Show, “Art with a Message,” which showcases teens’ responses to the world around them on Whidbey Island. CALL FOR ART: DUE APRIL 16th, 2024
Earth Day Art Making
Earth Day Art Making
All ages are invited to this art-making workshop with artist Joan Green from Green Art Labs. We'll make art to celebrate the Earth by creating with reusable materials. We'll open our creator’s “salad bar” of colorful, interesting, and open-ended materials, and you can get creative!
This also marks the official opening of the Art Cafe made available through South Whidbey Community Center and Whidbey Fine Arts Studio!
All ages and families are encouraged!
Donations welcome.