Skookum Kids hosts community 'give back' scavenger hunt

Volunteers pose at the We Are Skookum after party on Sunday, April 27, 2019. (Photo by Hannah Blank)

BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON — Downtown Bellingham and Squalicum Harbor were filled with individuals wearing red superhero capes and participating in the first ever Skookum Kids’ “We Are Skookum” Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28.

Foster care nonprofit, Skookum Kids, partnered with the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce to host this give back event. The scavenger hunt and after party was free to the community thanks to a sponsorship by the Bank of the Pacific.

There were 178 people registered to compete in the hunt over both days. Teams won an assortment of prize baskets and gift certificates from participating businesses.

“What a fabulous and unique way to bring families out and around downtown to see some places they may not have otherwise visited,” said Christian Christensen, VP and Business Banking Officer at Bank of the Pacific.  “It was a great way to spend an afternoon — having fun, playing games, sharing food, and enjoying  the company of one another.  Events meant as just a pure ‘thank you’ are so important in strengthening the community’s ties to local organizations.”

Teams participating in the scavenger hunt visited businesses that had partnered with Skookum in the past. Thirty businesses came together to make the event possible.

“The scavenger hunt was successful enough that I had businesses who didn’t participate this year register for next year before the event had even ended,” LA Poehner, Skookum Kids event coordinator, said.

One hundred percent of the feedback received online after the event showed that teams and businesses wanted Skookum to host the event next year.

In order to receive a stamp to finish the hunt, teams participated in a variety of activities, including finding their favorite pair of socks at MOD Sock, solving a puzzle at the Eureka Room, and searching for a hidden item at the Bellingham Coin Shop.

Skookum Kids was founded in 2015 by Ray Deck III in Bellingham, Washington. This non-profit organization is dedicated to repairing the foster care system by equipping those already affected by the system and educating those who are not. It is staffed by 11 full-time and nine part-time employees and over 100 volunteers. For more information, visit their website at www.skookumkids.org.