Grade School Activity Nights (for Thurston County youth in grades 2 - 5) are held from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. These events include karaoke, board games, video games, arts & crafts activity, open gym basketball, snack and water, and an inflatable interactive game. 

Middle School Late Nights (for Tumwater youth in grades 6 - 8) are held from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Late Nights include DJ, open gym basketball, snack and water, and an inflatable interactive game. Students need to bring their school I.D.

For both events: The evening's snack (1 piece of pizza or nachos) and water are included in the $10 entrance fee.

At each TYP event, 4-6 City staff members are in attendance, as well as 20 to 30 trained volunteers spread throughout the event. Staff are First Aid and CPR certified. All volunteers complete an orientation and pass a criminal background check prior to volunteering.

Parents are encouraged to come to events and ask questions. However, for safety, all visitors (including parents) must be wanded, have their bags checked, sign the visitor’s book, and be escorted by a volunteer while inside the program. Youth are also wanded and their bags are checked.

Trained security officers are employed at every event to assist when needed. Staff display and adhere to a set of guidelines that help enforce our policies, in order to create the safest event possible.  

Grade School events: All students must be signed out prior to leaving the event.

Middle School events: Students must be signed out when leaving the event early. 

The Tumwater Youth Program (TYP) offers evening activities for youth in grades 2 - 8. The Parks and Recreation Department runs this program and over 4,000 youth participate throughout the school year. TYP also provides the Tumwater Trippin' teen camp, for ages 12 - 17, throughout the summer.

TYP grade school events are open to Thurston County youth in grades 2 - 5. TYP middle school events are open to Tumwater School District youth in grades 6 - 8. Both are held on Friday evenings. The fee for each event is $10, unless otherwise noted.

TYP’s goal is to provide a safe, fun, and positive environment for our community’s youth. This goal could not be met without the residents of Tumwater and their generous contributions of time and talent. For more information regarding the program or becoming a volunteer, contact the Parks and Recreation Department: (360) 754-4160.