special events

Family Night

Planet 51

American astronaut Captain Charles "Chuck" Baker lands on Planet 51 thinking he's the first person to step foot on it. To his surprise, he finds that this planet is inhabited by little green people who are happily living in a white picket fence world, and whose only fear is that it will be overrun by alien invaders...like Chuck! Rated PG for mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor.

Join your neighbors and meet new friends for dinner, a craft and the newest family movies on our Big Screen at Family Night every 2nd Friday. Now serving Frankie’s Pizza, salad, and dessert. What a great deal! Snacks are also available for sale. Mats are available for the kids to lie on the floor. We encourage children to wear their PJs and bring their blankets, pillows, beanbag chairs and/or sleeping bags.

Age Requirement: For families with children.

For more program information email Cindy or call 425-432-1272.

Family Night is funded in part by generous grants from the Maple Valley Black Diamond Rotary Club, Frankie's Pizza and Maple Valley Signs.

Preschool Fair

Looking for a preschool, but don’t know where to start?

Plan to attend our annual preschool fair and meet with representatives from local schools who will answer all of your questions. A directory (PDF 598 KB) of participating programs will be available. Fun, hands-on activities are provided for children.

Preschool Directors: Please complete and return the 2010 Preschool Fair Registration (PDF 87 KB) form to register your preschool. Application must be filled out and emailed to Cindy. Vendors must pre-register to reserve space.

For more program information email Cindy or call 425-432-1272.

Community Egg Hunt

Hunt eggs in the wilderness

Join the fun at Lake Wilderness Park for our 14th annual Community Egg Hunt. Meet GMVCC’s Spring Bunny and Sparky from Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety. And parents, don't forget to visit the King County Sheriff’s booth where your child can join the “My ID Club”. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned food item to donate to the Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services. Donations of new or gently used children’s books will also be accepted for GMVCC’s annual Peanut Butter Jelly & Books summer outreach program.

PLEASE RECYCLE and DONATE YOUR PLASTIC EGGS AT EVENT or COMMUNITY CENTER!

Age Requirement: Toddlers (walking) through Grade 3.

For more program information email Cindy or call 425-432-1272.

Maple Valley Black Diamond

Tina McDonough

GMVCC’s Community Egg Hunt is funded in part by the generous support of the following people and organizations: My ID Club Sponsor Tina McDonough of Maple Valley Windermere; Maple Valley Girl Scout Troops who so generously donated their time to stuff over 16,000 eggs; Maple Valley Black Diamond Rotary Club Foundation; Wilderness Village Plaza (Jim Flynn); Maple Valley Black Diamond VFW; Professional Fire Fighters; Volunteer Fire Fighters; the City of Maple Valley for allowing us to use Lake Wilderness Park; Covington Costco for their donation of a gift card to purchase egg hunt treats; Motorplex Protow, Safeway and BECU for advertising this event; and John Moore of Innovative Images Photography for the beautiful pictures he captured of the event.

Clothing Exchange

The Ultimate Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Event

Celebrate Earth Day with us this April 22nd at our annual clothing exchange. Birth to children's size 18 clothing, shoes and accessories are needed. Maternity and nursing clothes and baby equipment are also welcomed. Items remaining after the event will be donated to charity.

This is how it works! At 5:30 pm we will have tables set up from newborn to size 16/18. Bring in your clean and gently worn clothes and shoes and set them out on the correct size table. If we get enough volunteers, we'll be able to set them out for you. Then go shop from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the other tables for the sizes/styles you want. It's that easy. It is FREE! No money exchanges hands. If you are interested in donating only, the day of the event, you can get a tax receipt for your donations. Clothes must be clean and gently worn to be donated. This is a really fun event. It only happens once a year! Visit our Photo Gallery.

For more information view our Clothing Exchange (English+Spanish) flyer (PDF 226 KB) or email Volunteer Coordinator Kim Chan or GMVCC Children & Family Program Coordinator Cindy or call the Community Center at 425-432-1272.

Trick or Trucks

A safe and fun family alternative to traditional trick-or-treating!

Just imagine being four years old again and pretending you are driving a real size dump truck! And to make it even more exciting, the actual dump truck driver gives you candy! What could be better?

On October 31st, Halloween day, the GMVCC Children and Family Program will host our annual “TRICK OR TRUCKS” event! The “big rigs” that children see everyday in their community are parked on our lot for this one special night and children are allowed safely climb, sit on, and explore the vehicles and do their trick-or-treating at the same time. Don't forget to wear your costume and join us for all the fun and a special Halloween spaghetti dinner! Browse our 2009 Trick or Trucks Photo Gallery on Flickr for pictures.

BIG TRUCKS NEEDED!
If you would like to participate with your big truck, please email Cindy or call 425-432-1272. Garbage trucks, tow trucks, excavators, backhoes, tractors, buses, street sweepers, YOU NAME IT! 

Age Requirement: Families with children. For more information email Cindy or call 425-432-1272.

Kids Creations

Holiday Lights at the Lodge

What could be more fun than having more than a dozen crafts to choose from? No trips to the store, lengthy preparations or messy clean up! We do all that for you. Crafts are designed to be made as gifts or holiday decorations.

Age Requirement: 2 ½ to 11 years.

No pre-registration required.

For more program information email Cindy or call the Maple Valley Community Center at 425-432-1272.

Winter Kids Creations is sponsored by and presented in partnership with the City of Maple Valley Parks & Recreation and the annual Holiday Lights at the Lodge celebration. Join us as we celebrate the season with our traditional community tree lighting ceremony, Kids Creations crafts and refreshments.

Cooking Classes

Creative Kids Cooking 101

Create healthy, delicious and kid-friendly meals that the whole family will enjoy.  We will be making breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers and snacks together.  The best part will be tasting our meals and re-creating them at home with recipes for everyone. Who knows...you just might get a night or two away from the kitchen this summer!

Age Requirement: 4 - 9 years. Call 425-432-1272 to pre-register.

For more information email Brandy or call 425-432-1272.

Safe Sitter® Parents' Night Out

Need a night out without the kids?

Bring them to the Community Center for Parents’ Night Out! Fun activities include movies, pizza dinner, snacks, games, and arts & crafts. Childcare is provided by GMVCC Children & Family program staff and our own Safe Sitter® graduates. Our first event was a huge success. Watch for more dates to be added throughout the year. Register early! Minimum 10 children required or event will be cancelled.

Age Requirement: For children ages 3 through 9 years. All children MUST be potty trained.

For more program information email Cindy or call 425-432-1272.