In a time when kids may be tempted to spend summer glued to their electronic devices, one youth program offers a dizzying range of hands-on activities and social opportunities, all free of charge.

Since 2022, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County has offered its DINO – short for “dabble in new opportunities” — program for youth ages 6 to 24. Supported by funding from the state legislature, DINO aims to improve mental health through fun activities while connecting kids, teens and young adults with mentors in the community.

“We want the youth in Island County to have fun and try new things and make those social connections and have the skills and resources to boost their mental health,” said Sarah Gannon, director of programs.

DINO is a component of countywide program SOAR, which stands for social outreach, adventure and resilience. It aims to support youth behavioral health outcomes in rural communities. Rep. Dave Paul has helped secure funds for SOAR, with some funneling into DINO. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County received $300,000 initially. An additional $94,000, received June 2023, will keep the program running through December 2025.

Paul said the continuation of SOAR, which will be receiving $400,000 soon in state funds from this year’s legislative session, is his top local legislative priority.

“I’m just really pleased to see how health care providers and mental health advocates, parents and students and community members are working together to improve these mental health outcomes,” he said.

Roughly 800 youth have signed up for the DINO program since its inception, with about 65% of them residing in Oak Harbor.

“And it’s ever-growing,” Community Health Worker Kanza McCauley said. “We continue to get more signups every week.”

Crocheting, soap stone carving and building birdhouses are just a sample of some of the unique hobbies kids can try out. Poets, musicians, cooks and puppies have all been part of the fun at some point.

Last month, during a “Touch-a-Truck” event, participants got the chance to meet first responders and get behind the wheel of a fire engine.

Other events offer a glimpse into the careers of pilots, ship captains, truck drivers and more. Executive Director Scott Jackson pointed out that some of these opportunities help youth explore the trades and blue collar jobs.

“If we can start that love early and really kind of guide them into finding a career path, that’s phenomenal,” he said.

An older cohort of youth – ages 18 to 24 – have been attending AquaSox baseball games in Everett and participating in horseback riding in Coupeville as part of the DINO program. Some were awarded scholarships to go to this year’s highly anticipated Whidbey Renaissance Faire.

In many situations, transportation is provided, especially in the case of an upcoming field trip that will take kids to the Langley Whale Center and South Whidbey State Park.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County partners with Sno-Isle Libraries, Island County schools, The Center of Oak Harbor and many others to provide memorable experiences for youth year-round with the DINO program.

Participants can sign up for individual activities after registering on the website, bbbsislandcounty.org/dino. The organization is currently seeking squad chaperones and the assistance of other adults to lead the herd, who can apply at the same link.

In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County is always looking for people willing to lead events or to tell youngsters about their careers.

Photo provided Whidbey Health EMS was available to talk about the day in a life of a paramedic to Coupeville Middle and High School youth at a recent Touch-a-Truck event.

Photo by Caitlyn Anderson William Griffith honks the horn of an E-ONE ARFF at the Touch-a-Truck event.

Photo by Caitlyn Anderson Siblings Lukas and Raelynn Walker stand next to a firetruck while Lukas tries on an oxygen tank at the Touch-a-Truck event.

Photo by Caitlyn Anderson Aiden Stevens plays with the track pedals and levers in a backhoe at the Touch-a-Truck event.

Photo by Caitlyn Anderson Navy firefighter Dakota Montoya lifts Oliver Brower out of an E-ONE ARFF at the Touch-a-Truck event.

Photo by Caitlyn Anderson Leo Hernandez practices CPR on an ambulance dummy at the Touch-a-Truck event.

Photo by Caitlyn Anderson Lukas Walker honks the horn on the Island Transit shuttle at the Touch-a-Truck event hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County on May 22.