FEATURE

PNW Inside + Out

An all-seasons A–Z insiders’ guide to epic Seattle-area family fun

By Elisa Murray

The adventurous editors of ParentMap contributed to this article.

Unfold a map of the Puget Sound region and in every direction, you’ll find tiny, tantalizing destinations that offer relaxed fun for families — with the occasional thrill thrown in for good measure. Though our movements at the present time are necessarily limited to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we hope you’ll refer to our evergreen dictionary of great daycations and staycations for every season when and as it is safe to venture out.

Editor’s note: Just prior to the time of publication, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of 25 proclamations in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Suggested activities and outings in this seasonal guide to the Pacific Northwest may not be fully accessible or advisable until such time as the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. We encourage you to check online for the current operating or access status of any destination before venturing out. When you do head out, keep your distance, wear a face covering and abide by all health advisories. For more guidance, check out the state’s “Safe Start” reopening plan at coronavirus.wa.gov.

The Spring Fling List: Nearby day trips and getaways for cooped-up kids

Do you hear that thrumming sound? That just might be the open road calling you! We hope that by spring 2021, you can gas up the family rig and pick any one of these day-trip destinations for a much-needed — and safe — change of pace and scenery.

Anacortes: This historic ferry town isn’t just a stop on the way to the San Juan Islands. Soak in views at Washington Park; visit the W.T. Preston, a stern-wheeler snag boat that used to run on the Skagit River; and enjoy not getting on a ferry. Stop at the stunning Deception Pass Bridge on the way there or back. anacortes.org

Bellingham: Explore cool STEM museums, such as the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention (sparkmuseum.org) and Mindport Exhibits (mindport.org); walk the boardwalk over Bellingham Bay; and ride mountain bikes at Larrabee State Park. Then claim your reward — a cone at one of the best ice creameries in Washington state: Mallard (mallardicecream.com). parentmap.com/bellingham

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continued from page 9 Camano Island: Another “island” you can drive to, Camano’s star stop is Cama Beach Historical State Park, once a family resort, which rents out rustic cabins all year (book early). While away more beach hours at Cavalero Beach County Park or Camano Island State Park. parentmap.com/camano

Camlann Medieval Village: The year is 1376. The town is Somersetshire, ancient realm of King Arthur. During a festival weekend, which are held from May through September, you can enthrall your kids with a visit to this living-history project near Carnation. Listen to minstrels, watch knightly combat, learn archery, visit the forge and eat medieval delicacies. camlann.org

Duvall: The starting point of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, Duvall has attained a rural yet artsy vibe — look for murals, metal art and totem poles — without feeling too upscale. Fuel up on woodfired pizza from Red Pepper Pizzeria & Pasta (redpepperpizzeria.com), browse antique stores and have a rail-trail bike adventure. parentmap.com/duvall

Gig Harbor: Stunning scenery, awesome parks and free museums: Those are just a few of the attractions you’ll find in this South Sound town, just over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Peep at

Don’t miss out on Duvall’s biggest summer draw, the SandBlast Festival, (duvallarts.org), a destination in its own right. Held every year in July (though the event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19), the festival showcases an international sand sculptor creating a work in real time, as well as live music and an arts fair.

our perfect day-trip itinerary at parentmap.com/ gigharbor.

Harstine Island: Drive over the bridge to Harstine, located in south Puget Sound, and you’ll be transported back to a simpler time. Hike and beachcomb at Harstine Island State Park and Jarrell Cove State Park. Make a reservation to visit the Wild Felid Advocacy Center (wildfelids.org), an unusual sanctuary for big cats.

Mima Mounds: Are your kids into geology and mystery? Take them to the strange and beautiful Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve, a wonder of the South Sound area. Encompassing more than 600 acres of extremely rare prairie habitat, the preserve features 6- to 8-foot-high mounds that dot the landscape like oversize molehills. Visit in late spring to walk the stroller-accessible interpretive trails and enjoy the wildflowers in bloom, or in summer to spot butterflies. dnr.wa.gov/ mimamounds

Northwest Trek: Located in Eatonville, about 60 miles south of Seattle, Northwest Trek (nwtrek.org) is an animal park known for its open spaces where native Northwest animals roam free in their natural habitat. Resident critters include bison, mountain goats, Roosevelt elk, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep and deer. While the excellent tram tour and the Kids’ Trek playground (one of the most adventurous romps in the Puget Sound area) were closed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 this spring, the park has debuted two new unique experiences, Wild Walk and Wild Drive, to restore access to the park for families. parentmap.com/wild-drive

Port Townsend: Grown-up pleasures in PT are many — the views and the Victorian homes, to name two. But the surefire hook for kids is that you can actually lock yourself in an old-time jail at the Jefferson Museum of Art and History (jchsmuseum.org), housed in the former city hall. Don’t miss a jaunt around Fort Worden State Park (parks.state.wa.us), a former military base that is home to abandoned bunkers, a plethora of well-kept walking paths, a field that’s fabulous for flying kites, a lower beach complete with a Marine Science Center (ptmsc.org), plus the picturesque Point Wilson Lighthouse. parentmap.com/port-townsend

From Physics to Philosophy!

Every summer, parents seek programs that are fun and meaningful learning experiences for their children. The UW Robinson Center for Young Scholars offers a variety of math, science, literature, philosophy, and writing classes for children in grades 5-10. Our academic programs provide an intensive, inspirational and in-depth learning experience that is renowned in the region. Classes are small, with faculty who are experienced teachers and specialists in their fi eld. The program takes place in classrooms throughout the University of Washington Seattle campus.

SUMMER CHALLENGE

In Summer Challenge, children explore a variety of adventurous topics such as the physics of roller coasters, astronomy, architecture, and creative writing. The supportive collaborative learning environment is one that children remember for a lifetime. Summer Challenge (5th – 6th grade) emphasizes hands-on learning, fi eld trips, and activities. Its goal is to provide motivated students with an intensive, hands-on, fun educational experience in areas outside of the traditional school curriculum.

The program runs from July 6th – 24th, fi ve days a week from 9:00AM – 2:20PM. There is also an After-Class program available from 2:20 - 4:30PM. There will be some homework, because of the breadth and depth of material covered. Registration opens February 9th at 4:00 pm.

SUMMER STRETCH

Summer Stretch (7th – 10th grade) is more academic in nature, providing an accelerated, rigorous learning experience. The Summer Stretch program is characterized by high-level thinking, intellectual adventure, and pursuit of understanding. The program offers both condensed self-paced courses (e.g. Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Precalculus, Chemistry) and courses for enrichment (e.g. American Literature, Debate, Physics of Robotics). What all of these courses provide is an in-depth, intensive learning experience. The program runs from June 29th – July 30th, three days a week from 9:00AM - 2:20PM. Students must be committed to a substantial homework load; courses are graded and fi nal transcripts are provided. Registration opens February 2nd at 4:00 pm.

RC ONLINE

RC Online (9th – 12th grade) is a new accelerated learning opportunity, bringing advanced college-prep curriculum to an online platform for high school students. RC Online provides an inspiring, expansive educational experience as a window into what college-level work will be like; to move students rapidly from novice to advanced writers, readers and thinkers via specifi c skills, practices and tools. These courses provide challenging curriculum without the logistical, economic and other barriers that come between a student and educational opportunity. Additional information can be found on our website.

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continued from page 11 Poulsbo: Where else can you find a 12-foot-tall Viking, a giant octopus sculpture and enormous doughnuts? Celebrate our region’s Scandinavian heritage with a trip to this Kitsap town, which is often called “Little Norway.” Touch sea stars at the free aquarium (the SEA Discovery Center; sea.wwu.edu), stroll the waterfront park and eat doughnuts or lefse at Sluys Poulsbo Bakery (sluyspoulsbobakery.com).

Roslyn: Once upon a coal mine, this town was booming. Next time you visit Suncadia, detour through Roslyn to see artifacts from the glory days when coal from these mines powered steam engines that crossed the Cascades (Roslyn Historical Museum; roslynmuseum.com). Grab coffee at the café made famous by the TV series “Northern Exposure” and walk along the Coal Mines Trail. Amble through the old cemetery, which has a larger population than the town and is divided by ethnic background.

Skagit Valley: Tiptoe through the tulips! Head north to behold acres of stunning flower fields at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (tulipfestival.org).

Snohomish: Want to pick pumpkins and apples at the same farm? Need a vintage typewriter or a 1950s-era school desk? Have a hankering for a slice of fresh, award-winning seasonal pie? Check, check and check: This historic town has got you covered. parentmap.com/snohomish

Tacoma: The “dusty old jewel in the south Puget Sound,” as singer-songwriter Neko Case puts it, is less gritty than it used to be and even more family-friendly. Race pinewood derby cars at LeMay – America’s Car Museum (americascarmuseum.org). Bike along Ruston Way before heading to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (pdza.org) to gawk at red wolves, walruses and sharks.

KITSAP WITH KIDS: 5 Charming Towns to Explore Have you ever been on the ferry to Bainbridge Island or Kingston and wondered what lies within the green coves and inlets in the distance? It turns out there’s a treasure trove of historic towns dotting the meandering shoreline. Consult ParentMap contributor Jennifer Kakutani’s terrific guide to the Kitsap Peninsula to plan your day trip to gaze at a historic lighthouse, visit Chief Sealth’s gravesite, and behold the world’s largest private collection of seashells and so many more wonders. parentmap.com/kitsap

Westport: Get a taste of Washington’s coast (without driving forever) in Westport (westportwa.com). Climb to the top of an observation tower or Washington state’s tallest lighthouse. Stop for fish and chips, fly a kite, dig up a clam or two and watch surfers chase waves.

Whidbey Island: This long, skinny island is home to stunning beaches and parks (Deception Pass State Park is a must), a lighthouse, military forts, charming towns and farm stands. There’s also the Blue Fox Drive-In Theater (bluefoxdrivein.com), an actual drive-in movie theater that also offers go-karts and an arcade. parentmap.com/whidbey

The Summer Bucket List: Bookmark these perennially sweet pastimes

Many of the best amusements for families in the Puget Sound area are free — at least in the summer: beaches, spray parks, wading pools, wildflowers, natural waterslides, lighthouses, animal experiences, parks and playgrounds, and more. We especially love free programs that are big on fun and community building.

Amazing playground adventures: Rain or shine, expand your playground circuit to include some of the best new playgrounds opened within the past year or two. You’ll find all the playful details at parentmap.com/best-new-playgrounds.

Book it: Summer reading programs at libraries are always the best summer deal in town. Discover a stunning multitude of services offered by our local library systems, which are always fostering a love of reading in every family, at parentmap.com/summer-reading.

Farmers market fun: Local farmers markets double as a source of fresh entertainment for the whole family. Check out our list of neighborhood markets that make for ideal family-friendly foraging. parentmap.com/farmers

Hike and seek: Hunt for treasure, starting with geocaching (parentmap.com/geocaching). Low-tech options include letterboxing (parentmap.com/letterboxing) or hiding and finding kindness rocks (parentmap.com/rocks).

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continued from page 13 Hike and slide: You want to hike, they want to (water) slide. Combine those two activities by taking a ramble down the trail to Denny Creek’s natural slides (take exit 47 off Interstate 90, then hike 1 mile to the falls), where families can whoop it up on hot days. Find water safety tips and scads more kid-friendly waterfall hikes at parentmap.com/waterfall.

Hit the beach: Puget Sound’s rocky shores teem with crawly critters and thriving tide pools, but when summer arrives, you want to sink your toes into some sand. Trade in your boots for flip-flops and head to Jetty Island (parentmap.com/jetty), a 2-mile kids’ paradise of sand, sun and warm water. Discover more great places to hit the beach at parentmap.com/beaches.

Play streets: Did you know that jaywalking in Seattle is now authorized? Well, at least it is in select areas where Seattle and Bellevue have closed the streets to cars — specifically for family recreation. If you’re in Seattle, it’s a simple process to get a free permit to regularly close down your street to create your own neighborhood “play street.” Find out how at parentmap.com/playstreet.

Row, sail, paddle your boat: Take advantage of our waterlogged wonderland. Boating spots such as the University of Washington’s Waterfront Activities Center (washington.edu), The Center for Wooden Boats (cwb. org), Foss Harbor Marina in Tacoma (fossharbormarina.com), Issaquah Paddle Sports at Lake Sammamish (issaquahpaddlesports.com) and REI Boathouse locations on the Eastside (rei.com) offer affordable rentals.

Sleep under the stars: Sleeping outside sounds pretty nice on hot summer nights. No reservation? No problem! Check out our guide to first come, first-served campgrounds at parentmap.com/camp-on-the-fly.

Spy sea creatures: Washington beaches are brimming with life. Join a beach naturalist to discover and identify the fascinating critters and plant life that a low tide reveals. parentmap.com/low-tide

Swimming: We’ve missed visiting many of our go-to places for a refreshing splash with kids in 2020: outdoor pools, spray parks and wading pools. Thanks, pandemic! But we still have a plethora of lake options (and Puget Sound, if you have the constitution of a polar bear). Check out our roundup of favorite lake beaches (parentmap.com/great-lakes) and swimming holes (parentmap.com/ swimming-holes) for your crew.

Taste summer: Add a tasty fistful of summer to your pancakes, smoothies and bowls of cereal with delicious, sun-kissed berries, ripe for the How Do You Like Them Apples? Want to pick apples but don’t want to make the trek all the way to eastern Washington to do it? Check out our list of orchards that are closer to home, making for a perfect apple-picking day trip. parentmap.com/apples

picking. Find a farm near you for a good old-fashioned family harvest in our guide to U-pick farms around the sound. parentmap.com/berries

Urban hikes: You don’t have to escape to the forest to find great walks. Explore new corners of the city by following a designated trail, such as the Cheshiahud loop trail around Lake Union (parentmap.com/cheshiahud), or by blazing your own trail. (Psst! We also have a great list of secret urban wanders that are perfect starter hikes for little kids; visit parentmap.com/secret-hikes.)

Wenatchee: A nearby destination that has 300 days of sun a year and attractions ranging from quiet bike trails and apple picking to family-friendly skiing stands out. Plan your family getaway with our all-seasons guide to the wonders of Wenatchee. parentmap.com/wenatchee

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The Fall Play List: Rainy-Day Recess Where to go when you can’t get outside

The Seattle metropolitan area experiences an average of 152 rainy days a year. Drizzle, of course, doesn’t stop us (right?), but there are those days when it’s just too wet or windy to get outside. Here’s a field guide to the great indoors with kids.

Aquariums: Explore tidal life and ogle octopuses at the Seattle Aquarium (seattleaquarium.org); or spy on sharks in the underwater tunnel of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Pacific Seas Aquarium exhibit (parentmap.com/pacific-seas). Poulsbo’s SEA Discovery Center (parentmap.com/poulsbo) and the MaST Center aquarium (mast.highline.edu) in Des Moines are free aquariums with plenty to see.

Bounce, wiggle and jump: Check out epic jumping spots, such as the 53,000-square-foot Defy Seattle (defy.com) in Tukwila or Arena Sports’ (arenasports.net) gigantic facility in Mill Creek.

Find Your Village

In any season, hanging with young kids can be isolating. Find yourself a meet-up group, whether it meets in person or virtually: In addition to PEPS (peps.org), which is focused on connecting new parents, check out resources such as Families of Color Seattle (focseattle.org) or MOPS International (mops.org), or form your own group with the help of your community Facebook group or a listserv.

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continued from page 15 For the younger set, providers such as The Little Gym (thelittlegym.com) have adapted programming to continue to provide opportunities for littles to get their wiggles out. Find dozens more rainy-day recess options at parentmap.com/indoor-recess.

Community centers: More than 20 Seattle-area community centers (seattle.gov) offer free drop-in play sessions designed for kids ages 5 and younger, complete with balls, trikes, scooters, push bikes and other entertainment. Many other regional community centers offer indoor play of all kinds for kids of all ages.

Drop-in child care: Drop and shop (or work) at centers such as The Inc. (theinccoworking.org) in Seattle, The Nest (thenestkids.com) in Woodinville or Adventure Kids Playcare

(web.adventurekidsplaycare.com) in Bellevue and Issaquah. Athletic clubs can also be a great source of rea

Nailed It! Home Depot’s free kids workshops (homedepot.com) are the best bargain in town. The store provides all the materials and tools; kids take home a completed project, such as a picture frame or a bird feeder. sonably priced child care for an hour or two. Explore available options at parentmap.com/childcare.

Get crafty at home: The COVID-19 pandemic motivated many local businesses to offer DIY take-home kits of their projects. Creative and crafty kids and their adults can paint pottery at home, finger-knit a chunky blanket, plant a succulent terrarium, design glass art, learn to cook and so much more. parentmap.com/kits

Get your game on: Unplug with board games at spots like Blue Highway Games (bluehighwaygames.com) on Queen Anne and Meeples Games (meeplesgames.com) in West Seattle. Other hot spots include Uncle’s Games (unclesgames.com), with locations in Bellevue and Redmond; and Mox Boarding House (moxboardinghouse.com) in Ballard and Bellevue.

Indoor skate parks: All Together Skatepark (alltogetherskatepark.com) in Fremont and Bellevue Indoor Skate Park (bellevuewa.gov) help kids learn how to shred all year long.

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn: During these free play sessions at multiple locations around Puget Sound, kids can take part in early-learning-focused play activities while you meet new friends and hear about support programs in your neighborhood. Search for area-specific sessions and other resources at childcare.org. Nature centers: Beautifully designed

Keep calm and tinker on: Many local reuse centers — such as Seattle ReCreative (seattlerecreative.org) and Tacoma’s Tinkertopia (tinkertopia.com) — offer drop-in sessions and materials that are perfect for preschoolers and older kids. Learn science, technology, engifor encouraging your child’s

neering, arts and math skills through online and in-person events at King County Library System’s brilliant IdeaX Makerspace (kcls.org/makerspaces). Set up your own makerspace at home with the great tips found at parentmap.com/makerspace.

Libraries: Story times, audiobooks, classes, homework help, science kits, digital downloads, personal recomthe scads of amazing services available to families at Puget Sound–area library systems, both in person and online. Check out (ha!) our A-to-Z list of awesome free stuff and services available for families at our public libraries at parentmap.com/library-love.

Museums: Kids’ museums are no-brainer rainy-day havens for high-energy, interactive play, but museums of the history, art and science varieties also boast cool kid attractions. Consult our list of fantastic area children’s museums (parentmap.com/ childrens-museums).

environmental centers, such as those at Bellevue’s Lewis Creek Park, the Cedar River Watershed and Mercer Slough as well as the Tacoma Nature Center, are often empty midweek and have space for kids to play and learn. parentmap.com/nature-centers.

Pet stores: Never underestimate the allure of an hour spent at Petco watching the fish, ferrets and dwarf hamsters. Just be prepared to say no to expanding your critter collection! From cat cafés to farm classes to fostering, we’ve got 10 great ideas mendations — these are only some of

connection to and love for animals — without resorting to getting an actual pet — at parentmap.com/no-pet.

Playful cafés: Finding a café or lowkey restaurant with solid espresso

All You Need Is a Library Card! We all know library systems offer a ton of online media for families (and grown-ups), but take some time to really dig in. Fair warning: You may not emerge for a few days! Through services such as Hoopla (hoopladigital.com), Kanopy (kanopy.com) and OverDrive (overdrive.com), families can access literally hundreds of movies, TV shows, documentaries, newsreels, e-books, audiobooks, magazines, comics and much more.

Every Body’s Circus for Kids ParentMap readers know that big-top fun is close at hand at SANCA – School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts, located in South Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. At SANCA, kids of all ages (including adults) learn that seemingly impossible tasks are possible with practice. parentmap.com/circus

options, good snacks and a train table or play area is the holy grail for parents. Find a huge list of caffeine stops that include fringe benefits for kids at parentmap.com/cafes.

Tumble time: High-flying indoor playtime at spots such as Seattle Gymnastics Academy (seattlegymnastics.com) guarantees an epic nap later that day. Older kids may want to try parkour at classes offered by the likes of Parkour Visions (parkourvisions.org), MoveFree Academy (movefreeacademy.com), Kong Academy (kongacademy.org) and other organizations.

Zoos: Climb, jump and learn at Woodland Park Zoo’s Zoomazium (zoo.org/zoomazium); wander and wonder at Point Defiance Zoo’s Pacific Seas Aquarium (pdza.org). And don’t forget the gloriously warm Tropical Butterfly House at Pacific Science Center (pacificsciencecenter.org).

The Winter Wander List: Get Out and Do Good Easy ways to give back with kids in tow

Shake off the winter doldrums by starting a family volunteer habit that will last all year. In the process, you can help kids explore their interests, such as gardening, critters or cooking — and get involved in important social and environmental justice issues. Here’s a starter list.

Cheer up a senior: Connect with a local nursing home facility to see if you can drop off or mail letters or cards to the residents, or volunteer with a nonprofit such as North East Seattle Together (NEST; nestseattle.org/volunteer), which supports seniors aging in place. Create care kits: Buy basics in bulk for homeless people — energy bars, socks, hand wipes, lip balm — and get a group together to make care kits that can be handed out at street corners and bus stops.

Drive for good: Turn your car into a do-good-mobile — and your kids into your deputy do-gooders — by picking up and delivering donations for area organizations that help people who are homebound and in need. United Way King County maintains a list of a number of delivering volunteer opportunities at volunteer.uwkc.org/need.

Empower your teen: Older teens are eligible to volunteer independently for many types of causes, from animal care to trail building to radio work and more. Explore more ideas and orgs at parentmap.com/teenvolunteer.

Foster an animal: Apply to be a foster family through rescues such as Red

Waggin’ Rescue (redwagginrescue.org) or Seattle Feline Rescue (seattleareafelinerescue.org); you can also check with larger shelters such as Seattle Humane (seattlehumane.org).

Garden for good: Want to flex your family’s green thumb for a cause? Late winter is the perfect time to begin thinking about planting a giving garden or helping grow one in a local community garden. gardencomm.org/PAR

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Help the hungry: Kids and parents can work together to repackage bulk food at food banks and related nonprofits, such as Food Lifeline (foodlifeline.org), Northwest Harvest (northwestharvest.org) and the St. Leo Food Connection (foodconnection.org) in Tacoma.

Home-based help: With your kitchen table designated as your “Doing-good HQ,” you can write cards to veterans, sick children or seniors; decorate placemats, lunch bags or oven mitts; or assemble care packages for Meals on Wheels (meals-on-wheels.com).

Join a trail work party: If your kids enjoy hiking, join a Washington Trails Association (WTA; wta.org) work party to maintain trails in some of the most beautiful spots in the region.

Plant trees: It’s hard to beat the earthy pleasure of planting trees, doing battle with invasive plants or cleaning up a beach. Find events run by the likes of Mountains to Sound Greenway (mtsgreenway.org), the Nature Consortium (dnda.org/dndanature) and the Tacoma Nature Center (metroparkstacoma.org).

Volunteering resources: Online tools abound for helping you find a volunteer match for your family. Try Doing Good Together (doinggoodtogether.org/ family-volunteering-seattle); GenerationOn (generationon.org); Learning to Give (learningtogive.org), which offers simple and safe service projects you can do as a family from home; or DoSomething (dosomething.org), a particularly useful resource for older kids and teens. ■ Elisa Murray is a Seattle-based freelance writer and editor of the guidebook “52 Seattle Adventures With Kids” (parentmap.com/52adventures).

Learn, Volunteer and Give — Together

If you have funds to spare, one of the most effective ways to give back is to donate. Figure out how much your family can give and have your kids help research organizations and causes. Some places to start:

• Donate to the volunteer-run COVID-19 Survival Fund for the People; every dollar goes toward groceries, supplies and direct support for Seattle and King County residents in need. gofundme.com

• The Seattle Times maintains a comprehensive list of organizations helping those affected by the coronavirus. parentmap.com/TST-coronavirus

• Seattle Together maintains a list of many local causes, from a farmer fund to gratitude meals for first responders. seattletogether.org/#give

• Black Lives Matter. Support Black women running for office by donating to Black Women Lead WA (persistpacwa.org) and/or BLM protesters by donating to the BLM Seattle Freedom Fund (blacklivesseattle.org/bail-fund). Find more organizations at parentmap.com/anti-racism.

• You can also — often through Amazon Wish Lists — purchase goods for nonprofits such as YouthCare (youthcare.org), which works with youths experiencing homelessness but can no longer accept donations of used goods.

• Charity Navigator assesses more than 9,000 of America’s best-known and some lesser-known but worthy charities. charitynavigator.org

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