Our family doesn’t always look the same from one day to the next.
Some days we have four kids, some days we have five, and some days we have six.
That’s the beauty—and the reality—of foster care.
No matter how long a child stays in your home, the memories you make together matter.
I grew up in a happy, safe, and stable family. Foster care wasn’t something I knew much about
as a child. It wasn’t until adulthood that I began to understand the realities many children face
and the challenges that come with entering foster care. Along the way, I’ve also learned how
important seemingly ordinary childhood experiences can be.
Growing up in North Idaho, Silverwood was a huge part of my childhood. Some of my favorite
memories were made there with friends and family—long days riding roller coasters (even when
my iPod flew out of my pocket on Tremors), picnic lunches with all my cousins, and laughing
until our cheeks hurt on the Tilt-A-Whirl, still my favorite ride. Those are memories I carry with
me today.
Because of that, I was incredibly excited to learn about Silverwood’s Fostering Family Fun
Program.
This program launched in 2023 and allows children in foster care to visit Silverwood for free one
time each year. It may seem like a simple opportunity, but for many children it’s so much more
than a day at an amusement park. It’s a chance to feel included, experience joy during a difficult
season, and create memories that last long after the rides are over.
As a foster parent myself, I still remember the first time I brought my foster children—who are
now my adopted children—to Silverwood.
At the time, I thought it was simply a fun summer outing. I remember keeping it a surprise and
telling the kids we were driving to go buy some spicy broccoli—two words they couldn’t stand
hearing together. Looking back now, I realize it became so much more than that.
What I didn’t realize then was that one day would become five years of memories.
We’ve gone back time and time again. We’ve celebrated birthdays there, laughed together,
challenged each other to ride bigger rides, and created traditions that continue today. What
started as a day at Silverwood during our foster care journey became the beginning of
memories we’ll carry as a forever family. My kids still say they’re excited to go get some “spicy
broccoli” whenever we make that drive to the park.
That’s why this program means so much to me.
Every child deserves the opportunity to experience childhood—moments of laughter, adventure,
and connection. Children in foster care have often experienced significant loss and uncertainty
in their lives. While a day at an amusement park doesn’t erase those hardships, it does provide
something incredibly valuable: the chance to simply be a kid.
One of the things I appreciate most about the Fostering Family Fun Program is how easy it is to
use.
- Foster parents can find information on Silverwood’s website under the “Contests & Fun”
section. - The child’s caseworker completes the referral form found online.
- Once the form is completed, the foster parent holds onto it until a visit date has been
selected. - At least two weeks before the planned visit, the foster parent submits the completed form
to Silverwood. - The child’s ticket will be waiting for pickup at the park on their visit day!
Family members accompanying the foster child—including foster parents and other children in
the home—can also purchase tickets at a discounted rate. The program is designed for foster
families to enjoy together, with children attending alongside their foster parent or caregiver.
Through this program, children in foster care across Idaho ages three through seventeen have
the opportunity to experience a day of fun at Silverwood. Children under age three already
receive free admission, allowing even the youngest members of foster families to join in the fun.
Beyond how simple the program is to access, what brings me the most joy is knowing how
many children it can impact. Right here in our community, there are 122 children in foster care.
Across Idaho, there are more than 1,200 children in care. Thanks to Silverwood’s generosity,
those children have the opportunity to spend a day making memories, strengthening
connections, and simply enjoying being kids.
All of the photos you see here are from my family’s very first Silverwood trip together five years
ago. Looking at them now reminds me just how much can grow from a single day together.
What felt like an ordinary outing at the time, became part of our family’s story.
To Silverwood, thank you for recognizing the value of these experiences and investing in Idaho’s
foster children. The memories created through this program will last far longer than a summer
season.
And to my fellow foster parents: if you have questions about the Fostering Family Fun Program,
please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as your local Recruitment Coordinator with Fostering
Idaho at smouchett@fosteringidahopartnership.org or contact Sara Meddock with Silverwood at
smeddock@silverwoodthemepark.com.
I hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity.
You never know when a simple day at an amusement park might become a memory your family
carries for a lifetime.
For us, it started with a joke about spicy broccoli.
Five years later, it’s still part of our family story.
Spicy broccoli, forever.
ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR
My name is Shae, and I am a proud fourth-generation Idaho native. I was born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, a place I feel incredibly grateful to call home. The community, values, and family-centered lifestyle here have shaped who I am today.
I am a wife and a biological, foster, and adoptive mom. Motherhood is at the heart of everything I do. Raising kids through so many different paths has given me a deep love for creating meaningful, fun, and memorable experiences together- whether that’s big adventures or simple everyday moments.
That passion carries into both my career and my content. Professionally, I oversee the recruitment and retention of foster parents across the five northern counties of Idaho, supporting families who step forward to make a difference in the lives of children. I am also a returning student pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Organizational Science and Communication at the University of Idaho.
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