BROOKINGS – Brookings Mayor Keith Corbett, second from right, read a proclamation Tuesday morning to recognize the 10th anniversary of the Children’s Museum of South Dakota. Listening to the mayor were from left, Lauren Dietz, Mark Schultz, Evan Dahl, Museum mascot Kidoodle and Kate Treiber, executive director of the Museum. Many staff members were wearing dinosaur snout face masks. At right, Max wears a face mask as well.
The proclamation declared Sept. 12-19 as “Children’s Museum of South Dakota Week,” saying “the Museum sparks learning through imagination, creativity, and discovery through interactive exhibits and programs that include subjects in science, engineering art, literature, culture, geography, and history” and “strives to allow play to enhance a love of nature, build a stewardship of the environment, learn about the people, community and cultures of the region and world, foster creativity and expression, enhance open-mindedness and curiosity, give back to the community, build appreciation of diverse perspectives, generate inclusion for all, and create a passion for lifelong learning.”
More than 1 million guests from the city, state, country and the world have visited in the past decade, Treiber said. Corbett echoed that by recalling he’d gotten a note from a visitor from Ottawa, Canada.
Referencing Brookings’ motto of “Bring Your Dreams,” Corbett said, “What better place to bring your dreams” than the Children’s Museum?
Treiber said the staff has lived by the Museum’s mission of “Spark imagination for all children and grown-ups through play and discovery” and that mission has guided the staff for a decade. The Museum has partnered with 20 organizations along the way, she added.
The Children’s Museum officially opened Sept. 12, 2010, in the old Central Elementary School building. It’s undergone changes and added exhibits over the years. There’s plenty to do, from getting food at the Café Coteau, to visiting Mama T. Rex and her son Max, to challenging one’s dexterity on the two-story Cloud Climber and all of the other activities available.
The museum is celebrating the 10th anniversary until Saturday with outdoor prairie play and an array of activities, from a self-guided scavenger hunt and chalk walk, to meet-and-greets with Kidoodle. For more information on the Museum or the activities for the week, visit prairieplay.org online or call 692-6700.
