SIERRA NEVADA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM DBA KIDZONE MUSEUM

ONE OF OUR MOST EXCITING ACHIEVEMENTS HAS BEEN THE INTEGRATION OF SIERRA COMMUNITY HOUSE'S FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM INTO OUR MUSEUM. THIS REMARKABLE INITIATIVE, TAILORED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WHO HAVE YET TO START SCHOOL, HELPS PREPARE THEM FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY IN THE MOST ENGAGING AND JOYFUL WAY POSSIBLE. THROUGH MUSIC, DANCE, IMAGINATIVE PLAY, AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, CHILDREN BUILD VITAL SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE SKILLS WHILE HAVING FUN IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. FAMILY ROOM FOSTERS A LOVE OF LEARNING, STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY TIES, AND ENSURES EVERY CHILD HAS THE TOOLS TO THRIVE-MAKING IT A PERFECT FIT FOR OUR MUSEUM'S MISSION TO INSPIRE LEARNING THROUGH CREATIVE PLAY AND DISCOVERY. WEEKLY, AN AVERAGE OF 150 CHILDREN AND FAMILY MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. HOSTED THREE SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY EVENTS: TREE FROG TREKS AND FAMILY FARM FESTIVAL. BOTH FEATURED LIVE ANIMALS AND WERE AN INTRODUCTION TO CARING FOR AND SUSTAINING OUR PLANET FOR ALL ITS PLANTS AND ANIMALS. BOTH EVENTS HAD OVER 863 ATTENDEES, AND WE PROVIDED A SPECIAL HOUR JUST FOR THOSE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE THIRD EVENT WAS A FIRST FOR THE MUSEUM DAY OF THE CHILD/DA DE LOS NIOS IS A CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN. THIS EVENT ORIGINATED IN MEXICO, AND THE MUSEUM EMBRACES IT AS A WAY TO CELEBRATE ALL CHILDREN. THE FOCUS OF THIS CELEBRATION WAS HONORING AND SHARING THE HISPANIC CULTURE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. OVER 200 PEOPLE ATTENDEDWE CONTINUED WORK ON OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO BUILD A LARGER, PERMANENT MUSEUM. TOTAL RAISED BY YEAR END 2025 IS $6.5 MILLION FOR THE $9 MILLION DOLLAR PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT. WE SUBMITTED OUR PROJECT FOR A BUILDING PERMIT AND IT CURRENTLY IS PENDING. ISSUED 98 SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AND PROVIDED 161 OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT KIDZONE AND OFFSITE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AND HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING: STEPP CENTER, KINGS BEACH AND TRUCKEE HEAD START, KINGS BEACH AND TRUCKEE STATE PRESCHOOLS, KINGS BEACH AND TRUCKEE LIBRARIES, SIERRA COMMUNITY HOUSE, HEALTHY BABIES, TRUCKEE READS, NEVADA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPT, TTUSD, FOX CULTURAL, NEVADA COUNTY CHILD WELFARE SERVICES, PLACER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, NEVADA AND PLACER WIC.