On Saturday afternoon, April 30, almost 500 visitors attended the Children’s Museum at the Windhover Center of the Arts as part of a “free day” sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Fabulous Fond du Lac. This project was selected in an effort to promote the club’s mission of “changing the world one community and one child at a time”. Kiwanis Event Coordinator, Mr. Dan Leeds, was pleased with the participation and looks to improve the event for next year. The majority of the visitors had never been to the Fond du Lac Children’s Museum and it certainly was an opportunity for all to participate in an interactive learning environment that allows children to build confidence and experience constructive play.

The Fond du Lac Children’s Museum opened in December 2007 and is located inside the restored Windhover Center of the Arts. The Museum’s mission is to offer an interactive learning environment for children age birth through eleven and their caregivers. Features include hands-on exhibits – each set in a different county. Bonnie Baerwald, President of the Kiwanis Club of Fabulous Fond du Lac, wanted to create a signature project for the club with a focus on young children. “We connected with community advocates who worked with children and looked for a gap; our club agreed that sponsoring a “free day” at the Museum would be beneficial for all young children, but especially those who might not have the economic means to normally go to the Museum,” said Baerwald.

The Club offers specials thanks to the staff at the Children’s Museum who coordinated and promoted the event. Children not only participated in the active learning displays, but were also able to construct pinwheels in the crafts room.

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