Children of Case Western Reserve faculty, staff and students can see new exhibits and participate in hands-on activities during two one-day camps next month.
The university again is partnering with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) to provide children’s programs during two upcoming religious holidays when several area schools are closed.
Coordinated through the President’s Committee on Child Care Options (PCCCO), the sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3 (Rosh Hashanah), and Wednesday, Oct. 12 (Yom Kippur). Both are for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. While each session has different learning opportunities and activities, they share a common title: Exploring the Museum I and then Exploring the Museum II.
“We are deeply grateful to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for continuing to partner with us for these programs,” said PCCCO chair Eileen Anderson-Fye, an associate professor of bioethics. “It makes a huge difference for parents to be able to drop off their children adjacent to campus and know they will have a positive, enriching experience.”
The October programs follow last month’s announcement that the university was raising the amount of financial support available for child care when members of the campus community must travel for matters related to university work. The increases come after President Barbara R. Snyder directed staff to examine the issue because it was raised with her during a spring meeting with the Faculty Parents of Young Children organization.
The daily allocation for child care involving domestic travel moves from $75 to $100 per day, with a new international travel category qualifying for $150 per day. The per-person cap for all travel-related child care assistance is $1,000 per year (up from $750 per year). Parents can more about the program and how to apply at case.edu/finadmin/humres/benefits/childcare.html.
Meanwhile, this fall’s programs at the museum each provide children the opportunity to tour the new Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden – Presented by KeyBank. The session next week also includes a tour of the museum’s traveling exhibit Our Global Kitchen, as well as hands-on kitchen-related experiments. In addition, participants will learn about human anatomy with the museum’s giant “Stuffee” doll, as well as take-home craft activities. Children also will see a planetarium show and tour.
The second session, on Oct. 12, will include a live animal program and hands-on activities in which children will learn more about where animals live and how they adjust to changes in their environments. Participants will take home an animal-themed craft as well.
Each session costs $50 per child. In each session, participants will receive morning and afternoon snacks but must bring a sack lunch. Interested individuals can learn more and register on the museum’s website for the Oct. 3 session or the Oct. 12 program.
In addition, the president’s office has supported financial assistance for PCCCO camps to families with household incomes of $50,000 or less. Those with questions about financial assistance and their eligibility can contact Human Resources Manager Amy Sheldon at amy.sheldon@case.edu or 216.368.5000.