The Golisano Children's Museum of Naples - Naples, Florida
Organization History:
In June 2002, the first organizational meetings were held to create a museum to inspire the children of Collier County and southwest Florida. The mission of The Golisano Children's Museum of Naples (C'mon) is to provide an exciting, inspiring environment where children and their families can play, learn and dream together. Currently under construction, C'mon believes it is a privilege to share life with a child, and the organization is committed to nurturing bonds among families and generations.
Project Description:
When children play, they learn. Whether they are learning to move and control their bodies more smoothly, thinking through a problem at a new level of understanding, using their language skills more effectively or increasing their abilities to get along with others, children are learning through play. In providing an environment for play-filled learning, C'mon affirms that play is not merely something to be tolerated in the gaps between eating, sleeping and periods for formal learning. Play is vitally necessary to a child's health and full development.
The museum, with ten spectacularly designed, child-scaled environments, will be Collier County's first environment developed exclusively for children without regard to developmental, physical, sensory, social-emotional or socio-economic status. The exhibits present a well-rounded universe that is rarely experienced by children or, for that matter, the adults in their lives, from the swamps of the Everglades to outer reaches of the galaxy, from the annual change of seasons to a farm to a day at the beach. At the heard of the exhibits is The Banyan Tree, a soaring, two-story banyan tree with cubbies nestled in vertical prop roots, a lookout platform, and crawling branches that lead to the fascinating tree house at the top, inspiring children's imagination as well as body coordination.
For more information on The Golisano Children's Museum of Naples: Hodge Group Case Study | www.cmon.org
Fundraising Goals:
C'mon is pleased to recognize the extraordinary generosity of businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano by naming the Museum the "Golisano Children's Museum of Naples." Golisano is the lead donor to the C'mon Capital Campaign with a $5 million challenge grant, hoping to inspire other philanthropists to support the worthwhile campaign to bring the new Museum to completion. With a capital campaign goal of $20 million, C'mon will create a safe and wonderful place that inspires children and families to have fun while learning together.
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