tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1918976125542059175.post7393678127646797321..comments2011-12-06T12:48:11.585-08:00Comments on Reaching out to Low-Income Visitors: It Takes a Village to Raise a ChildMuseum Audiences 2011http://www.blogger.com/profile/06980325299858044843noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1918976125542059175.post-46755924093817991402011-12-06T07:24:30.405-08:002011-12-06T07:24:30.405-08:00I definitely think that summer camp programs are t...I definitely think that summer camp programs are the best way to go. Many low-income families also cannot afford the time to take their children to museums because of longer work schedules. Also, the cost of transportation might also be an issue, especially if the institution is not accessible by public transportation. I think it would be interesting if local libraries and museums got together during the school breaks to come up with programing to keep students engaged.abeischhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10207451982487408440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1918976125542059175.post-17650321697689912712011-12-05T21:19:22.417-08:002011-12-05T21:19:22.417-08:00The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (www.chi...The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (www.childrensmuseum.org) also offers a cool membership program for low-income families: The Neighborhood Club. Families and individuals living in one of the six neighborhoods in the Mid-North area are eligible for a free membership to the museum. The museum has also partnered with the Indiana Department of Child Services to offer a foster family membership. Foster families can sign up for a free one-year membership for adults sharing the same household, their foster children, stepchildren, and biological children under 21.<br /><br />In addition to memberships, the museum also seeks to engage low-income youth through summer programs like Starpoint Summer Camp, an affordable, curriculum-based summer program. The camp is a unique, six week long camp available to ages 6–12. Each week is themed according to an exhibit or element in the museum. See more community initiatives at http://www.childrensmuseum.org/community-initiatives.erinanderson86https://www.blogger.com/profile/08391431690256445433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1918976125542059175.post-45271802548536813652011-12-05T13:26:17.327-08:002011-12-05T13:26:17.327-08:00Great post. I always resented my dad saying that s...Great post. I always resented my dad saying that summer/winter breaks are times to study more. But now I know what he's talking about. =)<br /><br />How do museums advertise to the parents? What's the best way? Is it through the schools before the students go on break? Newspaper? Library? How are these low-income families getting news about these opportunities?<br /><br />--AudreyMuseum Audiences 2011https://www.blogger.com/profile/06980325299858044843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1918976125542059175.post-16576874024046010832011-12-04T10:25:19.231-08:002011-12-04T10:25:19.231-08:00When I was teaching in charter schools, we talked ...When I was teaching in charter schools, we talked a lot about the "summer slide" you (and Cooper, et. al) refer to. I believe that this slide is a huge contributor to the Achievement Gap in education. We so often refer to this as a gap between races, but I agree with your blog's idea that it is actually a gap between socioeconomic levels. Rich kids don't lose very much in the summer because their families can afford to do enrichment activities; meanwhile poorer students fall farther and farther behind each year (compounded by less effective teachers/school) because they lack reinforcement in the summer!<br /><br />As a future museum professional, I will definitely seek to expand affordable (or free) summer enrichment programs for youth!Liz F.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09121303256199746829noreply@blogger.com