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Boating at the Fairbanks Children's Museum isn't just fun - it's transformative!
For ten years the Fairbanks Children's Museum (FCM) has inspired and connected families through discovery and the power of play. With our extreme winter climate, the FCM provides a lifeline for families with children under nine years of age. It provides the opportunity to explore and practice character strengths such as curiosity, gratitude, empathy, creativity and kindness. Free play is an opportunity for children to interact and connect while developing crucial life skills. Children are encouraged to use critical thinking and their creativity is inspired.
The FCM primarily serves the local community and strives to provide "place based' exhibits, including some that reflect the local reliance on subsistence food gathering. The FCM already has a cabin exhibit that features some traditional foods and traditional food preservation practices by having toy salmon and a pretend fish drying rack, but a boat would make the scene much more realistic and fun. This single boat can become a fishing vessel, transform into a pirate ship, or anything a child imagines. It will also provide an opportunity to learn about water safety as Alaska has the highest drowning rate in the country.
This project would provide funding for boat building materials, life jackets, fishing poles, buoys, nets, and other décor. College Rotary club members will help with staining and assembling the boat and its décor. With over 50,000 FCM visitors a year, Rotary will be recognized by naming the boat the SS College Rotary, or by other mutually agreed upon appropriate means.
Materials will be purchased when funds are received with an anticipated build and completion during the summer or fall 2026.
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