Community Updates: Friday, November 18

Camp Curious and Other Holiday Exhibits, Activities Return to the Grand Rapids Public Museum

As the holiday season approaches and parents prepare for their students' upcoming winter breaks, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) has announced that it will once again be offering Camp Curious: Snowflake Break Sessions to elementary school students between first and sixth grade. According to the release, the children who attend "will be able to use the Museum as a learning lab -- experimenting, learning, and growing -- all while having a great time in one of the area's most history-rich environments." Through these sessions, students will get the chance to participate in a variety of activities that will encourage their creativity and educate them on everything from the diversity of human culture(s) to the science behind the exploration of space. Rob Schuitema, the Director of Public Programs at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, made the following statement in a press release that was sent out on Monday, November 14:

"We are looking forward to welcoming another year of Snowflake Break campers to the Museum, using primary source artifact learning and exhibit exploration for a fun and educational experience. These camps are a great way to dive deeper into science, history, and culture concepts through the unique lens of the Museum."

Camp Curious will begin on Monday, December 19 and continue until Thursday, December 22 (however, the program will not be held on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). Sixteen children can be registered for each session. There is a fee of $40 for each student ($30 for GRPM members). For more information about camp sessions, please visit the GRPM's website here.  

In addition to Camp Curious, the Museum has also announced a number of other holiday-related events and activities taking place at the GRPM over the next month. For example, the Let it Snow show will be returning to the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium on Saturday, November 26 while the famous Herpolsheimer’s Train will return on Saturday, November 19. For more information about Museum events and holiday activities, visit the GRPM's website here.

Frederik Meijer Gardens Prepares for Opening of the 2022 University of Michigan-Health West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions Exhibition 

Earlier this month, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park announced that the University of Michigan-Health West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition would officially be returning to the park on Tuesday, November 22. Popular displays, such as the Railway Garden and the holiday tree showcase (during which 40+ trees are decorated to represent cultures from all corners of the world), will once again be a part of this exhibition. However, Meijer Gardens is also introducing the new Seasonal Light Experience, an "immersive audio and visual lightshow" that will be taking place outside at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater. These shows are scheduled to occur on December 19 through December 23, and again on December 26 through December 30. According to Steve LaWarre, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park's Vice President of Horticulture: 

"This year we're showcasing traditions from around the world that incorporates light into their holiday celebrations. The brand new Seasonal Light Experience at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater is another can't-miss experience that's sure to bring joy to our guests, in addition to the familiar elements of this beloved exhibition."

There will also be a number of other events taking place at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park during the holiday season, including discussion sessions about the celebration of various holidays around the world (such as Diwali, Hanukkah, and Kucios). The schedule for those can be found here. For more information about the University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition, visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park's website here. 

Also in the News:

• The City of Grand Rapids wants to remind its residents that the City's parks will remain open to the public throughout the winter season. For a detailed list of which parking lots and trails are plowed, visit the City of Grand Rapids' website here. 

• Kent County has announced two major changes to its staff:
  • Scott Corbin, the former Emergency Management Director for Allegan County, has been hired as Kent County's new Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator
  • Josh Spencer, former Vice President at Kennari Consulting, has been hired as Kent County's new Director of Strategic Impact

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