Lincoln Financial Foundation increases support for Museum InReach program at Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

(Dover, NH / June 16 2011) – Lincoln Financial Foundation is providing increased support for the Museum InReach program at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. The foundation’s recent $8,000 education grant will enable students from underserved elementary schools throughout the state to visit the Children’s Museum at no cost during the 2011—2012 school year. Lincoln Foundation was a founding sponsor of this program in 2008, and the upgrade in their support this year will increase the number of students who will be served through Museum InReach.

“The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is grateful to Lincoln Foundation for this fourth year of support for Museum InReach,” said Paula Rais, Outreach Director for the museum. “This program welcomes hundreds of children from under-served communities at no charge. Most of these students would not otherwise be able to visit a museum due to school budget constraints. Thanks to Lincoln Foundation, students from schools across the state will be able to experience the dynamic, hands-on learning opportunities that the Children’s Museum provides.”

Byron Champlin, assistant vice president and program officer for Lincoln Foundation, said that the foundation’s continued support for Museum InReach speaks to the quality of Children’s Museum programming as well as the challenges faced by poor and rural school districts. “Education can come alive at a place like the Children’s Museum, but only if kids have access to it,” he said. “Through Museum InReach, we hope that economic circumstances and distance will cease to be barriers to an enhanced learning experience for children.”

The goal of Museum InReach is to continue to provide access to the Children’s Museum for under-served and low-income children. The program effectively eliminates economic obstacles for the state’s poorest children to experience alternative methods of learning that encourage educational growth and achievement. A visit to the Children’s Museum is an inspiring event for many children because the ability to read or sit still in a classroom is not a prerequisite for success. For many students, Museum InReach will be their first, and perhaps only, visit to a museum.

About the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

The not-for-profit Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two levels of hands-on, custom-created exhibits for children ages 1-12. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the museum hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events for families. The museum serves as a critical resource for children, families, schools and social service agencies. For more information, please call the museum at (603) 742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org.