Children’s Museum for CSUB Campus is Granted Conceptual Approval By CSU Board of Trustees in Long Beach

The CSU Board of Trustees granted conceptual approval for Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind (BAM) Children’s Museum on May 16th in Long Beach. This vote of approval gives BAM planners the green light to officially begin the planning phase for this innovative project. This Children’s Museum, proposed as an educational town square, is the first of its kind to be located on a CSU campus.

The $15 million, state-of-the-art, 35,000 square foot facility is the brainchild of local community leaders who have recognized the need for this center in our growing community. “Our board of more than 15 community leaders is very in touch with local families and their desire to have an interactive place – a destination – such as BAM in Bakersfield,” said Jillian Fritch-Stump. “This unique collaboration between BAM, Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), the Kern Community Foundation and families will provide an oasis for children and their caregivers.”

Planning for the permanent and rotating exhibits, the indoor and outdoor learning environments, the KCSOS Learning Center Satellite Office, the café, the educational programming, the educational store and classrooms can now begin to take shape. Conceptual architectural sketches provided by Renfro and Cunningham for the proposal capture the vision of these educational features developed by the BAM Advisory team. BAM’s ideal location facing Camino Media on the University campus provides BAM planners the opportunity to develop exciting collaborative educational programs for children and their families.

Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director of the Association of Children’s Museums commented on the proposed museum. “Collaboration is key to becoming a town square – a central gathering place for all citizens. The Association of Children’s Museums applauds CSU campus officials and BAM for taking this first step toward providing the physical infrastructure of a children’s museum for families living and visiting Kern County.”

For more information about the BAM project, to volunteer, develop a partnership or to provide financial support call 327-KIDS or email bamforkids@cox.net.