Programming, exhibits to benefit from golf event

"We're really excited to be at the Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain this year. It is such a beautiful property, and many board members and golfers are making a weekend out of it and spending the night at the hotel," said Reynolds, a Children's Museum Tucson board member who is encouraging people to consider combining the opportunity to golf and raise funds for the museum with a Father's Day staycation at the upscale resort.

Reynolds is helping coordinate the tournament and hopes it will raise $30,000 toward educational programming and exhibits at the museum.

"I think that (executive director) Michael Luria and (development director) Jennifer Camano and their staff have done a terrific job and made amazing improvements over the last few years with limited funds," Reynolds said.

"Now we feel the museum is a real sweet spot for the 4- to 8-year-olds. I know one of the pressing issues is trying to get the museum to appeal to older kids up to age 12, and we are constantly working to improve that demographic."

The museum will soon have extra help with that goal: It is one of three 2011 beneficiaries of Angel Charity for Children and will receive $236,000 to design and create Investigation Station, a new, hands-on interactive exhibit focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Construction on the new exhibit is slated to begin in early 2012.

The museum welcomed more than 125,000 visitors in 2010, and visitor attendance is up 10.1 percent year-to-date.

The museum also is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and in recognition of that milestone is offering a promotion featuring $2 admission for guests on the 25th of each month.

"It is something we are doing to give back and say, thank you to the community," said Member & Donor Services Coordinator Ali Gaona.

Other special offerings this summer include Kinder Camps 2011, for children ages 4-6; and the popular Monsoon Monday Nights, featuring $2 admission and science-themed activities each Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. through Sept. 5.

Summer visitors also can expect renovations to Mind Your Own Body, a Health and Wellness Room; as well as upgrades to Imagine ElectriCity, an energy exhibit that is adding Solar City, a solar component.

Additionally, the Ocean Discovery Center features a new saltwater touch-tank that provides hands-on interaction with sea stars, urchins and crabs.

Build It, a room featuring LEGOs, PVC pipes, shapes and a magnetic ball wall, remains popular, along with the Whistle Stop Train Room, Pet Vet and the robotic animation in Dinosaur World.

Reynolds said the museum's interactive educational experiences have been invaluable to his children, Ava, 7, and Jack, 9.

His belief in the importance of early childhood education for the entire community inspires his ongoing volunteer commitment.

"Given the demographics of communities in Arizona and Florida, which are big retirement areas with many people who are empty nesters or have grandkids, we need to make sure that the needs of children don't get forgotten," Reynolds said. "It is important to have an impact on the children of Southern Arizona and make sure they have a place they can go to that is fun and educational."

If you go

What: The Cox Seventh Annual Father's Day Weekend Golf Classic to benefit the Children's Museum Tucson

When: Saturday 6:30 a.m. registration; 7:30 a.m. shotgun start

Where: Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, 6501 Boulder Bridge Pass in Marana

Cost: $150 per person

Etc.: Festivities include lunch, a raffle and a discount for a future round of golf at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. All proceeds benefit Children's Museum Tucson educational programs and improvements to interactive exhibits.

For registration or more information: Go to www.childrensmuseumtucson.org or call 792-9985, Ext. 113.

Contact freelance writer Loni Nannini at ninch2@comcast.net