21 Sep Powell Gardens Receives $10,000 Grant from the American Century Foundation

Powell Gardens recently received a grant for $10,000 from the American Century Foundation to deliver five Family Frolic events and provide free event admission and transportation to 300 parents and children who would likely not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in such an event.

Seasonal Family Frolics feature garden-inspired learning and hands-on exploration for visitors of all ages. Each year beginning in 2016, Powell Gardens has hosted four to six day-long Family Frolic events tied to various themes. Families are inspired to consider environmental concepts, such as nature and its relationship to humans’ food sources and the significant interdependence of humans and other life forms (insects, worms, bats, and birds). Each event features several hands-on art and science maker projects or experiential stations, a self-guided family activity print-out to help family groups discover aspects of nature together throughout the garden, and cultural performances (musical, theatre, storytelling, or puppets, etc.) related to the theme.

As a result of this project, under-served families will be exposed to a botanical garden setting, have meaningful family bonding experiences, and be inspired to spend more quality time in nature.

As the region’s only botanical garden, Powell Gardens is a vital resource for Kansas City metropolitan residents, over half a million of whom are children. The Gardens provide a nature-based refuge from the urban landscape, while educating the community about the importance of natural preservation.