Media Release February 2024

Vintage Skills   Summer Adventures     Teen Guide Opportunities

Eau Claire, Wisconsin—The Chippewa Valley Museum is offering something for all ages.

Wool Spinning Class with Janie Mininger, Saturday, March 9, 12-3 pm.

Guest instructor Janie Mininger returns with another opportunity for exploring this fascinating and historic art form.  Each student receives personalized instruction while learning how to spin yarn on a classic or reconditioned spinning wheel.  A generous amount of roving will be supplied by the instructor. This class is geared for beginners ages 13 and older and those who desire a refresher course. Class size is limited to four students. Cost is $90/student or $80/student with CVM membership discount applied. Contact Karen Jacobson at k.jacobson@cvmuseum.com for details.

Time Travelers: Kids Summer Programming 10:30 am - noon. Don’t miss our great warm-weather adventures for kids ages 6-12.
Week 1: June 26 Art Adventures. Kids will be able to meet artist, author, and illustrator Patricia Hawkenson; explore the artwork found in Color the Chippewa Valley-Junior Edition; take a silhouetted shapes tour of the logging camp; and create a souvenir art project to take home. Note: These sessions meet at the Wisconsin Logging Museum.

Week 2: July 10. History Hide and Seek. Summer detectives will be busy searching for rarely seen artifacts in the collection, going behind the scenes to discover special hidden treasures, investigating lighting to learn about the harmful effects of UV rays, and constructing UV-detecting creatures and protective shields.

Week 3: July 17. All Afloat. Journey through the gallery spaces to explore early river navigation; visit our newest exhibit, “On the Water”; design a wooden boat that really floats; and test your bowline and other knot-tying skills.

Week 4: July 24. Sunnyview Shindig. Hear the stories of one-room scholars from long ago, make and eat an edible abacus, experiment with quill pen art, and play an old-fashioned marble game for keeps. Note: these sessions meet at the Sunnyview School House.

For more information, contact Karen Jacobson at 715-598-2660 or k.jacobson@cvmuseum.com. Register at  https://www.cvmuseum.com/learn-teach/childrens-programs/.

The cost of each class is $8 plus a $5 material fee. Members only pay the $5 material fee.

Chippewa Valley Museums' Teen Guides Program
Teen guide applications will be accepted online from March 1 – April 20. Through committed participation in the Teen Guides program, teens gain valuable communication skills and grow their connection to, and knowledge about, regional history. Angela Allred, the program manager, relays that “teen guides leave a lasting positive impression on museum staff, volunteers, and visitors. I am pleased to support our Certified Teen Guides with strong recommendations for their future employment and academic pursuits.”

Up to fifteen guides will be chosen to participate in a week-long training camp in early June to immerse themselves into the history, collections, operations, and practices that shape the Chippewa Valley Museum. Guides then choose 32 service hours within the museum, and upon completing certification requirements, they are invited to continue their relationship with the Museum as volunteers.

One of those former Guides is Katelyn A. who completed her certificate during the summer of 2021 and has returned to support museum programs, events, and visitor service activities. Katelyn says “the Teen Guide program allowed me to connect with my community in various ways. I was able to learn more about my community’s past, share this information with visitors, and connect with those visitors on a personal level. As a certified Teen Guide, I have learned life-long skills that have led me to success, and I’m confident will lead me to success in the future.”

Applications for the Teen Guide program can be found at cvmuseum.com. For more information, contact Angela Allred at 715-598-2661 or at a.allred@cvmuseum.com.