Family Activity Day Returns Saturday with Outdoor Fun

The Let’s Move! Family Activity Day, set for Saturday (Sept. 19), runs from 10 a.m. to noon and is open to the public.

The University of Mississippi Museum and Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi are partnering for a day of art and nature during this weekend’s Family Activity Day.

The Let’s Move! Family Activity Day, set for Saturday (Sept. 19), features fun activities exploring art and nature along the Bailey’s Woods trail. The drop-in event runs from 10 a.m. to noon and is open to the public.

The event starts in the museum parking lot and continues down the trail all the way to Rowan Oak. Transportation will be provided back to the museum from Rowan Oak. Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi is sponsoring the Let’s Move! Family Activity Day.

The event was originally scheduled for April 18, but was rescheduled to this Saturday because of rain.
“We wanted to reschedule because this is one of our most popular family days,” said Rebecca Phillips the museum’s membership, events and communications coordinator. “We hope to have many families here to enjoy the outdoors and activities along Bailey’s Woods trail.”

In 2011, the museum joined Let’s Move! Museums and Gardens, an initiative that works to prevent childhood obesity. The initiative is overseen by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and was launched in 2010 by first lady Michelle Obama. Let’s Move! is dedicated to encouraging children to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Last year, the UM Museum launched a fundraising campaign on the crowd-funding platform Ignite Ole Miss to keep Family Activity Days free for all children. The campaign raised enough money to keep the events free over the next three years. The museum typically hosts two to three family days each semester.

“Our original goal was $6,000, and thanks to the tremendous support of Baptist Memorial Hospital and the many generous individuals who have given, we have exceeded this goal and are thrilled to make new memories with families at the museum,” said Emily McCauley, curator of education.

To keep up to date with museum events, follow it on Facebook or Twitter, or visit the museum website.
For more information about Let’s Move! Family Activity Day, contact McCauley at esdean@olemiss.edu or 662-915-7073. In case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled.

Written by Brittany Clark
Story courtesy UM Communications