Security Health Plan and Marshfield Clinic Health System invest in Medford children’s museum

For the City Times
MARSHFIELD – Along Medford’s downtown streets are historic buildings and quaint storefronts, but your eyes are quickly drawn to a brightly-colored building, beckoning children to come and explore. This is Huey’s Hideaway, a children’s museum whose mission is to provide area children a safe, educational and engaging environment to play, learn and be inspired.

This non-profit children’s museum strives to connect families through creativity and learning and offers hands-on exploration of a variety of exhibits that range from a chiropractor’s office, a dental clinic, an ice cream parlor and even a beauty salon.

Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., along with Marshfield Clinic Health System, recently invested in Huey’s Hideaway to help continue the mission Huey’s has started.

Monica Halopka, director of Huey’s Hideaway, said the contribution from Security and Marshfield Clinic will help the non-profit organization continue to expand and grow as they seek to increase their outreach efforts and provide additional opportunities to the children of the Medford area.

“When families visit Huey’s they create a special bond through the memories they create as the children explore our exhibits,” Halopka said. “I love watching families grow together and enjoy their time here at Huey’s.”

Halopka said while the museum has set hours, it’s really available for use anytime upon request. In addition, Huey’s Hideaway offers special programs like Little Scientist, which provides hands-on science experiments; Art 4 Tots, which sparks creativity for the youngest of artists; and summer camps, which are state-certified day camps that run throughout the summer. Each week of summer camp focuses on a different theme. This summer the camp themes include sports, cooking, animals, drama, crafts, wilderness, community, acts of kindness, cooperatives, around the world and space.

“This donation allows us to continue to provide services to families, regardless of their financial status,” Halopka said.

Halopka said the educational summer camps focus on important life habits such as healthy eating and exercising, and they also help parents who are unable to obtain child care throughout the summer months.

“Families can have fun together exploring and learning at Huey’s Hideaway, and we think that’s a big part of helping families in our local area reach their best health,” Security Health Plan Director of Population Health Heather Kurtz said. “We are pleased to invest in Huey’s Hideaway and the many educational opportunities they provide.”

To learn more about Huey’s Hideaway, or to plan your visit, go to www.hueyshideaway.org.