HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Connecticut is encouraging kids to explore its museums with a summer program that allows them free admission at participating locations starting July 1.
Through the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program, children ages 18 and under will be able to visiting more than 90 participating museums with one accompanying adult free of charge.
Made possible through American Rescue Plan funding, Governor Ned Lamont said the goal is to provide opportunities for children to participate in fun summer learning in order to prepare them for school in the fall while also encouraging them to spend time with family and friends after a difficult year.
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said a recovery from the impact of the pandemic for children was his focus when fighting for the American Rescue Plan Act in Congress alongside U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
He worked to keep a "laser-light focus on making sure that kids not only had access to make up for learning loss this summer but had time to make up for the emotional loss, the psychological loss that had taken place by being separated from their peers and institutions like [The Connecticut Science Center]," he said.
The new program offers Connecticut an opportunity to recover both socially and economically, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said, by also providing a lifeline to institutions that have struggled throughout the pandemic.
Blumenthal agreed, noting that the program will help raise attendance at museums that haven't seen many guests throughout the pandemic.
"[The program] will be a great boost in terms of social and emotional learning but also jobs," Blumenthal said while at the Connecticut Science Center, "Families who come to this museum will buy a meal across the street. They'll shop down the block. This museum is part of an ecosystem."
Historical sites, zoos and aquariums are also among the numerous locations that are participating in the program which runs through September 6.
A full list of those participating locations can be found at CTsummermusems.com.