Leadership Cape teams pitch children's projects

A children's museum. An observation deck for nighttime sky-watchers. A $10 million hands-on science center. And a youth golf program that does more than teach children to swing a club.

These are some of the ideas dreamed up by the latest class of Leadership Cape. But the four groups that made up the class did more than dream them up -- they did the research.

Members of the class of 2006 made their project presentations at the First Friday Coffee using videos, PowerPoint presentations and -- in one case -- pyrotechnics.

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce started Leadership Cape in 1985. The project is a seven-month leadership training program for prospective community leaders that is capped off by the presentation of these group proposals. Participants work in teams to develop community improvement ideas.

"The purpose of the projects is to be both visionary and team-building as they put these things together," said chamber president and CEO John Mehner. "Some of the projects are visionary and may not be able to do immediately."

The pyrotechnics -- little bursts of fire -- were part of a group presentation to pitch the Cape Girardeau Hands-On Science Center. The group was introduced with the 1980s hit "Weird Science." The presentations were made at the Show Me Center Friday morning.

Group team member Gina Buckenmyer said such a science center would cost about $10 million.

"We dream big," she said.

According to their proposal, the science center would include an IMAX theater, a theater/ auditorium, two classrooms and five areas/rooms of study. Buckenmyer said currently there is no science center in the United States that is self-supporting and that they all rely on local and state dollars along with grants.

But she said it would be worth it because science centers are resources for lifelong learning. People of all ages visit a science center to gain knowledge in the fields of science and math. She said a science center would also support area schools.

Another eight-person group suggested building what it called Galaxy Park, a site for the public to view the night sky. The idea stems, according to the group's proposal, from the need to make use of the vacant, former landfill north of Cape Girardeau.

The landfill is perfect, the group said, because it is away from the city lights of Cape Girardeau, but still close enough for frequent visitors. Team member Sarah Culbertson said that the park would consist of wooden walkway to a high point on the property containing an observation deck. According to their plan, the observation deck would be large enough to handle spectators and contain informational reader boards and telescopes. They estimated the total cost of the park to be about $50,000, plus additional funding for manpower.

"The Discovery Playhouse, A Children's Museum" was the third idea pitched by a Leadership Cape group. After researching a children's museum, the group learned there was already interest in one by the Southeast Missouri Children's Museum Committee formed 18 months ago. So the Leadership Cape class agreed to do the research for such a museum.

Such a museum would provide hands-on learning for children up to age 12 as well as create an atmosphere that stimulates curiosity, motivates learning and is educationally and developmentally grounded. The museum was compared to "The Magic House" in St. Louis.

The last presentation centered on a youth golf program that would instill values in city youngsters. The project was called "Instilling Positive Values in Cape Girardeau Youth Through the Game of Golf."

The team suggested the First Tee Program, a national youth program that provides children an opportunity to develop through the game of golf and character education. During the research, the group learned that the Cape Girardeau Jaycees planned to apply for chapter status with First Tee.

Team member Jeremy Freeman said golf teaches honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

"Golf is unique from other sports in that players regularly call penalties on themselves," he said.

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137