Volunteer Corner: Leslie Saxe

How are you involved with KidZone?

I’ve been the exhibit co-chair for about three and a half years. I am also on the board of directors. It is kind of a collective effort. Everybody has ideas ... we try to make everything as authentic as possible. We put hours into the exhibit — doing research, we talked to the historical society. I worked on the mine and I went down to the Empire State Mine, to the Sacramento Discovery museum, I read a lot of books.

What do children get out of the museum exhibits at KidZone?

The cool thing is it’s an interactive, hands-on museum. This is meant for children to play and experience history firsthand. We made it multicultural, with the Chinese herb shop and the Washoe area. Before the exhibit goes into place, we ask how did you hit intellectual skills, emotional skills, fine and gross motor skills.

What is the next exhibit?

It is going to be a collaborative project with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. They work with small museums to bring traveling exhibits. The next one will be “A View from Space,” a space-based theme.

What is the importance of a children’s museum?

KidZone is a part of the National Association of Children’s Museums in Boston. Children’s museums are doing really well in the museum world. We’re a part of this emerging trend. It is an asset to the community, a value to the locals — we’re appealing to the visitors as well.

The Sun’s Alanna Lungren interviewed Saxe for “Volunteer Corner.” Please send your suggestions for “Volunteer Corner” to editor@sierrasun.com, subject Volunteer Corner. For more information on volunteer opportunities in the North Shore and Truckee communities, visit www.handsontahoe.org. To learn how to volunteer for the KidZone, call 587-KIDS.