The 12th annual Beaver Club Gala has raised $107,375 to support children and youth in active engagement and hands-on discovery at The Canadian Canoe Museum.
More than 160 guests attended the Saturday, October 19 event, which was supported by 29 corporate sponsors and an array of volunteers. Joanie McGuffin, Canadian explorer, conservation photographer, writer, motivational speaker, documentarian and conservationist, was the guest host.
The Beaver Club, founded in 1785 by Montreal-based members of the North West Company, was an annual gathering of seasoned fur traders. Today, it recognizes the significance of the fur trade and is an opportunity to gather in support of the museum.
Since its inception, the event has raised more than $967,000.
“This event is made possible by our event sponsors, supporters and guests, along with the Beaver Club Gala Planning Committee volunteers who give so generously of their talent and time,” says Shirlanne Pawley-Boyd, Director of Philanthropy. “These funds will ensure that our award-winning education programs will continue to develop and grow, reaching children who visit our galleries in person, and those who visit virtually, from around the world.”
In 2018, close to 6,000 students visited in person and more than 3,000 from eight countries visited via virtual field trip. Field trips are guided by educators offering curriculum-connected programming in both French and English.
About Education at The Canadian Canoe Museum
The museum’s programs for children and youth are all about active engagement and hands-on discovery. Our world-class collection allows us to offer unique experiential field trips that explore the arts, science, language, social studies, history and First Nations, Métis and Inuit connections throughout the Ontario curricula, all through the lens of the canoe. Students make, bake, build, sing, carve, paint, experiment, measure and map. They examine primary sources, handle artifacts, and paddle canoes in programs that support all learning styles.
