It was pure magic for 40 kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley on July 31 at the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage. The event was hosted by Storyliving by Disney, which has had a long-standing partnership commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America for more than 50 years. Disney and Boys & Girls Clubs have worked together to help young people discover their potential, explore new opportunities and build skills for the future.
Also involved with the day's fun activities was Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney community located in Rancho Mirage.
That mission came to life as kids from the Coachella Valley stepped into the role of engineers, inventors and problem-solvers during a hands-on Rube Goldberg challenge.
A Rube Goldberg challenge involves creating a complex machine that performs a simple task in an overwhelmingly complicated way. This takes place in the Children's Discovery Museum's STEAM space. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and collaboration. This space is equipped with a variety of STEAM activity materials funded by Storyliving by Disney, such as 3D printers, a laser cutter and more.
Working in teams, students tested ideas, refined designs and celebrated every breakthrough. With each successful run, marbles raced through mazes, dominoes toppled, pulleys swung into motion and miniature Cotino home doorbells rang — all bringing their creativity to life.
"This event is a great example of what can happen when community partners come together around a shared goal," said Anthony Henry, general manager of Cotino and a member of the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert board of directors. "By giving students access to hands-on learning experiences like this, we're helping spark curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning. Seeing that excitement firsthand is incredibly rewarding."
The event also showcased the power of community partnerships. Through its support of the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley, Storyliving by Disney is helping create more opportunities for young people to engage with STEAM learning year-round.
"Our museum exists to inspire curiosity and lifelong learning," said Cindy Burreson, president and CEO of the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert. "Our museum is not just a tourist attraction, but a year-long learning resource for local families. "We are grateful for [partners] supporting our museum and Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley, who share our commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences for children."
One of the most touching moments of the day came when Quinton Egson, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley, gave an impromptu speech to the kids, sharing a pivotal childhood moment when, at 9 years old, he became involved with the organization. He said the club exists to ensure every child has a safe place to call home and an environment where they learn and have fun. He told a story of a recent encounter with a young girl who had attended the summer session. When asked what it would be like not having the Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley, she replied that it would be like playing baseball without the glove — it would hurt.
"Experiences like what happened today at the Children's Discovery Museum help our children see what is possible," Egson said. "When kids are encouraged to explore, create, and dream they are developing skills that can serve them for a lifetime."
Storyliving by Disney provided the children with backpacks filled with school supplies collected by the Storyliving by Disney Cotino cast members (employees) and donated through Disney's back-to-school initiative. Storyliving also donated yearlong passes to each child and one adult in their family to extend their learning throughout the year.
For Storyliving by Disney, supporting youth through organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley isn't just about a single day or event; it's about inspiring future generations. "At Disney, we believe in creating opportunities that inspire children to become dreamers, creators and innovators," said Disney Community Relations Representative Travis Waters.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley, visit bgcofcv.org or call 760-836-1160. For more information about the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, email info@cdmod.org or call 760-321-0602.
DeAnn Lubell is a prize-winning writer, publicist and teacher of the arts. She has written for The Desert Sun, Palm Springs Life, Coachella Valley Weekly, Desert Charities News, Uken Report and more. Her historical novel, The Last Moon, has won six national awards and four international awards for literary excellence. She has been a publicist for many local nonprofit organizations, including the McCallum Theatre. She currently represents Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley and her own nonprofit, Amy's Purpose.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Boys and Girls Clubs enjoy Storyliving by Disney, Discovery Museum
