10/23/2026
This past Wednesday, the Baraboo Children's Museum, along with other local individuals and organizations, were invited to attend an awards ceremony put on by Sauk County Public Health. Armed with the information that we had been selected as the recipients of the Strong Starts Stronger Futures award, our Director of Operations Miss Sara arrived at the event and was quickly informed that she would be given the opportunity to speak. For all who know Miss Sara, you know that she easily gets emotional - especially when kind words are shared about the museum. As she listened to other speeches, she was doubtful that she would be able to say much, though she had a lot to say! When Becca stood at the podium and spoke her praise of the museum, Miss Sara held it together. But as soon as she reached the podium to share her words, she....couldn't.
So the time has come to be able to share some of those words:
The Baraboo Children's Museum is incredibly honored to be co-nominated for this award. We work closely with Sauk County Public Health throughout the year every year. Their collaboration and partnership are incredibly important to what we are able to bring to our community. To be honest, we don't know who reached out to whom, but our desire to bring a safe and educational space to our community is only strengthened by associating with them.
Whether it is their monthly car seat safety checks at the museum, them attending our Child Safety Day event, or any of the other interactions that we have between us, we are better because of them.
To be in the same room with all of these other organizations who have done incredibly wonderful work felt like we were imposters who had somehow stumbled into a room full of superheroes.
Every single individual and group recognized in that room has made a profound, tangible impact on the families of Sauk County. Looking around, it was easy to feel small and wonder, "Do we really belong alongside these amazing people?" But standing at that podium (even through the tears) reminded us of the heart of our mission. We aren't doing this work by ourselves; we are part of a remarkable collaboration of people who care deeply others.
We may have been lost for words in the moment, but our gratitude is endless. Thank you to Sauk County Public Health for this incredible honor, for your unwavering partnership, and for pushing us to be better every single day. We are deeply humbled, grateful, and more motivated than ever to keep serving our community alongside all of you.
