CAMARILLO, California, Feb 19, 2025 - A vision years in the making took a major step forward as kidSTREAM Children's Museum celebrated its groundbreaking on Friday, January 31st. The ceremony was filled with excitement and hands-on learning opportunities, and marked the start of construction on a long awaited children’s museum for Ventura County.
 

“The groundbreaking of kidSTREAM Children’s Museum is a defining moment for our community and a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Michael Shanklin, Executive Director of kidSTREAM. “As we put shovels in the ground, we are taking a huge step towards creating a space that will inspire and empower generations of children. Today is a celebration of the countless individuals, families, and organizations who have come together to make this vision a reality. We are one step closer to opening our doors and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, explore, and discover in a space designed just for them.”
 

The event brought together city officials, local foundations, corporate partners, founding families, and community supporters—each playing a role in bringing the museum to life.

Kristie Akl, Founder of kidSTREAM, reflected on the museum's early years and the dedication of those who helped lay its foundation: "This is why our early founding friends and board members are so incredible. You planted a seed for a tree whose shade you may never rest under, yet you did so whole-heartedly for the sake of our community."
 

Bryan Yee, Board Chair of kidSTREAM, emphasized the collective effort that made this milestone possible, sharing a quote from his young daughter: "Together, we can do big things when we help each other." He continued, "Today, we’re not just breaking ground on a building—we’re breaking ground on something much bigger: a place where curiosity will thrive, imaginations will grow, and futures will be shaped."

A key supporter of the project, Bob Bradway, CEO of Amgen, highlighted the importance of investing in young minds: "Science needs everyone, and everyone needs science…our support of kidSTREAM and other innovative science education programs aims to help young people everywhere acquire the skills they need to thrive in our increasingly complex world, but just as important, to ignite a passion in them for science."
 

Scheduled to open by the end of 2025, kidSTREAM will provide hands-on, play-based learning experiences for over 200,000 children across Ventura County. With interactive exhibits, educational programming, and community outreach initiatives, the museum is set to become a cornerstone for early childhood learning in the region.