Designing new museums with Clark Construction

Written by Lorena Palacios
Communications Intern
@DCSCORESinterns

(View our 2017 Summer Camps photo album)

L'Enfant Plaza will soon be home to the International Spy Museum, and our Truesdell campers had the opportunity to check out the new site thanks to Clark Construction.

The excited campers spent the first part of their field trip hanging out with a couple of Clark employees that gave some fun facts on the new museum. The kids also learned about other notable buildings in the city that were built by Clark.

The Verizon Center, RFK Stadium, Nationals Park, the National Museum of African American History, and the list continues! All the campers were amazed to learn about all the cool projects Clark has been a part of over the years, which served as inspiration for their fun activity ahead.

Everyone's creative skills were tested with the task of designing unique museum ideas and presenting their final models.

Sports was the big theme as the majority of the groups designed soccer museums.

9-year-old Kiomara was very excited to present her group's National Soccer Museum. "It will include all the best soccer players. Messi! Ronaldo! Maradona!" said the eager camper.

There was, however, one that stood out from the rest with their innovative idea, the National Candy Museum. This concept grabbed everyone's attention, including some of the Clark employees that were big fans of the free candy bag idea.

Next up the kids received a visit from the site's superintendent, who talked to the kids about his responsibilities and what goes into building the new spy museum.

"It was great having the kids out here," said Stephanie Emore, an engineer for Clark. "For those that were here last year, it's nice for them to see how we started from nothing to a full building now."

Finally, is there any other way for DC SCORES to end a fun-filled day than with a soccer game? The Clark employees joined the kids on the field to conclude another great week of summer camp.

Thank you again to our longtime partner and current reigning DC SCORES Cup champions, Clark Construction, for spending the afternoon with the Truesdell campers.

Summer campers learn how to build and spy with Clark Construction

Written by Kelsi Moran
Communications Intern

An air of curiosity filled the room as eyes lit up in wonder and excited chatter echoed, each camper soaking up every word of the Spy Museum presentation. Whether creating or listening, campers’ imaginations ran wild as they learned more about spies and what they may find in the still-being-constructed Spy Museum by L'Enfant Plaza.

This past Friday's exclusive presentation at the new building was made possible by DC SCORES longtime partner Clark Construction, which had several employees on hand to lead the students through an action-packed afternoon.

It began with campers expressing themselves and using their imaginations to build their own Spy Museums out of construction paper, paper plates, and numerous other crafting materials. Each group put their creative skills to use to bring to life their visions.

Once the museums were created, the campers got a chance to experience virtual reality headsets. These goggles gave the wearer an idea of what the future Spy Museum will look.

“The goggles were awesome!” said Frank M., 8, a summer camp participant. “I could see large windows and a huge staircase!”

Spy Museum Youth Education Director Jacqueline Eyl presented about different items that spies may use and their purposes. Using things such as a soda can and shaving cream as props, Eyl gave campers a glimpse into the secret world of spies.

“The Spy Museum has the largest collection of spy gadgets in the world," Eyl said.

The campers marveled at the information Eyl shared with them, and hands shot up in the air to ask questions.

Finally, an afternoon well spent inside the soon-to-be museum complete, students and Clark employees spilled outside to play game of soccer to complete a perfectly constructed day in partnership.