Huey’s Hideaway welcomes new director
Monica Halopka is the new director at Huey’s Hideaway Children’s Museum in Medford.
“We are excited to bring Monica into the Huey’s Hideaway family,” said Huey’s board president Billie Hartwig. “Being a newcomer to Huey’s Hideaway myself, there is a definite family vibe the moment you enter the doors and can tell it has been built with love. Monica is going to be an excellent addition to that.”
Halopka is a native of the Medford area and came back to Medford because of the high quality school system for her three children. “We just love the Medford School system,” she said. Halopka has two sons ages 7 and 2 and a five-year-old daughter.
She said she became aware of Huey’s Hideaway through her children and their experiences going to and enjoying the museum. Halopka has a bachelors degree in human services. She said one of her goals as director is to ensure that all area students are able to take part in the programs and activities Huey’s has to offer regardless of family income levels.
“[Monica] brings with her a strong background in child development and a lot of fresh fundraising and curriculum ideas. Monica will be leading our Summer Camps as well as taking over the day to day operations of the Museum. We can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Hartwig said.
Halopka said that COVID-19 and the restrictions imposed because of the pandemic have put a strain on children’s museums around the country and that Huey’s Hideaway is no different.
She said that they are looking to get back out in the community and will be holding a series of camp activities this summer for both older and younger children.
Day camps for ages 5 to 8 include arts and crafts, drama camp, being neighbors, and learning about animals. Day camps for ages 9 to 13 include learning about the media, drama, cooking and learning about other cultures in the community.
Halopka is looking forward to the summer camp opportunities and for the museum to return to normal hours hopefully this summer as the pandemic numbers continue to go down.
