Outdoor Learning Laboratory at Fishback Childhood Education Center

 Two generations of the Fishback family of Brookings attended the nursery and preschool at South Dakota State University, and in September 2009 they were recognized for their longtime generosity to the Early Childhood Education program.

 The revitalized Outdoor Learning Laboratory at the Fishback Center for Early Childhood Education on the SDSU campus was dedicated Sept. 18, 2009, thanks in large part to Fishback family. Barbara and Van Fishback and Pat and Bob Fishback provided the lead gift for the newly renovated playground. Their gift was used as a match to encourage others to donate to the $330,000 project, which is being funded entirely with private gifts.

 A small amount of additional gifts are needed to complete fundraising for the project and enable continued maintenance and upkeep for future students at the Fishback Center.

 The Outdoor Learning Laboratory is a series of connected outdoor learning environments designed to stimulate the imagination of the students who attend preschool and kindergarten at the Fishback Center. The transformation added a village of brightly colored child-size buildings, cowbell Campanile, huge sandbox, grass-covered rolling hill, tricycle track and flowing stream. The newly finished playground completes a nearly 10-year facility improvement of the preschool at Pugsley Center.

The Outdoor Learning Laboratory is a project of It Starts with STATE: A Campaign for South Dakota State University. It is the largest university fundraising drive in state history, with a working goal of $190 million. The campaign is in response to campus-wide strategic planning that developed a vision for future growth on campus.

 For more information about giving opportunities for the Outdoor Learning Laboratory,
please contact:

  Ryan Howlett
Development Director
ryan.howlett@sdsufoundation.org
1.888.747.7378 (toll free)