POTSDAM -- The Continuing Education Association of New York awarded the 2016 James C. Hall Jr. Award for Outstanding Business/Organization Collaboration to the North Country Children's Museum, the Center for Lifelong Education and Recreation at SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University.

The North Country Children's Museum and the two universities were recognized for their Saturday Enrichment Programs, which create opportunities for area children to be exposed to new and meaningful educational experiences which otherwise would not be available to them.

This unique collaboration brings three local organizations together to serve children, by promoting wellness and encouraging exploration and discovery.

"The North Country Children's Museum is proud to work closely with our partners, Clarkson University and the Center for Lifelong Education and Recreation at SUNY Potsdam, to make our Saturday Enrichment Programs possible. Our three-way partnership demonstrates an unparalleled spirit of teamwork within the community," said Executive Director Sharon Vegh Williams.

The museum presents the content for the weekly Saturday Enrichment Programs, while Clarkson University provides space for the events at its downtown University Bookstore, and CLEAR at SUNY Potsdam provides support for registration and marketing. In the four years since this collaboration began, the museum has featured a wide selection of topics, including robotics, theatre and astronomy.

The North Country Children's Museum currently operates as a Museum Without Walls, presenting a range of programs for children ages 13 and under, along with their families, at regional festivals throughout the summer, in addition to the Saturday Enrichment Programs.

The museum hopes to occupy a physical space in historic downtown Potsdam in December 2017.