Save the Date! Tuesday, December 1, 2020
#GivingTuesday
We are partnering with the Branch County Community Foundation to create an online donation page for one day -- #GivingTuesday December 1, 2020. On this page you will be able to donate to over 15 different local non-profits in one stop!
Good Better Best Shop donates to the Museum
In its' first month of providing grants to non-profits and area teachers, the Good Better Best Shop donated $500 towards STEM programming at the Museum. "We are grateful for the support of our STEM programming. Originally part of our Museum programming, we are now transitioning these STEM projects to take home kits so that children may use the materials at home," said Kayla Gray, CMBC Board President.
Thank you Good Better Best!
Exhibit Expansion Fundraising Continues
Everbright, first of its kind in any Museum in Michigan
The CMBC wrapped up its annual USA Today/A Community Thrives Challenge on Mightycause.com by raising almost $8,000. "We are so grateful to the 31 donors who donated to our Exhibit Expansion online fundraiser, " said Kayla Gray, President of the CMBC Board. In addition to the online fundraiser, the CMBC was recently awarded a Community Good grant from the Branch County Community Foundation and from the Walmart Distribution Center toward the Everbright Exhibit.
The picture to the right is of an Everbright, which is similar to a large lite-Brite except it has no removeable parts. The Everbright has disks that can be turned to create over 160 different colors which allows visitors to create any picture imaginable. The video, below right, gives a glimpse of Madelynn trying out the Everbright.
Once installed, the CMBC will be the first children's museum in Michigan to have an Everbright.
Future Exhibits include an Energy Bike Exhibit, BEAM Laser Floor, Coldwater community play buildings, and improvements to current exhibits.
Please consider making a donation to the CMBC for Exhibit Expansion so that we may continue to provide children of Branch County and the surrounding area with new, fun and educational exhibits. Visit Paypal by clicking the "Join Us" button to make a donation.
FRIENDS of the CMBC Support Museum
Kermit The Frog once said, "With good friends, you can't lose." We believe Kermit was right; good friends make everything better. The Children's Museum of Branch County is an interactive, hands-on learning environment serving the children and families of Branch County and the surrounding area for the past six years. Established this year, the FRIENDS of the CMBC is a group of businesses and individuals that wish to support the mission of the museum with an annual donation. These funds will be used to support programming and exhibit expansion. As a donor to this group, each FRIEND will be provided early registration for Special Events, discounts for Birthday and Private parties, invited to Member Only events and recognized as a FRIEND of the CMBC.
Your donation is providing thousands of children and their families in Branch County and the Tri-State area a safe place to EXPLORE, LEARN and GROW.
Kiwanis, Meijer, Jay Wright, Edward Jones and UCT #452
Become Sponsors
Recently, Kiwanis became an EXPLORE Sponsor which will be used for Museum support. “The Museum is open at a limited capacity. We continue to welcome children and families to play, explore and learn and appreciate the support from Kiwanis. They are champions of children in Branch County and the surrounding area. We are fortunate to have sponsors like Kiwanis and Meijer supporting the CMBC. In June, Meijer became a LEARN sponsor to help us with increased cleaning and sanitizing costs we have incurred because of COVID. Meijer has always supported the CMBC,” said Gray. Two new sponsors to the CMBC, Jay Wright - Edward Jones and UCT #452 became TINKER sponsors in September.
In addition to programming, the museum recently started the FRIENDS of the CMBC. “Kermit the Frog once said, ‘With good friends, you can’t lose.’ We believe Kermit was right, good friends make everything better. Our FRIENDS of the CMBC support our mission of education through play because they appreciate the positive impact it has on our children and the economic benefits to Branch County by hosting visitors from Western Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and recently, as far away as Connecticut,” said Shana Grife, CMBC Board Member.
Businesses or organizations interested in becoming Sponsors or FRIENDS of the CMBC and supporting the development of children in Branch County and the surrounding area should contact the CMBC at 517-227-5571. Information is also available under the SUPPORT CMBC tab at the top of this page. The Museum is open Wednesday 10 am - 2 pm & 4-7 pm, Thursday 10 am - 2 pm, Friday 10 am - 2 pm and Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Admission is $5 per child.
Rosy the Lion Visits CMBC
"Rosy the Lion" was created by Anderson Elementary second grader, Ariana Vargas and is part of the Kids Art Rocks! program, a community celebration of student art sponsored by Tibbits Boosters and Arts Alive. Each year businesses or community members sponsor the art which is hung in a business for a year allowing the community to enjoy the student art. Community members Stan and Judy Bushouse leased this piece of student art to be displayed at the Children's Museum of Branch County. Please come and see Ariana's wonderful work and thank you Stan and Judy Bushouse for your support of the CMBC and Kids Art Rocks!
Masks FOR SALE
The CMBC has a selection of masks for children available. Each mask is $3 and can be purchased at the Museum.
Museum Adjusts Schedule Due to COVID restrictions Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020
Due to the most recent restrictions imposed by Governor Whitmer, the Museum will be having scheduled 90 minute playtimes either by reserving a time on our Facebook page or by calling 517-227-5571 to reserve a time slot. We will be thoroughly cleaning/sanitizing the Museum after every playtime.
Hand sanitizer is available throughout the museum.
Cleaning supplies will be available throughout the museum for visitors to use before/after they visit an exhibit if they wish.
Visitors over the age of 5 are required to wear masks except for situations that include a medical condition. Masks are available to purchase at the CMBC for $3.
If you would like to schedule a party, please contact the museum so we can discuss details.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Check out our new Wind Tunnel!
As the only museum of its kind in a 35 mile radius, the Children’s Museum of Branch County has been busy this Summer refreshing current exhibit space and adding new exhibits for young children to enjoy. “We are excited to have added some new elements to the CMBC over the past few months. In addition to what we have recently added, we have many more exhibits in the planning stages right now,” said Melissa Austin, Treasurer of the CMBC Board.
With the addition of a Wind Tunnel, a scale for the Health Center, and a banking area, the Children’s Museum of Branch County has expanded its exhibit area over the past few months. The Wind Tunnel was designed specifically for children
Exhibit Expansion Increases Offerings for Children
to learn the movement of air. Designed with a clear tube and fan below, children can experiment with natural wind currents by adjusting the speed and direction of the airflow. The wind tunnel examines drag and force by using various materials such as packing peanuts, tissue paper, play silks and coffee filters. “Children are fascinated by exploring what amount of air is needed to make the items fly in the air,” said Kayla Gray, President of the CMBC Board.
Volunteers Needed!
Do you like to paint? Are you handy with a hammer and saw? We have some small projects around the Museum that could use some "finishing touches." Please contact the Museum at 517.227.5571 for more information.
Children's Museum Partners with BCCF with Museums For All!
The Children's Museum of Branch County partnered with the Branch County Community Foundation on the Museums For All! initiative which helped develop and implement the nationwide program at CMBC. Museums For All! focuses on providing access to hundreds of museums across the country at a reduced rate for Bridge Card holders. Click on the button to watch a short video and learn more about the program.
FREE DAY
SPONSORHIPS
The museum is able to offer FREE DAYS each month thanks to the support of many businesses..
UPCOMING
FREE DAYS
Interested in how you can sponsor a FREE DAY at the museum?
We are pausing our FREE Days for the time being. We apologize for the inconvenience. We hope to be able to offer these days again soon.
Check us out on Facebook for our most recent information regarding activities at the CMBC
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*Special Pricing for Bridge Card Holders
