Bend, Ore. – The Children’s Museum of Central Oregon (CMCO) will celebrate the launch of their $3M Capital Campaign Saturday (Jan. 23rd) during Science Spectacular, a day of family fun, and the Jubilee, its kickoff fundraiser.
The Science Spectacular pop up museum will feature science demonstrations and creative projects including: making an electric car, mask creation, egg drop competition, toothpick bridge competition and lift your parent pulley station. Admission to the event is free and open to all ages from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Following a day of science fun, join the Museum from 7 to 10 pm at Armature for an evening of merriment, live music from the Boxcar String Band, food and drinks, science displays and conceptual drawings of the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon. Board members will also be on-hand to discuss how CMCO will become a reality for the community. Tickets are $60 in advance and $75 at the door, and all funds raised during this event will serve as the foundation of the Capital Campaign.
The $3M Capital Campaign is set with established benchmarks at $50,000, $1M and $1.5M and will focus on raising funds for securing a physical space, building out the museum space, operation for two years and creating the foundation for a stable and permanent fixture for the Central Oregon community.
CMCO intends to secure an approximately 40,000 sq ft space close to the downtown area. The space will include a children’s theater, hands on science exploration hall with changing exhibits (the MESS hall: Math, Engineering, Science and Stuff), a clay room, a creative painting room, and a large “free choice” play area. Also included in this vision are two classrooms to host pre-school through middle school classes, and three open rooms for rentals for special events and birthday parties. Services provided to the community would include a full time educational staff that will work in the community, camp programming, and programs in performance art, studio arts, science, engineering, inventing/making for for 4- to 12-yr-olds.
CMCO will work with local non-profits serving the community to ensure that gaps in programming and needs are filled, and to not duplicate existing resources. The organization will also serve as a resource for other non-profits in terms of space, materials and staffing when needed.
For more information or to purchase tickets to the Jubilee, visit www.childrensmuseumcentraloregon.org. Armature is located at 50 SE Scott St. in Bend. Tickets for the evening are limited.
