Children’s Discovery Center ~ newsletter items ~ “Discover It!” (September - December 2008) Address ~ NEW LOCATION! 332 8th Avenue South Phone 563-243-3600 Admission: $4 per person & under two (free) ~ Seniors are $3.00 Children must be accompanied by an adult. *** Admission prices beginning October 1, 2008 will be: $4 per person and seniors (65 +) $3 Email: discoverycenter@qwestoffice.net Web site (under construction): www.adlerdiscoverycenter.org Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (10 – 4) ~ Sunday (1– 4) Mission statement: The Children’s Discovery Center is a non-profit organization providing a safe and positive environment for families to discover the world by exploring arts, culture, and science through interactive and educational exhibits. Thanks to all who attended our September 6 GRAND OPENING & the “Block Party” on September 25th…and to all who have visited our NEW permanent “A-Mazing Airways” exhibit! ________________________________________________________________________ SATURDAY SCHEDULE: October 18, 2008 (1:00 PM) “Windmill Presentation for the family” ~ Terry Dingmon will tell about Fulton’s Windmill (appropriate for school age children, parents, and community members). There will be windmill snacks and pinwheel craft. November 1, 2008 (1:00) – Search & Rescue dogs! Join Bill & Lois Hall, along with Rescue dogs “Trax,” “Hawk,” & “Deker” to learn the fascinating world of Search and Rescue dogs and all the wonderful assistance they offer for our community. The day will be complete with Scooby Snacks, famous dog stories, and canine crafts. November 22, 2008 – Thanksgiving crafts & family game day! Crafts and games will be available throughout the day. Bring your family and friends for a day of interactive fun with the Center’s exhibits + games and crafts. December 13, 2008 (1:00) – Christmas Carols, Cocoa, and Crafts…Celebrate the season with refreshments, crafts, and song. Area musicians will lead us in songs of the season on the Center’s Steinway! *** Special “Admission” for these special Saturday events is a contribution of consumable items frequently used at the Center (Examples: Trash bags (13 gal. or 39 gal.), Kleenex, baby wipes, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, Lysol spray, dry erase markers, paper towels, etc.) Other special Center events & offerings: October 31, 2008 (3:00-5:00) Participate in the Downtown Partnership’s Trick-or-Treat time! Parents and Grandparents may also have their child photographed at the Children’s Discovery Center. Jean Black with “dear charlie photography” will be at the Center from 3:00-5:00 photographing children in their Halloween costumes. (Cost: $12 for one 5x7 and four wallets.) November 7 (7 PM) ~ KROS “Team Trivia” at the Odeon… The Center will be a non-profit recipient of this Team Trivia night. November 17th ~ Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Bring your family and meet your friends at Pizza Ranch for supper. The Children’s Discovery Center will receive 10% of the profits and tips from 4-8 PM. We hope to see you at the Pizza Ranch on Monday November 17th! Sunday November 23, 2008: ~ “Downtown Open House” (12:00 – 4:00) Enjoy free carriage rides, hot cocoa, cookies, and Christmas music… *Have your child’s photo taken in holiday outfits! Jean Black, with dear charlie photography, will be available from 1:00 – 3:00. Please call 243.3600 or email discoverycenter@qwestoffice.net to reserve an appointment. Cost will be $12 for a 5x7 and four wallets. Reading Program: The “early out” reading program continues on WEDNESDAYS (1:30-3:30). This is sponsored by Target and children are admitted free of charge. Children (grades K-3) engage in literacy activities, crafts, science, games, and experience more than 25 exhibits. Parents are welcome to stay for the program. Program begins Wednesday October ____. ************************************************************************ THE CENTER WILL BE CLOSED on the following dates: Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2008) Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day (December 24th and 25th, 2008) New Year’s Day (January 1, 2009) ************************************************************************ “Buy a Brick” campaign. Your contribution to the center is tax-deductible, as the Discovery Center is a 501c 3 (non-profit) organization. All contributions helped with matching funds for our “CAT” Grant award from Vision Iowa! Thank you for your investment. * The Children’s Discovery Center recognizes ADM (five-year Sponsor); CAT/Vision Iowa ($325,000 Grant); CCCDA ($200,000 pledge for relocation/building); ICC (Iowa Community Cultural) Grant (for Director/staff salaries); Hy-Vee (sold $2,015 in “bricks” + matched $2,000); United Way (“Leap to Literacy”)…and each of our individual donors! NEW in 2008! *** “Leap Frog” Literacy program is funded by United Way and is now available. Increase children’s reading readiness and literacy skills and have fun while exploring learning with your child! *** “A-MAZING AIRWAYS” – a unique action-filled science and sensory exhibit for children and families – a new PERMANENT EXHIBIT. Visit www.mindsplash.net for more information. This new exhibit was acquired with funding from the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Clinton County Community Development Association, and the Pearson Foundation. ________________________________________________________________________ TRAVELING EXHIBIT! The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center will provide the Center with a special traveling exhibit about the circulatory system! DATES: December 22, 2008 – January 5, 2009 _____________________________________________________________ Birthday parties and field trips: Please schedule your next field trip, birthday party, or Scout group outing at the Discovery Center. Call 563-243-3600 to reserve a time. Birthday parties are $50 (Times: Saturdays 10:30 – 12:00; 1:00 – 2:30; 3:30 – 5:00; and Sundays: 1:00 – 2:30; 3:30 – 5:00) OR by appointment. $25 deposit required to secure date. ************************************************************************ The Children’s Discovery Center was voted Top Choice in the “places for children 12 & under” division in the 2008 Clinton Herald Reader’s Choice Awards. If it is your first or fiftieth visit, experience the Discovery Center and see why voters chose the Discovery Center as their favorite place for children! ************************************************************************ The Kapla block exhibit is enjoyed by many and is a permanent addition at the Center. Come and spend some time creating and building with family and friends! Our Center is the only museum or children’s center in Iowa with a Kapla block exhibit. ________________________________________________________________________ Valued volunteers… The Center appreciates all of our volunteers and realizes we could not offer such a great place for children without many dedicated and wonderful volunteers. We welcome back past volunteers and invite new volunteers. Those willing to face paint would really be welcome. Parties and events on weekends require many creative hands! Call us & join the fun as we establish our 2008-2009 schedules for our valued volunteers. THANKS! VOLUNTEER TRAINING & ORIENTATION! – The Children’s Discovery Center relies on the volunteer efforts of many people. With our recent move, we have doubled our size, increased our events rooms to two, and have welcomed thousands of new visitors to Clinton! Please consider volunteering at the Center. We will be having two special events for new volunteers: Thursday October 16th (5:30-7:00) & Sunday October 26th (3:30-5:00) Location: 332 8th Ave. South (Children’s Discovery Center) Please join the Center’s Staff and Board to begin volunteering at the Center. Do you like working and playing with children? Is reading to a child one of your specialties? Can you face paint? Would you be interested in making calls or assisting with mailings? If you have two hours per week/month to invest in the community and encourage a child, we invite you and your family, friends, church group, or youth group to join us either or both of these dates! * Refreshments will be served! * Prizes! * Meet with “veteran” volunteers, sign up to volunteer, and see all the Center has to offer. GIFT SHOP: When shopping for birthdays and special occasions, keep the Children’s Discovery Center in mind for gift-giving ideas! Our gift shop has a variety of gift giving ideas: Kapla blocks can be purchased for gifts or family fun! The Discovery Center now sells Brio© train and track pieces, “Melissa & Doug” items, Odyssey toys, and books, as well as other quality infant, toddler, and children’s toys! Yearly MEMBERSHIPS available: New prices in effect October 1, 2008 Individual = $40 Grandparent = $50 Family = $60 Childcare Provider = $85 “Reciprocal” (ACM) family memberships = $100. The Children’s Discovery Center is part of the Association of Children’s Museums. This enables reciprocal members to enjoy the Discovery Center all year long, and visit 150 other children’s museums and centers across the USA! View www.ChildrensMuseums.org for more information. Treat yourself and/or your family to the benefits of membership at the Discovery Center and experience the pleasure of unlimited visits to the Center. Connect with the Discovery Center via email! We’ll send announcements & e-newsletters on special events & programming ELECTRONICALLY. Please send a message to discoverycenter@qwestoffice.net and we will add you to our list to stay connected in this way. Sometimes we have special activities develop after newsletters are printed & we want you to join the fun! THANKS. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name: ____________________________ E-mail ______________________________ Address: ___________________________ City, State & Zip:______________________ Phone: ______________________________ I/We will “Buy a Brick” for $_________ to support the Children’s Discovery Center I/We pledge $ ________ to the Children’s Discovery Center Signature: _______________________________________ I/We want to purchase a membership: _____ $40 (Individual) _____ $50 (Grandparent) _____ $60 (Family) _____ $100 (ACM/Reciprocal Family) ______ $85 In-Home Daycare Provider Mail this form to P.O. Box 346. Clinton, IA 52732 *THANKS for your support! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------