Spring 2016 - Childrens Museum of Southeastern Connecticut

4THANNUAL
STORIES
GALORE
Stay Connected
April 18–22
Newsletter for the Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut
Volume 23 No. 3
Spring 2016
Spring Brings Stories Galore and
“Soccer Fun for Your Little One!”
Join us during the local schools’ Spring Break Week for our 4th
Annual Stories Galore, April 18-22. This year, we celebrate
children’s literature as we Read Around the Museum!
Each day a different museum exhibit will be the focus.
Visitors carry out a scavenger hunt for that exhibit and upon
completion each child can receive a book to take home
(while supplies last).
There is something
special for everyone
during this fun, weeklong celebration,
Monday-Friday,
April 18-22, 9:30-4:30 .
Free with admission.
STORIES
GALORE
Made possible in part with
sponsorship from Charter Oak
Federal Credit Union.
Try it for free on Thursday, April 14, 11:15-11:45. Call and
register to let us know your little one is coming!
Beginning Thursday, April 28, the museum hosts
HappyFeet’s 5-week series of 30-minutes classes, Thursdays
through May 19. The fee is
$60 per child. Please note,
this fee does not include
museum admission for
nonmembers who wish to
stay and play after class.
Preregistration with the
museum is required.
Call: 860.691.1111
Learn more about
HappyFeet, visit
happyfeetct.com
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Have your little ones experience
soccer like never before! We are
thrilled to have the engaging
and enthusiastic coaches of
g
Coach Don leadin
little ones in last
year’s HappyFeet
series!
HappyFeet of South Central CT
back at the museum this year!
HappyFeet is a nationally recognized and professionally developed child-fitness program
for children ages 2.5 and up. Your child will be introduced to
the wonderful world of soccer while they play fun games, sing
songs, and go on imaginary adventures with "Bob the Bobcat,” HappyFeet's special soccer ball.
NOTICE of SPECIAL HOURS:
Tues. May 31- Thurs. June 2, 2:30-6 pm
Delayed opening with extended hours due
to school field trips. Half-price admission.
Fri. June 3, 2:30-8 pm
Dollar Night with an early start!
The mission of the Children’s Museum of
Southeastern Connecticut is to encourage
learning and spark imagination by engaging children and all families through creative
and hands-on play in a safe and accessible
community environment.
Address:
409 Main Street
Niantic, CT 06357
Phone: 860.691.1111
Hours:
Tues.–Sat., 9:30-4:30
Sun., Noon-4:30
Save these dates for Family FUN!
Wednesday, March 2, 11 am-1 pm
National Read Across America Day!
Come join us in celebrating Dr.
Suess’s Birthday! Special activities with fun read aloud celebrating everyone’s favorite
children’s author!
Free with admission.
Website: www.cmsect.org
• • • • • •
Sunday, March 6, 2 pm
Museum Staff
Maple Sugaring Family Workshop!
Holly Cheeseman
Bring the family to the museum for a
hands-on (and tasty) workshop! Learn
the process of
making maple
syrup, including
how to tap a
maple tree at the
museum. Tree
cookie decorating and maple tasting
for everyone!
• Fee: $12/family (Museum admission is
optional. Pay if staying to play.)
• Space limited. Advance registration
required.
Executive Director
Amy Boudreaux
Education Coordinator
Kathy Duda
Visitor Services
Virginia “Ginger” Steiner
Visitor Services / Museum Educator
Julie Clements-Reagan
Graphics Coordinator
Sarah Bernhardson
Museum Educator
Patty Bryan
Museum Educator
Donna Dione
Museum Educator
Jennifer Dums
Museum Educator
Sarah Herrick
Museum Educator
Tara Miner
Museum Educator
Deb Weller
Bookkeeping
James Gillespie
Facilities and Maintenance
Board of Trustees
John Schweizer, President
Catherine O’Brien, Vice President
Art Tanner, Treasurer
Catherine A. Marrion, Secretary
Ellen Cummings
Nell Kleinhans
Matt Strekel
• • • • • •
Mothers’ Day / Fathers’ Day
Kids, bring Mom or Dad on their special day and they get in free!
Saturday, June 11, 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Connecticut Open House Day
Experience all the great state of
Connecticut has to offer.Visit the
museum and get $1 off
per person with proof of
Connecticut residency.
Monday, June 20
Start of Summer Hours!
We’re adding Mondays to your family
fun! Open 7 days a week during the
summer.
Friday, June 24, 5-7 pm
Museum Educator
Sarah Jolly-Ballantine
Sunday, May 8
and/or Sunday, June 19
Monday – Friday, April 18–22
Members Only Night
Stories Galore:
Read Around the Museum
A special evening for member families!
Enjoy family time at the
museum and save
room for pizza and
treats! The Rolling
Tomato will fire up the
brick oven for their outof-this-world pizza! This
evening is free to current CMSECT
members. Must RSVP by June 17.
Join us during local schools’ Spring
Break Week as we celebrate children’s literature! Free with admission
Friday, April 22, 10 am-12 pm
Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day learning about
pollution and ways in which to help the
Earth. Interactive
demonstrations using
our Enviroscape®
models, Watershed
and Waste Management, explore point and
non-point sources of pollution
and what happens to refuse after you
leave it at the curb.
Free with admission.
Summer Science Days
We hope to offer
Summer Science Days
again this year!
Stay tuned for updates
online and in the next
newsletter.
Toddlers
Late Winter & Spring Classes
Preschoolers
Toddler classes are informal opportunities
for toddlers to be part of a group. Each
class emphasizes process and exposure to
new and different materials, plus stories
and a craft. Five-week series of 45-minute
classes.
• Fee: $48 ($78 nonmember)
Together Time – toddler with caregiver.
• Best for ages 18 – 30 months
Little Artists’ Studio
Little Chefs: Cooking with Kids!
Five-weeks of 1-hour classes for 3-5 year
olds ready to attend alone. Each five week
series focuses on a different concept of art,
while integrating literacy and learning to
use different tools in the classroom to create truly unique masterpieces!
• Fee: $48 ($78 nonmember)
Five-weeks of 1-hour classes for 3-5 year
olds ready to attend alone. Children will
learn chemistry and math concepts as they
stir, mix, and bake their way through each
class. Literacy tie-ins and crafts included.
• Fee: $48 ($78 nonmember)
Tues., 10 am, March 15 – April 12
First Friends – toddler attending alone. > Textures in Art
• Best for ages 24 – 36 months
Wed., March 16 – April 13:
> It’s Spring!
Welcome in the change of seasons with
our spring themed class! Each week, elements of the season will be brought into
the classroom for children to investigate
and explore.
10 am: Together Time
11:15 am: First Friends
Wed., April 27 – May 25
> Ocean Explorers
Preschoolers love to explore using their
sense of touch, and this art class is full of
sensory experiences! Each week, children will use textured materials to create
then describe their works of art. What will
your child create?
Tues., 10 am, April 26 – May 24
> Sense-ible Art
Throughout this session, we use our 5
senses to delve into art! Each week we
explore sensory art concepts, such as
paint we can see, smell, and feel. We’ll
make art we can eat and even art we can
wear! Don’t miss this sensational class!
From crustaceans to the blue whale,
learn about different ocean creatures
each week! Lots of water play, crafts and
songs included!
Children explore scientific concepts through
10 am: Together Time
inquiry, hands-on activities, and literature.
11:15 am: First Friends
Offered in sessions to let your little one substantially explore a topic. Five-week, 1-hour
classes are for 3-5 year olds who are ready
to attend alone.
Registration Policy
• Fee: $48 ($78 nonmember)
All classes must be paid-in-full at the time
Wed., 1:30 pm, March 16 – April 13
of registration. If patrons need to withdraw
from class for any reason after that time,
they are issued a museum credit. MuAnimals are always a favorite and this
seum credit can be used toward future
class is no exception. Focused on the
classes, museum membership, or in the
friends that live with us, children explore
museum store. Classes need a minimum
different types of pets, pet needs, and
of five children. Refunds are only given in
how to take care of animals. Children inthe event a class is canceled due to low
teract with different animals and particienrollment. Nonmember fee includes mupate in making food and feeding times
seum admission for child unless stated.
during this class.
Integrated Science
> All About Pets
Please check class times/days carefully as
some may have changed. If registering by
phone (860.691.1111), please have a credit
card ready. Pay by cash, check, or credit
card if coming to the museum to register.
Thurs., 1 pm, March 17 – April 14
> Keeping it Cool
We focus on no-bake and no-cook
recipes. Children make then taste delicious dips, lips-smacking smoothies, and
munch on no-bake cookies. Kid-friendly
recipes sure to be a hit!
Thurs., 1 pm, April 28 – May 26
> Menus for Your Menagerie
Ready to give a Mouse a Cookie or a Cat
a Cupcake? We read and bake our way
through Laura Numeroff’s popular children’s books! Each week we’ll focus on a
favorite book and then make the treat that
appears in the story.
Jumpstart!
Once-a-month preschool class with focus
on a different topic to engage, inspire, and
motivate your child to learn, ask questions,
and seek answers! One hour class for children ages 3-5.
• Fee: $10 ($17 nonmember)
Friday, March 25, 10:30 am
Jumpstart! Force & Motion
While learning all about pushes, pulls, and
balance, students have a ball experimenting with simple machines such as ramps
and wheels. Come explore the concept of
movement!
• Must register by Friday, March 11.
Thursday, April 28, 10 am
Jumpstart! Marine Biology
Love marine animals and learning about
sea life? Join this one of a kind class, exploring crustaceans, seaweed, and life in
Dissect a seed, learn about the parts of a the ocean. Be prepared for some live
plant, conduct experiments to determine guests and lots of fun!
plant needs, and help plan then plant our • Must register by Thursday, April 14.
new museum garden!
Wed., 1:30 pm, April 27 – May 25
> Seed to Plant
PRSRT STD
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
NEW LONDON, CT
PERMIT NO. 3
409 Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357
Inside:
> Spring Break Activities
> Soccer Fun for Little Ones
> Late-Winter & Spring Classes
an d
> Summer Classes!
SCHOOL-AGE KIDS
SUMMER CLASSES!
SUMMER CLASSES
for TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS
Fee for each 3-week series: $30, $51 nonmember
Complete listing of Summer
Classes for toddlers through
school-age in next newsletter
and online!
Toddlers
Preschooler Science
Preschooler Art
Wednesdays, June 29-July 13
Mondays, June 27-July 11, 10 am
Tuesdays, June 28-July 10, 10 am
You never know who you might meet as we
check out different types of animals each
week. We look at insects, crustaceans, and
fish, by exploring habitats, learning facts,
conducting experiments and completing
projects. Be on the lookout for live guests!
Does your child love arts and crafts? Experiment with color, texture, and a different art
medium each week in this class that is designed to spark your child's imagination and
creativity. Lots of opportunities to explore
and create, along with many literacy tie-ins!
Summer Fun!
Join us for the best of summer! From sand to
bubbles, we explore the exciting days of
summer together through water and sensory play, crafts and songs!
Wednesdays, July 20-August 3
Zoo and You!
Animal Safari I
Mondays, July 18-August 1, 10 am
A fun, animal-themed session! Explore a
new animal each week while we go on a
II
safari, learn about farm animals, and learn Join us for a second round of animal fun durabout animal lives at the zoo! Lots of songs, ing Animal Safari II! We take a closer look at
sensory play, and crafts included!
reptiles, birds, and mammals. We learn
about animal homes and survival strategies,
Toddler Together Time, 10 am
as well as complete fun games and projects.
Animal Safari
Toddler First Friends, 11:15 am
Crafty Kids I
Crafty Kids II
Tuesdays, July 19-August 2, 10 am
Continue the colorful fun with Crafty Kids II!
New art techniques and new literacy tie-ins
are introduced as children work with color,
textures, and design works of art to take
home.