Mission
Glacier Children’s Museum’s mission is to inspire curiosity and discovery through play.
Vision
Our vision is to be a welcoming place for families to play together in an environment that nurtures growth through learning, curiosity, and problem-solving.
Current Status
Hello out there! Lately we’ve been asked, “When will be be able to go to the museum?” That’s an awesome question. There are two big things we are doing right now to be able to better answer that question in the near future. One of the primary focus of our board is to find the perfect real estate opportunity. Secondarily, we are closely observing how other museums are reopening to ensure that we can build a space that safely brings families and our community together through interactive exhibits and activities.
Location:
Our ultimate goal is to be in a facility that is 8,000 + square feet that has both an indoor and outdoor space. However, we have discussed starting in a smaller space as “phase 1” of our project. Principle criteria for a location/facility is a place that is centrally located for people from all over the valley, is affordable, has indoor as well as outdoor space, and has ample and easy parking. After conducting a local survey, we feel that a location in Kalispell will be most feasible.
Volunteers:
It is critical for this project that we have more people involved. We always love to work with volunteers that are working with our Board as we dive into the development of a new space and simultaneously participate in community events. We are also welcoming new board members!
If you are interested in becoming involved,
please contact us through the following emails.
- Events Committee: deciding on, creating activities for, and participating in, local events.
events@glacierchildrensmuseum.org - Fundraising/Sponsorship/Grants Committee: helping raise money in various ways to support development, programs, and operations (creating a founder’s program, writing grants, sponsorship packets).
Info@glacierchildrensmuseum.org - Development/Special Projects Committee: website, branding, policies, master plan, location.
development@glacierchildrensmuseum.org - Finance Committee: budgeting and financial operations (including taxes).
accounts@glacierchildrensmuseum.org - Exhibits Committee: creating museum themes, exhibits, as well as mobile outreach kits and programs.
exhibits@glacierchildrensmuseum.org - GCM Board: please email admin@
glacierchildrensmuseum.org for an application. - General Questions: info@glacierchildrensmuseum.
org.
Exhibits:
Most of our exhibits and materials are currently in storage (thank you to Nature Baby Outfitter for donating a space). Our current exhibit inventory includes our “Lookout!” fire lookout tower exhibit, a light/magnet easel, an extensive Earth and Space kit (that we were awarded from the NISE Network in February), Farm to Table play station, and several mobile kits that include science, art, engineering and trains. As we get closer to opening a physical space we are acquiring and building a lot of fun new exhibits. If you, or your business, are interested in becoming a sponsor for future exhibits please contact us at info@glacierchildrensmuseum.
Finance:
In 2021 we were awarded a grant from the Whitefish Community Foundation to help with our new Blue Blocks Exhibits. We have also been grateful to businesses such as MacKenzie River Pizza Company, MOD Pizza, Sweet Peaks, Montavino, Nature Baby Outfitter, Norm’s News, Imagination Station and Backslope Brewing that have held fundraisers for us, along with all the individuals that have been so generous. We are very grateful to you all. That being said, this project is a big one to get started. Initial investments for development and exhibits are still needed to get us to our reality of a new space ($500,000-1,000,000+ depending on the space and renovation costs). We are in the process of creating a larger fundraising platform that we are hoping to announce in the coming months. If you are interested in donating building materials/space/time or becoming a founding donor, please contact us at info@
Events:
As in person events are starting to emerge all over the valley in 2021 we are popping up with fun exhibits throughout the year.