Bubble Creek Children's Museum
Bubble Creek Children's Museum will provide a safe, fun, educational environment where all children can engage in play.
Project Description
Bubble Creek Children's Museum will provide a safe, fun, educational environment where ALL children can engage in play, science education and community stewardship.
My name is Melissa Guillet and I am the founder of Bubble Creek Children's Museum. In my area, there is not venue where children and families from all backgrounds and abilities can play together and support each other.
WHAT IS AN INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND?
A universally designed, sensory-rich environment that enables children to develop physically, socially and emotionally. An engaging place that provides the just-right level of challenge and offers opportunities to succeed. A place that goes beyond minimum accessibility to create play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests.*www.playsi.com
There are lovely museums located in Dallas and Ft. Worth; however, they are buried deep within the city and these areas are plagued with intense traffic. Once families have fought through traffic and parking delays they will wait in lengthy lines and pay high admittance fees.
During my time as an educator (and parent) I have noticed that most museums are geared towards an older audience. My students and children were not inspired by walking around displays - which made for an expensive and empty museum trip. I also noticed that it was hard for special needs children to engage in inclusive play. It is my goal to change the museum experience through active, inclusive play for children of all physical and cognizant capabilities. For example, tandem swings and quieter sensory areas.
Sensory Play
Our sensory play panels help children to further develop their senses with self-led exploration. The high-touch panels provide multiple ways to grow cognitive, tactile, sensory/motor, emotional/social and language skills, and invite children to play with each other and use
their imaginations.
This museum will be unique in its layout and activities.
For example, the infant area will also be used a new mom’s support area to help fight post-partum depression.
The DFW area is growing exponentially. The area (30 minute drive time) studied for prospective museum sites has grown exponentially since 1990 now totaling a little over 1.3 million as of July 2018 and is projected to hit 1.4 million in the next two years. 12% (approximately 160,000) of the population is under 14 years of age. The target audience will be infant to young adult with aspirations to add high school level material when the museum is stable.
The Association of Children’s Museum reports that it takes about 1.6 million to start a children’s museum in the US. I wish to begin fundraising as much of this amount as possible. It is my hope to apply for more grants and loans as the museum stabilizes in order to grow the program. At this time, it makes more financial sense to rent and then save for land to be used at a later time. Renting allows me to invest in the exhibits which run between $200-550 per square foot depending on how interactive the exhibits are designed. The initial museum will be between 4000-8000 sq /feet depending on the best price options during time of contract. It will include a bubble infant/toddler room, an older toddler room, water table exhibit, make-believe play stations, an indoor playground, pollinator garden and bird aviary.
Melissa Guillet – BA, MA, Museum Director
Jennifer Schnell BA, MA Board of Directors -specializing in Finance
Christina Jones BA, MA Board of Directors specializing in Pediatric Counseling
Lexi Furlong BA, MA Board of Directors specializing in Pediatric Special Needs Counseling
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What age range does the museum target? Infant to 12 yrs.
- What type of exhibits will be featured? A bubble room for smaller children, water tables, indoor climbing unit, make-believe play, pollinators exhibit, rescued birds feeding exhibit.
- Are there any special programs? I hope to establish a support group for new mothers in order to battle postpartum depression and baby blues.
- What makes Bubble Creek Children's Museum different? Our museum strives to make every exhibit extremely interactive for each child. Children with special needs are encouraged to participate. Bubble Creek has quieter sensory areas for children with noise aversion. Additionally, tandem physical apparatuses are incorporated in the more physically engaging exhibits.
Just Because I Care
Supporters will receive a white t-shirt with the Bubble Creek Children's Museum Logo.
Handmade bracelet.
A family of four will receive free admission for a day at Bubble Creek Children's Museum.
You will receive one 20 minute one-on-one creature feature session facilitated by the museum staff for a group of four individuals. You will learn about the animal's habitat and what makes them so special. You may also choose to pet and participate in feeding the creature. Please note that the creature may not be hungry at the time of your visit.
A perennial plant that pollinators find desirable will be planted with your name or business name.
A bird house fitting to a specific species will be added to the aviary in your name.
A tree or shrub appropriate for the bird species will be planted in your name.
An exhibit will be named after you or your company.
A bird will be rescued from local shelters and rescue groups in your name.
A large exhibit will be named after you or your organization.
Rewards
Just Because I Care
Supporters will receive a white t-shirt with the Bubble Creek Children's Museum Logo.
Handmade bracelet.
A family of four will receive free admission for a day at Bubble Creek Children's Museum.
You will receive one 20 minute one-on-one creature feature session facilitated by the museum staff for a group of four individuals. You will learn about the animal's habitat and what makes them so special. You may also choose to pet and participate in feeding the creature. Please note that the creature may not be hungry at the time of your visit.
A perennial plant that pollinators find desirable will be planted with your name or business name.
A bird house fitting to a specific species will be added to the aviary in your name.
A tree or shrub appropriate for the bird species will be planted in your name.
An exhibit will be named after you or your company.
A bird will be rescued from local shelters and rescue groups in your name.
A large exhibit will be named after you or your organization.