About Us
Who we are
The mission of the Explorers Children’s Museums is to cultivate a life-long love of learning by providing opportunities to inspire the creative and intellectual potential of children through hands-on play. Explorers Children’s Museums is currently a 501(c)(3) fund holder within the Community Foundation of Jackson County and members of the Association of Children’s Museums, which serves as a resource to emerging and existing children’s museums across the country.
Our Vision
Explorers Children’s Museums provides children opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate exploratory play that stimulates physical, social, emotional and cognitive development, while cultivating creativity and interest in the arts and their world around them.
The goal of ECM is to be a regional children’s museum that ignites an interest in science, math, reading, dramatic play, and the arts.
Our History
Explorers Children’s Museums was founded as Jackson County Early Explorers in June 2018 when over 150 children and parents gathered for an outdoor nature-based exploration program. Over five weeks, children explored plants, animals, shadows, water, music, exercise, sensory activities, and team building. Early Explorers hosted special seasonal events throughout the year, including a Firefly Hike and Autumn Adventure that featured stories, songs, art, and physical activity.
Our Winter WONDERland Playroom transformed the vocational building at Cedar Lakes Conference Center into an indoor, interactive learning facility for children ages seven and under. It was funded by a Community Foundation of Jackson County grant, private donations, and membership and ticket sales. It ran entirely on volunteers including retired educators and early childhood education vocational students. The playroom attracted over 500 visits each year from children. The playroom design, Sensory Saturday events, and partnership with WV Read Aloud of Jackson County and WV Birth-3 allowed JCEE to accommodate children with a broad range of backgrounds and special needs. The playroom served as a pilot project to give caregivers and community leaders a small glimpse of what a children’s museum would look like and demonstrate the need for this type of programming in our region.