I have been terribly remiss in telling you all about an exciting new sponsorhsip awarded to the Children's Museum of the North Bay in June by the Junior League of Napa Sonoma.  The VERY hard working woman (and their husbands behind the scenes) of this wonderful organization gave the CMNB $35,000 to be used over 3 years towards the development of the MUSUEUM-ON-THE-GO!  We are so thankful for their help and support!  As a result, we are now looking for a Director of Programs and Education, and yes, it is a paid position.  See our job opportunities page for more information.
And again, thank you to the wonderful woman of the JLNS for their support!

I can't believe it's already end of June!  So much has happened.  We attended the annual Children's Museum conference in Denver this year back in late April, and had an amazing experience exploring their children's museum as well as their wonderful downtown pedestrian street mall.  Denver has had a children's museum for 25 years now and it's become an amazing community resource serving over 250,000 visitors a year in a little over 25,000sf of space!  One of the things I liked most was the prototyping area where they try out all their new exhibits in raw form.  They were prototyping a bubble making machine that made my jaw drop - it was so cleverly designed.  I want one in our museum!   They also had a cloud making machine where four people at a time can make clouds using dry ice and soap.  This is something we do at the MIG all the time on a smaller scale, so I guess we're on the right track.
Once again our fellow colleagues from all over the country and the world were there, and it was great to chat about all things related to children's museums.  My batteries were definitely recharged.
Since my last posting, we've also made some excellent progress towards a permanent site.  More on that to come soon!  Stay tuned.

I just want to take a moment to thank all the wonderful volunteers who have helped to make the Children's Museum of the North Bay a reality.  As many of you can imagine, it is a huge undertaking to start a museum of any kind.  And yes, you have to be just a tad bit crazy to take it on; however, starting a museum cannot be done alone!  It takes the vision, commitment, and hard work of many, many volunteers to make it really happen.  I'm so grateful to the many people who have given of their precious time to help the museum become a reality.  I'm also grateful to the their families who have sacrificed time with their loved ones so that the MOG could be staffed for another event!
It's because of the tireless efforts of so many volunteers that the CMNB exists and the MOG has become a wonderful success!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!  

Are you wondering what the Brainy Bugs Club is all about!  Well, let me explain!  Every year the Volunteer Center of Sonoma holds the Human Race, which is a 3K, and 10K run to raise money for nonprofits all over Sonoma County.  What makes this event special, besides the fact that hundreds of families show up to walk in the 3K, is that entire teams dress up in whacky costumes.  Prizes are given away to the teams with the most spirit and imaginative costumes. 

So this year, we thought it woud be fun to start the Brainy Bugs Club and encourage children and their parents to come dressed as their favorite bug character complete with hand-made antennae (head sculpture) made from recycled newspapers. 

Please join us this year on May 10th and collect pledges ahead of time for the Children's Museum of the North Bay.  Our target amount is $10,000 towards the continuing operations of the Museum-on-the-Go into Schools.  Our long term goal is to fully fund this program so that we can offer it to schools and teachers free of charge. 
Help us reach our Human Race goal and walk or run as part of the Brainy Bugs Club!

Also, join us on March 29th at Fleet Feet Sports in Santa Rosa where Museum volunteers will be helping children and parents make Brainy Bug Antennae.  Check out the calendar for more information.

If you'd like more information, please email info@childrensmuseumNB.org or eleanor@childrensmuseumNB.org.

Hope to see you soon at one of our upcoming events!

I'm excited to announce that today the Children's Museum of the North Bay's MOG paid a visit to Mary Collins School @ Cherry Valley.  Two kindergarten classes enjoyed and discovered hands-on science exhibits and took part in a science demonstration.

Bringing the MOG to schools has been a goal of mine and the Board of Trustees for a long time, and is integral to the long term vision for the museum.  We researched the State and Federal Curriculum Standards to ensure the MOG exhibits fully meet them.  Both teachers and parents can be rest assured the MOG is FUN and EDUCATIONAL!

A huge shout of thanks goes to my partner in crime, Theresa Giacomino, Exhibit and Educational Committee Chair.  Despite the museum's van getting stuck in mud and having to walk exhibits across a muddy field so that we could go forward with the school visit, Theresa was a bastion of positive thinking and determination.

If you're interested in having the MOG visit your school, please contact Theresa@childrensmuseumnb.org!