Rockingham, NC, USA — In less than 100 days, Discovery Place, Inc. will launch a new adventure in learning through play when it opens Discovery Place KIDS–Rockingham to the public on Saturday, February 23, 2013. The 20,000 square foot museum, located in downtown Rockingham, will offer hands-on activities and exhibits that help children develop cognitive, motor, language, social and critical thinking skills as well as help them to build confidence while trying new things. This will be the second Discovery Place KIDS location, following the successful launch of the museum network in Huntersville, NC in 2010.
“This new museum will expand the reach of Discovery Place® learning experiences further across the state and will provide engaging, community-based, educational opportunities to the families of the Sandhills region,” said John Mackay, president and CEO, Discovery Place. “We are so excited to greet the smiling faces of children as they come through the doors and see the new Discovery Place KIDS for the first time.”
Exploring the theme of “I CAN”, Discovery Place KIDS–Rockingham will focus on developmentally-appropriate activities for children ages 0 – 10 that promote imagination, exploration and creativity. The exhibits will encourage experimentation, role-playing and innovation as well as physical activity. Live programming will include story time, puppet shows and lab experiments. Summer camps and birthday parties will be available, and reservations will begin to be accepted after the New Year. Educational offerings will include school field trips and classes and are currently being booked.
“Discovery Place KIDS will be a place where children – and their caregivers – can tinker and test and try in a space that encourages imagination and creativity,” said Katie Rohleder, director, Discovery Place KIDS–Rockingham. “It will be a fun and engaging learning environment, and while it looks like ‘play’, it is indeed the most important work of childhood.”
Discovery Place KIDS–Rockingham will officially open to the public on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Grand opening ceremonies will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the Museum will remain open until 5:00 p.m. Operating hours on Sunday, February 24 will be noon –5:00 p.m. Admission on both days will be half price; $4 for adults and children age one and older (younger than age one are free). Admission proceeds from the weekend will be designated to a fund that will provide future access to the Museum to those without the financial means to support a visit. The fund is not available for use during opening weekend.
Discovery Place KIDS–Rockingham’s regular operating hours will be Tuesday –Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m., Monday closed. Admission to Discovery Place KIDS is $8, younger than age one are free. All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout their visit. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.
The Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham project was launched by the commitment of $6.6 million in funds from the Cole Foundation and the Richmond Community Foundation. Their visionary leadership gifts, which were facilitated by The Foundation For The Carolinas, are intended for the long-term sustainability of the Museum.
About Discovery Place KIDS
Discovery Place KIDS is an innovative model in regional children’s museums developed by Discovery Place, Inc., the parent company of Discovery Place and Charlotte Nature Museum. Discovery Place KIDS is built on the theme of “I CAN” and offers unique opportunities for learning through play for children and their parents or caregivers.
About Discovery Place
One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage the public in the active exploration of science and nature. More than a half-million people from all over the United States visit Discovery Place, its IMAX® Dome Theatre and Charlotte Nature Museum each year. In June 2010, the Museum completed an 18-month, $31.6 million renovation, resulting in a completely transformed and re-imagined Museum with all-new interactive exhibits. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with operating support from the Arts & Science Council. Connect with Discovery Place on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. For more information about Discovery Place, visit discoveryplace.org.
