After a four-year closure, the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert (CDMoD) will finally reopen at 10:00 am on Friday, May 24. Shuttered since the beginning of the pandemic, the museum is at the completion of Phase One of its five-phase “Re-Imagination” campaign. During the closure of the facility, the CDMoD Board of Directors initiated a program to prioritize steps for the future of the organization, including an overhaul of the exhibits.
Beginning Memorial Day Weekend, the public will have hands-on access to the new exhibits in The Main Gallery (Building One) which was renewed to create a whimsical, creative, and exciting space for 0- to 8-year-olds. The space includes creative ways to “Imagine,” “Express,” “Move,” “Experiment,” “Explore” and “Dream.” Nearly 40 new exhibits have been created for the six themed program areas by Hands On! Studios, the same designers of the museum’s original exhibits.
The museum will be open all Memorial Day Weekend, starting at 10:00 am on Friday, May 24 and will include Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10-5 each day. Regular operating hours will begin immediately following the holiday weekend. The museum will be open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm from Monday to Saturday throughout the year (except posted holidays). Museum admission will be $19.95 ages 1 and up (children and adults).
While the museum will be open, a few finishing touches are still to be completed. Specialty exhibits for the toddler area and the sensory-friendly area will be installed in June, opening to the public on July 1. When all exhibits are fully installed and operational, a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration will be planned for early Fall.
Summer Camps will begin on Monday June 10, 2021, and are available for nine weeks throughout the summer with a different theme each week. Fun themes include Jurassic Journey, Superhero Academy, Ocean Adventures and Artventure Quest. Camps are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for kids from 5-10 years old. Register at www.cdmod.org
A variety of membership levels for the museum are available at www.cdmod.org to suit every size of family. Prices start at $115 for one adult and one child. Members receive unlimited admission for one year, invitations to members-only events and special events. Additional membership benefits include discounts in the gift shop, complimentary guest passes and advanced registration for select events.
Upon reopening, the museum will also be a Certified Autism Center as part of its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Museum staff have already completed training on Sensory Sensitivity Awareness to achieve the certification. Resources for families will be available and include Sensory Bags, Sensory Guides that describe the type and level of stimulation of each exhibit and a Serenity Space, a private room for families to use to encourage calm in the event of a meltdown.
The organization achieved the $3 million budget of Phase One through the combination of tireless fundraising efforts and a loan from First Bank. “We are grateful to the generous donors who have provided the foundation for our Re-Imagination campaign,” states museum CEO, Cindy Burreson. “We are also grateful to our partners at First Bank who have provided a streamlined path to reopening our doors to the community.” Fundraising continues to be an essential need for the museum and many opportunities are available to provide financial support.
Other ways to support the museum include volunteer opportunities, which are available for adults and older kids, ages 12-17. Volunteers will assist in several ways such as interaction with families and museum exhibits, at Summer Camps, with story time, arts and crafts and more.
In the long term, the five phases of the Re-Imagination Campaign will include a renovation of all three existing buildings, a building expansion, new construction, and an exterior plan. Ultimately, the goal is to expand experiences and programming to include all ages and family members.
To contribute to the fundraising efforts of the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert’s Re-Imagination Campaign, go to: https://cdmod.org/get-involved/donate/
