Childrens Discovery Museum

Overview

Since 2016, the Children’s Discovery Museum has been a place where curiosity comes alive and families grow stronger together. We are more than a building—we are a safe, welcoming hub where kids explore science, art, and imagination through play, and where parents and grandparents join the adventure.

In 2024, with the help of our community, we moved into the historic Catlin Elementary building through a partnership with the Kelso School District. This gave us more space, stronger partnerships, and a professional foundation to grow. Now, we are ready for the next step: Phase Two – Beyond Discovery: The Next Chapter.

The Next Chapter

This phase is all about deepening our role as an educational museum. We are rebranding to show that we are not a daycare or arcade—we are a place where education and fun meet. In 2025, we will expand programs to reach older kids and teens, extend our hours so more families can visit, and add exhibits and projects that inspire creativity and hands-on learning for all ages.

As one father recently said after our grand reopening, “The museum has always been about play, but now it’s targeted and purposeful. Education and play are intersecting here in a meaningful way, and I can see how this impacts families.”

Why This Matters

Cowlitz County faces real challenges. Nearly 16% of children live in poverty, and local schools report below-average proficiency rates in math, science, and language arts. Many families simply don’t have access to safe, enriching, and affordable educational opportunities.

The Children’s Discovery Museum helps bridge this gap. We provide free admission and ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the chance to learn, explore, and thrive. One single mother traveling from Salem told us, “We have a membership at OMSI, but we’re canceling it to come here instead. This place has everything my kids want.”

Community Voices

Families, volunteers, and community leaders see the difference we make every day:

• A grandfather shared, “I love bringing my grandkids here because it’s safe, welcoming, and full of activities we can do together. Every visit feels like a new adventure.”

• One father, after engaging in a simple Lincoln Log activity with his son, described how it became their special routine: “I put my phone down, and we just built and laughed together. Now every time we come, my son heads straight for the Lincoln Logs.”

• A longtime volunteer explained, “I see the museum as more than play—it’s a vital resource. Every week I bring my children here, and I know we’re helping other kids grow, too.”

These stories show what statistics cannot—the Children’s Discovery Museum changes lives.

Our Goal

This year, through Give More 24, we are raising $20,000 to fund the next steps of our growth. These funds will allow us to expand our hours, launch more teen-focused programs, introduce new exhibits, and host special community projects. Every dollar helps ensure that children in Cowlitz County have a place where fun and education work hand in hand.

How You Can Help

Your support makes this vision possible. When you give to the Children’s Discovery Museum, you are providing more than exhibits—you are giving families a safe place to connect, helping children discover their passions, and strengthening our community.

Every gift matters. Whether $20, $200, or $2,000, your donation brings us closer to our $20,000 goal. Together, we can go Beyond Discovery and build a brighter future for children and families across our region.