The mission of the Children’s Museum of Skagit County is to provide an interactive learning environment to promote, encourage and increase an understanding of the arts, science and culture among children, youth, families and educators in Skagit County.
The Children’s Museum of Skagit County was founded in 2000, by a small group of parents and community members who sought to enhance the lives of children in Skagit County by providing extraordinary experiences in learning. Through educational exhibits and events, the Museum provides a hands-on learning and explorational experience for children from birth through twelve years old. We strive to nurture learning experiences between children and their families, and to encourage growth through innovative and creative experiences.
The Children’s Museum of Skagit County is dedicated to providing an interactive learning environment to promote, encourage and increase
an understanding of science, technology, engineering, art, math, culture and literature among the children, youth, families and educators in Skagit County and beyond. The Childrens Museum of Skagit County (CMSC) has been in operation since October of 2003. After starting out as the result of community hands-on support, we outgrew our location in downtown Mount Vernon, WA. We moved to the Cascade Mall in April 2008, grew and thrived for 11 years there, doubling our annual attendance, increasing the diversity of our members and visitors, and added new programs. In the fall of 2013 we began the Museum Explorers Preschool program. In August 2018 changes necessitated another move, this time to The Outlet Shoppes at Burlington and we opened in March 2019. Again we doubled our size and are on track to double our attendance, triple our membership and continue to add new programs, plus an event space.
Each year, the museum serves approximately 70,000 visitors, and thousands more through their on-going partnerships with other community agencies and outreach at community events. The primary targeted ages for the museum are birth to age 10-12; we have members of literally all ages, including members in their 90’s. The Museum serves children of all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, and strives to meet the needs of Skagit County’s 11.1% of the population that falls below the poverty level. Scholarships are granted for field trips to schools who meet the criteria of percentage of students participating in the free and reduced lunch program. With Community Free Days once a month and a policy of providing admission passes, memberships, supervised visitations, field trips, and birthday parties to the community’s homeless children, the Children’s Museum of Skagit County is a place that is accessible to all.
Take a peek at our advertising video to see all the Children’s Museum has to offer.
Anna Holm, President, Business Owner, The Apothecary Spa
Vicki Aslett, Vice President Community Organizer/Frankie Fire Engine
Maura Jurenka, Secretary Music and Elementary Educator
Tracey Levine, Co-Founder, Past-President Freelance television, Sports/Golf
B.J. Larson, DDS, Acting Treasurer, Past President Pediatric Dentist
Tracy Duncan, Member Real Estate Professional
Lynda Clements, PhD, Member Educational Trainor
Karen Beckner, Member Real Estate Professional/Early Learning
Dawn Latimer, Member Business Owner, Mister T’s Awards & Embroidery
Lena Beamer, Member Marketing & Events, Swinomish Casino & Lodge
Dave Hillman, Member Landscape & Construction Contractor
Taya Zavala, Member Social Worker
Juan Farias Torres, Member Puget Sound Energy
Cate Anderson
Kelly Hawkins Graphic Artist
Rick Levine, MD Pediatric Physician
Jill Hilde, Finance & Bookkeeping
Steve Padgett, CPA Finance & Tax
Howard A. Anderson Technical Advisor/ Electrical Contractor
Jessica Bylund, PhD Data Coordinator
Charlie Wend Retired, Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
Jennifer Sass-Walton Public Health & Safety
About Non-Profit: The Children’s Museum of Skagit County is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. In addition to our earned revenue from admissions, field trips, memberships, celebrations and events, we rely on the generous support of individual and corporate donors and sponsors, foundations, state and local government grants and countless other financial and in-kind supporters to keep the museum thriving. Whether you choose to be a contributing donor or sponsor, purchase a membership, volunteer your time, provide a service or any of the other ways that support can be given, your contributions are vital. Non-profits like the Children’s Museum support not only the community through our mission, also through our paid staff and their families, and contribute to the economy while also supporting the local businesses that we purchase supplies and services from. Skagit County: 11. Acknowledgement of Funding: All books, informational pamphlets, press releases, research reports, articles, requests for information, signs or other public notices developed for or referring to the activities or programs funded by this agreement shall include: a) The statement, ” This project received funding from Skagit County,” or similar language acknowledging Skagit County’ s funding contribution; and b) The web address www.VisitSkagitValley.com. Further, Recipient shall notify the County ( or Administrative Services) no later than two weeks before a dedication ceremony or public event for any activities or programs funded by this agreement. Recipient shall also make efforts to verbally acknowledge the County’ s contributions to the Recipient at all dedication ceremonies or other public events relating to any programs or projects funded by this agreement. City of Burlington: 2. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE PARTIES: This grant is for costs associated with marketing and/or operations of the Children’s Museum of Skagit County to potential visitors / tourists traveling for business or pleasure either (a) away from their place of residence or business and staying overnight in paid accommodations; (b) to a place fifty miles or more one way from their place of residence or business for the day or staying overnight; and/or ( c) from another country or state outside of their place of residence or their business. Marketing will include brochures, radio and print advertising, electronic communication, website and social media. The Children’s Museum of Skagit County website, and any brochures or print media paid for with these funds, must include a listing of and link to Burlington lodging establishments. A condition of approval for payment will require providing copies of advertising, expenditures and web links that clearly demonstrates compliance with the terms included in this section. The Children’s Museum of Skagit County City of Burlington Lodging Tax funding application is attached to this contract as Attachment “A” and serves as a reference to depict the type of tourism promotion activities anticipated to be implemented under this Agreement.
