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Museum News – August 2019
Featured Events
Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Celebrate cultures from around the world (and around your neighborhood), through art-making, foodways, folklore, music, and dance. All activities are free with museum admission. View the list of activities.
Other Programs
Wednesday, August 7, 5–8 p.m.
On the first open Wednesday night of each month, we invite our entire community to enjoy the museum for free. This Free Family Night, join Madison Contemporary Dance, under the direction of Sara Rohs, for a short performance and a creative movement dance class. All ages are welcome. No registration or prior dance training needed.
Free Family Night is a great time for first-time visitors to enjoy the museum and is a popular time for older children to return to visit their favorite exhibits. Free Family Night is an Access for Everyone program. Learn more about Free Family Nights.
Wednesday, August 14, 5–8 p.m.
Join us for visiting hours just for children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or sensory challenges. Sensory-Friendly Museum Times are free to all attendees. Pre-registration is not required, but pre-registered families will be able to take advantage of express check-in.Learn more and register online.
Meet the Museum Staff
Cheryl DeWelt, Environmental Education Manager
Cheryl DeWelt grew up no stranger to change and adaptation—she went to fourteen different schools as a child. As an adult she has had a wide variety of careers, including as a naturalist guide, running her own in-home daycare, and building exhibits and running programs for the Cave of the Mounds. In 1998, Cheryl was asked to be on the advisory committee of the museum when we created the First Feats exhibit, because of her extensive experience connecting children with nature and natural materials. She proved an invaluable ally, and the museum contracted with her to help develop many of our first exhibits in the new building (where we are now!). She joined the museum’s staff formally in 2008 as our early learning manager.
Cheryl is most proud of serving on the team that built the Wildernest. She constructed the huts out of mud, thatched the roofs, grouted the tiles, built the bone-bridge, and much more. A few years ago, Cheryl transitioned to what is still probably the best job title the museum ever had: living things manager. Since then her job has expanded and her title has become the slightly more descriptive environmental education manager. In this role, Cheryl continues to be responsible for all the living things that make their home at the museum: planning, planting, and caring for the gardens and green spaces, and caring for and training the animals. She also runs programs for kids focused on environmental education, natural sciences, animals, horticulture, permaculture, and urban ecology.
Cheryl enjoys how her work is never the same from day to day, and especially enjoys working with the kids. “They’re so inquisitive, interesting, and excited!” You can find Cheryl teaching, caring for the rooftop plants and animals, or working in her office in the Rooftop Clubhouse, which she recently helped build as part of our ongoing renovation of the Rooftop Ramble.
Become a Museum Member!
Madison Children’s Museum membership offers more than just a year of unlimited admission; it’s your family’s invitation to exclusive events, exciting classes, special discounts, and more. And you can take your membership on the road, where you’ll get free or half-priced admission to hundreds of museums and science centers. Learn about these and other benefits and pick your membership level online.
Discounted Memberships
Families of first babies under 18 months of age are eligible for our free, First-Time Parent Membership program. Reduced-price Family Access Memberships are also available.
August Education Programs
Our talented and expert education staff offer high-quality programs and activities, including music, art, and crafting workshops—available to all visitors with the price of admission!
NEW Museum Transformations: To combat end-of-summer boredom, we’re creating TWO limited-time experiences. August 12–16 visit the Glow Zone for fairy-tale themed crafts brought to life through the magic of black lights! Then, August 26–30, come back for the return of our popular Amaze-Maze, where we transform the room into a kid-sized 3-D maze made out of recycled materials. View our event calendar for exact times and details.
STEAM Sundays: Stimulate creativity and curiosity with programs designed to develop skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
Mondays: Early Explorers Day features programs designed to support the growing minds and bodies of our youngest visitors, from birth through preschool.
Tuesdays–Fridays:Exploration Stations at 10 a.m. and Maker Spacesat 1 p.m. Each week will offer hands-on activities inspired by a new theme. Other programs may also be added, so keep an eye on the calendar!
Special Events Saturdays: We’re keeping the Saturday schedule clear for special events like Folklife Festival on August 24. Also, join us for special programs on the rooftop that explore nature, urban gardening, and more! Check the daily schedule for details.
No pre-registration is needed for museum general admission programs; just check our schedule and come to what appeals to you and your child!
Madison Children’s Museum connects children with their families, their communities,
and the world beyond through discovery learning and creative play.
and the world beyond through discovery learning and creative play.
