Explorations V Childrens Museum, Inc.
Explorations V Childrens Museum, Inc.
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About this organization
Mission
The mission of Explorations V Children’s Museum is to provide a hands-on, fun-filled adventure in learning for children and their families through cultural exhibits, educational programs and events in the arts and sciences. In 1991, Explorations V set out to foster creativity & encourage imaginative play among families. Now, over 25 years later it has served over 1.5 million children and families through exhibits, educator-directed programs, outreach, and family support initiatives. THE NEED·50% of Polk County children entering kindergarten are not fully ready to learn. (United Way Central FL; Polk County Public Schools) ·67% of Polk’s students qualify for Free/Reduced Lunches (Polk County School Board May 2014). ·30% of FL households fall short of what’s needed to consistently cover basic costs (ALICE Report-2012) ·Family income is a greater indicator of school success or failure than any factor. (PCSB) - There is a 30 million word gap for children living in low income homes compared to their peers A SOLUTIONA Congressional economic survey found that every $1 invested in a child yields an $8 return. The more the Museum invests in children, the greater return for Central Florida. Children in low income households have a 30 million word gap compared to their peers. The Museum creates engaging learning opportunities and educator-directed experiences that introduce new vocabulary, enforce the ideas, and help the child walk away with new knowledge. Research shows that the stronger the vocabulary going into kindergarten the greater an opportunity for success. In targeted intervention programs like the Museum's Storybook Summer Camp, the Museum sees significant gains. On average, 83% Pre K children and 77% elementary students from low income homes doubled learning gains and met improvement goals measured by national Peabody Testing. Ten years ago, the Museum looked at the family as a whole and learned that poverty in Polk County was often prolonged because of single events. A tire blows out or rent increases and suddenly the family finds themselves homeless or unable to buy food. Children are not imune to these stresses and they contribute to a child's ability to learn and focus in school. The Museum's solution was to create a family budget planning program. Over 850 families have attended the Museum’s Financial Fitness for Families programs to date and work to achieve a $300 savings account and/or improved credit scores, obtained a job credential and/or employment. It is through these highlighted programs, our three floors of interactive exhibits, and outreach to over 100,000 people each year that we serve our mission and the children of Central Florida.
About
EXPLORATIONS V CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, INC. (THE "MUSEUM") PROVIDES A HANDS-ON, FUN-FILLED ADVENTURE IN LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH CULTURAL EXHIBITS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES. THE MUSEUM, A 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS THE ONLY HANDS-ON MUSEUM IN POLK COUNTY DEDICATED TO THE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE MUSEUM CELEBRATES THE FIVE (V) SENSES AND MAKES EDUCATIONAL EXPLORATION AVAILABLE TO ALL BY FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND ENCOURAGING IMAGINATIVE PLAY TOGETHER.THE MUSEUM OPENED IN DOWNTOWN LAKELAND, FLORIDA, IN 1991 AND PURCHASED THE FOUR-STORY HISTORIC KRESS BUILDING IN 1998. A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN ENSUED AND THE NEW MUSEUM DEBUTED IN 2000. THE MUSEUM PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, GOVERNMENTS, CIVIC GROUPS, INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS LIKE DISNEY, PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS CHARITIES, UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, BAY NEWS 9 / SPECTRUM AND PROGRAMS LIKE BORN LEARNING, SUCCESS BY 6 AND MANY OTHERS TO PROVIDE ENGAGING PROGRAMS. THE MUSEUM IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 9:00AM - 5:30PM. ADMISSION FEES ARE $9 PER PERSON OR $90 FOR AN ANNUAL FAMILY MEMBERSHIP. CHILDREN UNDER TWO ARE FREE. REDUCED PRICING IS AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS, SENIORS, MILITARY AND TEACHERS. THE MUSEUM IS A "MUSEUMS FOR ALL" FACILITY, PROVIDING ACCESS FOR FAMILIES WITH EBT CARDS FOR $3 ADMISSION.FIRST FLOOR EXHIBITS FEATURE THE VOCABULARY-RICH "OUR TOWN" WITH OVER EIGHTEEN EXHIBITS. LOWER FLOOR EXHIBITS INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO LOCAL HISTORY AND THE WORLD THROUGH "O" IS FOR ORANGES, FROM SEED TO OUR WORLD. THE SECOND FLOOR FEATURES EARLY SCIENCE INTERACTIVES, A SMALL CHILDREN'S ART GALLERY AND MEETING, PARTY AND PROGRAM ROOMS HOSTING DAILY PROGRAMS, FIELD TRIP WORKSHOPS, AFTER SCHOOL/HOME SCHOOL WORKSHOPS, OUT-OF-SCHOOL CAMPS, AND BIRTHDAY/AFTER HOURS PARTIES. THE THIRD FLOOR FEATURES TUTORING AND TEST PREP SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AGES KINDERGARTEN TO ADULT IN ONE-TO-ONE AND GROUP SESSIONS. ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED IN ALL SUBJECT AREAS PLUS FSA, SAT, ACT AND END-OF-COURSE EXAM PREP.THE MUSEUM IS AN APPROVED FIELD TRIP DESTINATION FOR SEVERAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND ATTRACTS HOME-SCHOOL FAMILIES, DAYCARES, SCOUTS, TEEN PARENT PROGRAMS, MEMBERS, LOCALS AND TOURISTS. EXHIBITS APPEAL TO VISITORS AGES BIRTH TO TWELVE AND THEIR FAMILIES. DAILY IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS ARE FUN AND INCLUSIVE AND PROMOTE SKILLS NEEDED FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION, ACADEMIC READINESS AND ADVANCEMENT AND SOCIAL PROBLEM SOLVING. THE MUSEUM CONDUCTS OFF-SITE PROGRAMS INCLUDING FREE WEEKLY PROGRAMS AT FAMILY FUNDAMENTALS, A CENTER FOR THE WORKING UNINSURED. ALL EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS COMPLEMENT FLORIDA STANDARDS.EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE INCLUSIVE, USING ART, MUSIC, LITERACY & SCIENCE ACTIVITIES TO FOCUS ON CRUCIAL DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS WHILE MODELING APPROPRIATE PRACTICES & LANGUAGE FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS AND CAREGIVERS. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE DEMONSTRATING MEASURABLE GAINS IN THE ART AND SCIENCE BASED PROGRAMS OF EXPLORATIONS V. AN AVERAGE OF 83% OF PRE K CHILDREN AND 77% OF ELEMENTARY STUDENTS MET IMPROVEMENT GOALS BY DOUBLING THEIR LEARNING GAINS AS MEASURED BY THE NATIONALLY-NORMED PEABODY TESTING UPON COMPLETION OF MUSEUM PROGRAMS.HAVING CONDUCTED SUCCESSFUL LITERACY PROGRAMS RESULTING IN MEASURABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN SCHOOL READINESS SINCE 2008, THE MUSEUM UNDERSTANDS THAT POVERTY IS THE #1 PREDICTOR OF SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN SCHOOL. IN A COMMUNITY WITH A VERY HIGH POVERTY RATE, THE MUSEUM BEGAN OFFERING FINANCIAL EDUCATION CLASSES FOR FAMILIES IN 2010. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA AND LOCAL BANKS, THESE PROGRAMS HELP FAMILIES ACHIEVE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND ARE NOW OFFERED COUNTYWIDE AT PARTNER AGENCIES AND AREA WORKPLACES.IN FISCAL YEAR 2018, THE MUSEUM TRACKED 46,295 ADMISSIONS, 18,187 PROGRAM ATTENDEES AND 87,888 AT OUTREACH EFFORTS FOR A TOTAL IMPACT OF 152,370 VISITORS. APPROXIMATELY 23.8% OF ADMISSIONS WERE COMPLIMENTARY THROUGH THE BLUE STAR PROGRAM, SMITHSONIAN FREE DAY, POLK COUNTY FAMILY WEEK, AND AS GRANTS WERE OBTAINED THAT ALLOWED MANY TO ATTEND PROGRAMS AT LOW OR NO COST.
Interesting data from their 2019 990 filing
In the filing, the mission of the non-profit is noted as “To provide a hands-on, fun-filled adventure in learning for children and families through cultural exhibits, educational programs and events in the arts & sciences.”.
When referring to its responsibilities, they were outlined as: “To provide a hands-on, fun-filled adventure in learning for children and families.”.
- The state in which the non-profit is legally registered to operate is FL, as per legal records.
- The filing documents the non-profit's address in 2019 as 109 N KENTUCKY AVENUE, LAKELAND, FL, 33801.
- According to the non-profit's form, they have 27 employees on their payroll as of 2019.
- Is not a private foundation.
- Expenses are between $500,000 and $1,000,000+.
- Revenue is between $500,000 and $1,000,000+.
- Revenue less expenses is -$60,133.
- The organization has 11 independent voting members.
- The organization was formed in 1990.
- The organization pays $414,328 in salary, compensation, and benefits to its employees.
- The organization pays $33,146 in fundraising expenses.
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