View this email in your browser

What's New?

Throughout the pandemic, the Children’s Museum of Skagit County has followed the guidelines from the federal, state and local level. Therefore, beginning March 12th masks will no longer be required in the Museum. Visitors, members, students and CMSC employees will be able to choose whether or not they want to wear a mask on a voluntary basis. We will support and respect anyone who continues to wear a mask, with the understanding that people may have health or family concerns, or other reasons for wearing them.

We will continue with the same hours and timed ticketing for the remainder of the month of March. Updates will be posted on our website and social media regarding upcoming changes to our operating schedules, and when we’ll be restarting Birthday Parties/Celebrations.

This week the Museum Explorer's Preschool students made their own worm bins! Have you checked out the worm bin in the Museum?

Brain Architects - Building Resilience with Play

This week we are sharing a wonderful podcast from Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child.

"These days, resilience is needed more than ever, and one simple, underrecognized way of supporting healthy and resilient child development is as old as humanity itself: play. Far from frivolous, play contributes to sturdy brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience, yet its importance is often overlooked.

In this podcast, Dr. Jack Shonkoff explains the role of play in supporting resilience and five experts share their ideas and personal stories about applying the science of play in homes, communities, and crisis environments around the world."

Click here to listen to the podcast.

The Museum Toy Store is full of all kinds of fun and educational toys... and remember, CMSC Members receive 10% off purchases!

Visiting CMSC

● The Museum is open to Members and Non-Members --> Click here for membership info

● Masks are required for everyone aged 3+ --> Click here for all COVID protocols & procedures

● By entering the Museum, visitors accept the health waiver and agree to follow the Visitor Code of Conduct

● Current hours: Tuesday-Saturday Sessions 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm, Wednesday 10am-12pm & 1pm-5pm --> Click here to make a reservation
**Unexpected closures due to weather or sickness may happen with no notice**

Community Resources

● Help Me Grow - Skagit Family Resource Center is based at the Children's Museum of Skagit County and provides basic needs items, early learning kits & connections to other services. Call or text 360 230 9129 or visit HelpMeGrowSkagit.com.
● Need a COVID vaccine or test?
>  Click here for information on COVID vaccines, testing sites and other important information from the Skagit County's website.
>  Click here to order free at-home rapid tests via USPS.
>  Click here to check your eligibility for free at-home rapid tests from Washington State.
● FEMA, in partnership with the Washington State Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, has opened a Disaster Recovery Center in Skagit County to help survivors of the November flooding and mudslides. The center is located at Old Sedro-Woolley Library, 802 Ball Street, Sedro-Woolley, WA. Open Monday to Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday noon-6pm. Click here for details.
● Burlington Healthy Communities Coalition has been bringing together youth and adults for over 30 years to support and promote healthy environments and opportunities for all youth to gain skills and receive positive recognition in order to prevent and reduce youth substance use. The BHCC is a partnership of schools, families, and community members representing the diversity of the broader Burlington area. Visit https://burlingtonhcc.org/ to learn more.
● Need help paying for childcare? The Emergency Child Care Voucher Program, supported by the Opportunity Council, might be able to help. Parents and caregivers can apply for temporary assistance to help pay for current or past due child care bills and to help alleviate financial crisis. Visit www.ccanorthwest.org/assistance  or call (360) 603-0202 for more information.

● Skagit Perinatal Support: From Expecting to the Unexpected. An 8-week peer support group for the sometimes difficult transition to parenthood sponsored by United Way of Skagit County's Welcome Baby initiative - Got questions? Addelle.Diedesch@gmail.com 360.399.0771 - Downtown Mount Vernon - 325 Pine Street - 11:00 – 12:30PM - Tuesdays Jan 4, 2022 – Feb 22, 2022 - Tuesdays April 12, - May 31, 2022

CMSC on YouTube

Sponsored by Banner Bank

Learn about the parts of an airplane with Certified Flight Instructor Mike Dyberg of Dyberg Aviation
-----
Check out what our YouTube Channel has to offer! Put some Science Saturday into your holiday meals! Get moving and stretching with Ms. Jill's preschool yoga! See all the other cool channels we follow!

Click here to go to our channel!

During the pandemic, CMSC Educators developed Activities@Home - instructions and supply lists are available in the Camps & Classes section of our website!

More about CMSC

Updates and info about current hours, upcoming events, membership, parties, camps and more are on o ur website and social media outlets.

Support CMSC

Designate the Children's Museum of Skagit County with the following businesses:
● Amazon Smile - same products, same prices, same service! Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to CMSC.
● Fred Meyer Community Rewards - Fred Meyer donates annually to participating organizations based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Fred Meyer Community Rewards organizations.
● Other ways to support - direct donations, sponsorships and gifts in kind are always welcome. Contact us to learn more.

Copyright © 2022 Children's Museum of Skagit County, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.