The Great Outdoors…Indoors?
June 2, 2014
GREENVILLE, SC – The Children’s Museum of the Upstate (TCMU) presents an exciting new summer exhibit that opens to the public on Saturday, June 14th and runs through the summer until Labor Day. THE GREAT OUTDOORS celebrates the wildlife and natural resources indigenous to the Upstate of South Carolina.
Visitors can set up “Camp TCMU”, test a real kayak, count tree rings, learn survival skills and even track animals. There will be fun programs, activities and special guests throughout the summer such as the popular PBS Naturalist Rudy Manke, who will make an appearance on Saturday, July 12th. There’s also a live broadcast on Sunday, June 28th from noon to 2pm with WORD 106.3’s “Upstate Outdoors” radio show featuring Tommy and Phillip. Since opening weekend is also Father’s Day weekend, there will be special festivities both days with free admission to Dad’s and Grandfathers on Sunday, June 15th. Members are invited to an exclusive member preview party on Friday night prior to opening day.
Designed and built internally, the exhibit marks a milestone for the young museum, which turns 5 years old this summer. Credit goes to David Wood, Director of Operations & Exhibits and Bernie Crawford, Operations Manager, both avid outdoors-men. They were able to pull from their own experiences to create a durable yet realistic exhibit about the outdoors…indoors. All of this while maintaining the 80,000 square foot museum. “Creating an exhibit of this magnitude is a huge step forward in the museum’s growth,” says David. “Special thanks to our friends at Cabela’s who provided some of the elements and gear for the exhibit.”
“We are so excited to share this original exhibit celebrating the Upstate with our guests,” states Nancy Halverson, President and CEO. “But I am most proud of the creative and collaborative process of our talented team that made exhibit possible.”
Karen Burnham, the museum’s Program Manager and Early Education Specialist is excited to build fun and educational programming around the exhibit. “Young children thrive in the outdoors and this exhibit will hopefully inspire families to get outside and explore nature together. It will be great fun for the kids in summer camp and visitors to the area, as well as something new for members.”
A new exhibit is brought into the traveling exhibit gallery located on the third floor of the museum three times per year: spring, summer and fall. Up next, Grossology:The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body, which opens on Sept 13. Based on the popular children’s book, this exhibit will run through the remainder of the year.
Press are invited to attend the member preview on Friday, June 13th from 6-8pm or opening weekend festivities. To request a media pass, please email [email protected].
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate sparks a lifelong passion for curiosity and learning through play.
