Here’s What’s Happening at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge in June
Garden Party Fundraiser
The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is holding a Garden Party fundraiser on Friday, June 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Willow Ridge Garden Center and Landscaping, 98 Oak Ridge Turnpike, in Oak Ridge.
Saturday, June 11, is the rain date. The Garden Party will feature a dinner catered by the Apple Blossom Café, wine and other beverages, a program about pollinator gardens by Greg Steele of Willow Ridge, and a chance to explore and shop at this private event. Tickets are $50 (plus a small processing fee) at http://bit.ly/cmorgardenparty22. There are no refunds unless the event is canceled by the Children’s Museum. Proceeds will support the Kids Go Green! Environmental Center and Gardens at the Children’s Museum. For more information, call the Museum at (865) 482-1074.
Blue Star Museum Program
As a Blue Star Museum, the Children’s Museum offers free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserves, from May 21, Armed Forces Day, through Labor Day. A list of Blue Star Museums across the U.S. can be seen at https://www.arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums.
Wonderful Wednesdays
The Children’s Museum is pleased to announce the return of its Wonderful Wednesdays program every Wednesday at 11 a.m. in June and July. Held in the Museum’s gym, each week features a different organization and themes ranging from STEM to community helpers to careers and more. The program will kick off on Sunday, June 8, with a family friendly performance by the Knoxville Opera.
The Magic of Musical Theatre will feature Jacqueline Brecheen, soprano and pianist Brian Salesky. Salesky is also the Knoxville Opera’s artistic director. Over the years, tens of thousands of students have enjoyed The Magic of Musical Theatre, a high energy, entertaining presentation. It will begin with a brief history of musical theatre and opera followed by selections from Broadway musicals and operettas in English, and foreign language opera classics. The program will conclude with a lively question and answer session, giving participants an opportunity to interact with the performers about their studies, music, voice, instruments, theatre and career opportunities in the performing arts. Wonderful Wednesdays are free with admission. Follow the Children’s Museum on social media for the complete summer schedule.
Father’s Day @ CMOR
Dads will receive free admission to the Children’s Museum on Father’s Day, June 19. The Museum will also feature a special Father’s Day craft for children that day. The Museum will be open from 1 until 4 p.m.
Sixth annual Summer Food Drive
This summer, the Children’s Museum is collecting donations of non-perishable food through July 31. Collected food will be distributed to a local pantry.
“Holding a summer food drive is a way for the community to know that we care. With rising costs there are more families in need than ever before, and this is a way for the Children’s Museum and its visitors to help,” Museum Executive Director Beth Shea said.
Shea suggested these items to donate:
Meals in a can (soup, stew, chili);
Tuna or canned chicken;
Peanut butter and jelly;
Canned foods with pop-top lids;
Canned fruit in its own juice or water;
Canned vegetables, especially low sodium;
Low-sugar whole grain cereals;
Healthy snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit).
People are asked to bring their items to the collection bin in the Museum’s lobby, and to not donate soda, candy, or items packaged in glass.
Imagination Station Summer Camp Program
This year marks the 48th year of summer programming at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. Registration is underway for CMOR’s Imagination Station Summer Camp. From art to gardening to physics to superheroes to STEAM, there are many sessions from which to choose. Camp runs from June 6 through July 22 and is for children rising into grades K-5. Children may attend for one week, several weeks, or all seven weeks. Thanks to generous donors, the Children’s Museum has scholarships for summer camp. Scholarships are for children who otherwise could not afford to attend, and there is an application that requires documentation of family income. For more information about summer camp sessions and fees, or the scholarship program contact the Children’s Museum at (865) 482-1074 or visit https://bit.ly/campatcmor. The following sessions still have openings.
For children rising into Grades K-2
SENSEational Art June 6-10, 1-4 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step into a painting and experience it with your senses? In this camp, we will step inside five famous works of art and smell the flowers, taste the fruit, feel the grass, hear the music, and see the colors. Then you will create your own SENSEational art.
Superhero Science June 13-17, 9 a.m.-noon
Calling all Superheroes for the adventure of the year! We’ll use teamwork, creativity, science, and expert problem solving to save the Children’s Museum from the mysterious Toy Thief! Campers will expand their imagination and crime-fighting skills while designing their own costume, crush bottles with their mind, rescue citizens from ice, move objects without touching them, navigate the superhero obstacle course, and more.
Art in the Garden June 13-17, 1-4 p.m.
Campers will enjoy time outdoors in the Kids Go Green! Environmental Center and Gardens using nature to make art. We will create tree bark texture murals, draw with light and shadows, use natural objects for printmaking, make wind chimes, and build bug sculptures. Connect with nature while exploring your artistic side during this wildly fun camp.
Art 1-2-3! June 20-24, 1-4 p.m.
Build your math skills as you explore famous works of art and create some art of your own. Play with shapes, learn about symmetry in art, see patterns in art from around the world, and cook up some edible Pollock-style splatter art.
Trainers Academy June 27-July 1, 9 a.m.-noon
Are you crazy about Pokémon? Whether you are a seasoned trainer or a new fan, this camp is for you! We will cook up some tasty Poke-themed delights, design our own Pokémon, create fun new habitats, go on a Poke hunt, and create artwork inspired by your favorite characters.
Amazing Africa June 27-July 1, 1-4 p.m.
Explore Africa as you taste the food, dance to the music, and meet the people of this vast continent. Campers will create a traditional mask, build a mud hut, explore the savannah, learn why Anansi has eight legs, and learn words from different African languages.
For children rising into Grades 3-5
Kids in Action Garden Club June 6-10, 9 a.m.-noon
Get your hands dirty! Prepare and plant a garden bed while learning about the wonders of nature in gardening. This camp will be full of exploratory ecology, hands-on nature activities, and gardening experiences.
CSI: Museum Edition June 6-10, 1-4 p.m.
In this forensics camp, you will learn how to analyze fingerprints, blood splatter data, DNA evidence, hairs, fibers and other pieces of crime scene evidence and create a composite sketch of the criminal. You will collect the evidence, record the data, conduct the tests, and solve the case!
BIG Art June 13-17, 9 a.m.-noon
Are you ready for some BIG art fun? Think big as you create collaborative murals, a life-sized self-portrait, larger-than-life sculptures, and more. What gargantuan art can you dream up?
Choose Your Side June 13-17, 1-4 p.m.
Will you be a superhero or a supervillain? Choose your side, design your disguise, and plan your powers. Practice your skills in the training course and then engage in epic battles. Create delicious snacks that will fuel your adventures and create a comic book about you!
Art Under a Microscope June 20-24, 9 a.m.-noon
Crazy about science and love art? Join us as we learn about different cell types and examine plants, animals, bacteria, protists, and fungi under the microscope. Then we will grab our art supplies and sketch, paint, and sculpt the microscopic worlds we discovered.
Treasure Hunters June 20-24, 1-4 p.m.
Treasures are everywhere if you know where to look! In this interdisciplinary camp, we will unearth the treasures of the world around us. Campers will dig for fossils, pan for gold, crack open geodes, examine animal bones for clues, reconstruct pottery shards, and wrap up the week with a treasure hunt. Move over Indy, a new crop of daring explorers has arrived to uncover fascinating treasures.
Kinesthetic Art June 27-July 1, 9 a.m.-noon
Are you ready for a moving art experience? Campers will splatter paint like Pollock, create action figures in the style of Keith Haring, dance to music while they paint with their feet, create action sculptures, and paint while swinging at the park.
Trainers Club June 27-July 1, 1-4 p.m.
Have you caught them all? Learn about the history and different types of Pokémon, their abilities, and their attacks while creating fun art, exploring STEM concepts, and meeting new players. Come and evolve to the next level of Pokémon training.
Stitch Stories July 5-8, 9 a.m.-noon
Join us as we examine quilts, fabric collages, and works by historic and contemporary textile artists for inspiration for your own stitch stories. Tell a story using yarn, fabric, buttons, and thread as you make weavings, collages, and other textile creations.
Time Machine July 5-8, 1-4 p.m.
Strap into CMOR’s time machine and visit ancient civilizations as we explore the culture, art, languages, foods, and traditions of Greece, Rome, China, Central America and Egypt. Design pottery, create pyramids, learn ancient alphabets, and create and feast on some ancient foods on our adventure through time.
Disgusting Science July 11-15, 9 a.m.-noon
Intrigued by the slimy, nasty, and gross side of STEAM? Join us as we investigate snot, bacteria, mold, slime and other gross aspects of our world. Along the way, we will whip up some gross edibles, dissect slimy things, and create disgusting art.
Jedi Training July 11-15, 1-4 p.m.
Have you ever dreamed of visiting Tatooine? Or joining General Leia’s resistance? During this fun-filled week, you will follow the clues to destroy the Death Star, blast Stormtroopers, rescue Han, use the Force, help Mando and Boba Fett defend Mos Espa, and hone your lightsaber skills while mastering the training course. Join us, you will.
Phantastic Physics July 18-22, 9 a.m.-noon
In this hands-on STEAM camp, we will learn how physics impacts our everyday lives as we investigate gravity, simple machines, friction, magnetism, and electricity. Campers will create circuits, build physics toys, play games, and create art using important physics concepts.
Minecraft Mania July 18-22, 1-4 p.m.
Crazy about Creepers? Serious about Steve? Then this camp is for you! Construct creepers, whip up some slimes, create 3D block art, learn the science behind game elements, and enjoy meeting other players as we explore the offline world of Minecraft.
Charlie’s Book Club
Charlie’s Book Club is taking a break in June and July. This program will return in August with more great books to give away. Be sure to visit your local public library or Little Free Library this summer and keep reading!
Other Regular Programs @ CMOR
Each week the museum has drop-in programs that are free and registration is not required. This is a great opportunity for children to get out of the house, play with others, or make music.
Toddler Playtime — Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-noon in the Preschool Room;
Crafty Wednesdays — Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. in the Discovery Lab;
Musical Mornings — Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon in the Music Room.
Third Sunday
On the third Sunday of each month, visitors can enjoy an Open House of the Museum’s outdoor Train Garden, Environmental Center and Solar House. Visitors can also meet members of the Knoxville Model Railroaders and visit their clubhouse. Members of the Oak Ridge Amateur Radio Club will be on hand in the Discovery Lab with radio equipment that visitors can explore.
COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge does not require visitors to wear face masks. Staff and volunteers are masked when in public areas of the museum or when working with the public.
Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is at 461 West Outer Drive. The phone number is (865) 482-1074
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 until 4 p.m. The Children’s Museum is closed on Mondays. Admission for adults is $8, seniors $7, Children ages 3-17 $6. Children ages two and younger and CMOR Members receive free admission. The website is http://childrensmuseumofoakridge.org.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Here’s What’s Happening at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge in June
