Where Playful Adventures Begin!

The Trailhead was originally founded by a group of local parents recognizing the need for a place for young children to learn and creatively play, especially during our long cold winters. We believe children need a place to be physically active while learning about science, art and music at the same time.

The Board of Directors and staff of The Trailhead have been busy choosing and designing permanent indoor exhibits, and raising the money and knowledge needed to make the dream of a destination children’s museum a reality. Our building, which will be located at 618 Gothic Avenue in Crested Butte, Colorado, is scheduled to break ground in the spring of 2010 with an estimated opening of early 2011.

We hope you will join us in making The Trailhead a special part of your child’s life and help us give children the opportunity to play in the sandbox all year-round!

 What is a Children's Museum or Discovery Center?

Children’s Museums are cultural institutions committed to serving the needs and interests of childrenby providing exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity and motivate learning.

 The Power of Play

“We are beginning to demonstrate that children really are like little scientists. They use the same kind of techniques -– testing hypotheses, doing experiments, figuring out the result of those experiments -that scientists use.  But, the important thing is that the way they do it is in their play.”

Young children learn about the world around them through play.  Play gives children opportunities to express ideas and emotions, interact with others, take on new roles, and solve problems. 

Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically during the early years of life. 

 

 

 

 

Our Mission

The mission of The Trailhead Discovery Museum & Arts Center is to nourish the imagination and creativity of children by appealing to their senses of curiosity and fun.  The Trailhead’s purpose is to serve the needs of Gunnison County’s children, their families and educators as a place of learning and discovery through exhibits and programs in the arts, sciences, and creative play.

Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, said it best, “Play is the way for children to learn who they are, how the world works, solve problems and to express feelings.  Yes, play is the real work of childhood and for young people today.”  We hope you will join us in our mission of learning through play and creating the perfect place for children to climb, crawl, create messy art, discover hands-on science, explore history and culture, play music, build a sandcastle, and use their imaginations – at the new Trailhead Discovery Museum & Arts Center.

Our History

While the building that will house The Trailhead received Crested Butte’s Board of Zoning and Architectural Review’s approval in November (groundbreaking at 618 Gothic Avenue is scheduled for this June), the Board of Directors has been busy researching the best exhibits and interactive displays that will find their home here – an exciting and daunting process.  The Trailhead has also hosted a successful Family Fun Night at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts with the exhibits we already have: a mobile puppet theatre and its accompanying puppets of indigenous wildlife; a Wedgits building block zone; a Magic of Magnets table; a Yuck Table for creating “slime” through an experiment in glue and Borax; see-thru art easels; and the Tots-in-Motion exercise equipment.  Tots-in-Motion has already been a weekly movement class offered to parents of young children, ages 0-3 years old, since this fall.  This class has been held at the CB South Sunset room and is filled to capacity every week. 

Board of Directors

• Kara Miller, President & Founder
  
• Barb Hammond, Secretary
• Sharalee Pederson, Treasurer
• Katie Mueller
• Diana Ralston
• Annie Starr
• Tara Wirsing
  

Staff

• Meike Meissner, Development Coordinator
• Kelly Frimmel, Artistic Coordinator
• Katie Heller, Program Coordinator
• Ross Tunkey, Program Coordinator