Release date: January 29, 2008

For additional information, please contact:

Lynne Jele, Marketing & Membership

Phone: 630-637-8000 ext. 2600

Educational Experts Available to Visitors

at DuPage Children's Museum

Naperville, IL – 2008 opens with a new program, offering special educational and resource opportunities for visitors at DuPage Children's Museum, thanks to generous support from the Topfer Family Foundation.

This new program brings the Museum’s behind-the-scenes expertise in early childhood and arts education right out in front, for the public. Early Childhood Specialist, Jayne Carpenter, and Interdisciplinary Arts Specialist, Marcia MacRae, are now scheduling time (mostly in the Family Resource Center and Wheel Works of Art on the upper level, in the three Young Explorers neighborhoods throughout the Museum and in the Studio on the main level) to talk with adult visitors about the value of play, the important ways that art can support learning, and other topics.

According to the Museum’s Director of Exhibits and Programs, Cynthia Mark-Hummel, “These scheduled times are meant as informal opportunities for adult visitors to have direct access to our own resident experts. They’re great to talk with. I always learn something new myself!” A sign will be placed at the main desk and Today’s Events signs will indicate who will be available and where. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to learn more about the schedule on any given day.

The Museum is one of the top children’s museums in the country and a top Chicago area cultural attraction. “DuPage Children's Museum helps kids learn to succeed and is focused on providing the best quality educational experiences for children and the adults who support their learning,” Executive Director Susan Broad said, “We are excited about being able to offer these new services, made possible by the Topfer Family Foundation.”

DUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:

DuPage Children's Museum helps kids learn how to succeed. Throughout any given day, hundreds of visitors come through the Big Red Door of the Museum to engage in three floors of fun, hands-on activities. It is a playful environment where children 6 months to 10 years old and the important adults in their lives learn and play together in thoughtfully planned “neighborhoods”, with exhibits and programs designed to promote skill development in math, science and the arts. It helps prepare them for a future where curiosity, creative thinking, imaginative problem solving and learning skills will be needed to interact with technology that is yet to be invented, to solve problems we can’t imagine and work in new kinds of jobs that don’t exist today.

DuPage Children’s Museum, a top Chicago area cultural attraction, is the place where learning comes in to play™! The Museum is a non-profit organization and depends on donations and sponsorships each year, for over $4 of every $10 of its annual budget. Your support helps us reach families and makes a difference in the lives of thousands of children in our community. Thank you for all you do!

Location: 301 N. Washington Street

Naperville, IL 60540

Phone: 630-637-8000

Hours* Monday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sunday: 12 - 5 p.m.

*Call for special seasonal hours.

General Admission: $7.50 per person, ages one through 59.

$6.50 per person, ages 60 and over.

Admission is never charged to shop the Explorer Store.

Free Parking. Wheelchair Accessible. Quick walk from Naperville Metra Station.

Annual Memberships: Several types of memberships and gift memberships are available. Please visit www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org or call 630-637-8000 for more information.

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