Kids turn out to pop-up museum

Hundreds of children in Sisters enjoyed a pop-up version of a children’s museum that is seeking a more permanent spot in our region.

Children’s Museum of Central Oregon (CMCO) set up its mobile museum at Sisters Elementary School this past Saturday and Sunday.

Photo by Matt Van Slyke

Sisters first-grader Emery Oliver did some construction work at the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon, which staged a pop-up exhibition at Sisters Elementary School over the weekend.

More than a dozen exhibits allowed hands-on experience with art- and science-focused activities including spin art and “coding mice” – programmable robot toys that move according to children’s commands. In a pint-sized construction zone, kids in orange work vests and yellow hard hats pieced together interlocking roads and wooden-block buildings.

“The mission is to get these experiences out through all of Central Oregon,” said CMCO Program Manager Erica Segal. “We’ve been going to a bunch of elementary schools, either during the school day or for special events. We are working with Deschutes Public Libraries, and then simultaneously we are working on fundraising for a permanent space.”

Citizens4Community (C4C) sponsored the free event along with Circle of Friends, Sisters Parks & Recreation District, and Sisters Parent Teacher Council. Kellen Klein, executive director of C4C, counted more than 600 visitors over the two days.

“It’s clear there’s a hunger in the community for more kid-friendly activities like this,” Klein said. “We hope to bring CMCO back to town soon, and would love to partner with other groups and businesses to create more family-friendly experiences in Sisters Country.”

Photo by Matt Van Slyke

Beau Mortimore, age 4, explored the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon at Sisters Elementary School last weekend.

Founded in 2015, CMCO initially hosted summer camps and community-event booths. Momentum paused during the pandemic, then came a new board and a shift in focus toward a permanent museum space. Today, CMCO has a land agreement in north Bend, across Highway 97 from Trader Joe’s and the Cascade Village Shopping Center.

“We’re part of an 11-acre development that’s all family- and children-focused businesses. Other entities in that development have started breaking ground. I think COGA (Central Oregon Gymnastics Academy) is putting in another gym. A swim school is going in. There’s a skate park, a food truck lot – it’s going to be really cool,” Segal said.

CMCO is working with a museum design firm and raising millions of dollars to realize a vision.

“We came up with a visitor experience plan that is a STEAM-focused museum with hands-on exhibits that are place-based here in Central Oregon,” said board member Kenady Wilson. “We had an architecture team design the exhibits we want, and now we actually have a location.”

Klein tallied 614 attendees at the Sisters pop-up. He estimates about 400 kids came through.

“It was heartwarming seeing so many community members – plus families from as far away as La Pine – come out to play on a rainy weekend,” he said.

To support CMCO’s capital campaign with a donation, visit https://www.cmcoregon.org/donate.