Thanks to generous sponsors, financial supporters, and donors, kids in Summit County are once again enjoying Mountain Top Explorium’s top-notch after school and school break programs. Since early January, dozens of students at Upper Blue and Breckenridge Elementary schools have participated in fun and engaging nature and STEM programs.
So far this semester, kids have enjoyed studying the phases of the moon, planet sizes and distances, making models of the solar system, and learning about weather. Students have also investigated the structure of snowflakes and the science of snow. They’ve explored their senses, tasting, smelling, and seeing all sorts of wondrous things. They have studied the power of wind by constructing windmills and experimenting with sails.
Aside from offering Summit County kids a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment, these programs are vital for families who need high quality care options. Of course, operating high quality enrichment programs and running a STEAM-focused, hands-on children’s museum involves significant costs for staff, facilities, and materials.
In fact, our costs for our after-school programs are currently averaging around $25 per student per day. With the help of our financial supporters, Mountain Top Explorium is truly able to be a “museum for all”. With the aid of donors and grants, we’re able to keep our cost for locals at $18 per student per day, offer scholarships as needed, and we’re able to offer our programs for a very low fee for students who qualify for free-and-reduced lunch.
We’d like to extend special thanks to all of our donors, sponsors, granting organizations and financial supporters. We’re especially grateful to: Summit Foundation, Vail Epic Promise - Breckenridge Resort, Town of Breckenridge, Breckenridge Grand Vacations, and Common Spirit for helping bring these great programs to our local families in an affordable and equitable way!
Mountain Top Explorium’s after school programs are hosted directly within Upper Blue and Breckenridge Elementary schools. School break programs are held at either Upper Blue or Breckenridge Elementary and are open to students across the district. Programs are offered on a sliding fee scale working to make the program accessible to students who need the program the most.
