WE’RE ON A MISSION TO

SPARK STRENGTHEN AND BUILD

Our mission is to shine a bright light on the power of play to spark children’s learning, strengthen families, and build community connections. Our dynamic, interactive environments are a gateway to the world and its people for children and families of all backgrounds.

LEARN HOW WE DO IT

WELCOME
BIENVENIDA
SOO DHAWOOW

We welcome children and families of all backgrounds to create, explore, discover, and be inspired through our programs and interactive environments. We believe in the power of inclusion and invite you to read our Open Letter on Diversity to learn more about our commitment to equity and representation.

SO MANY WAYS TO

PLAY AND LEARN!

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Exhibits and Environments

that engage children and adults in interactive, self-directed, shared learning experiences.

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Timely Initiatives

with partners to offer activities that build awareness and deepen our impact.

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Outreach Activities

that bring our offerings to parks, festivals, schools, and other community venues.

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Live Programs

workshops, performances, and field trips facilitated by staff, volunteers, and guest presenters for hands-on exploration.

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A Co-Learning Resource Center

that supports shared learning opportunities with higher education institutions.

MEET OUR TEAM

  • Cassie Miles
    Chief Executive Officer
  • Kelly Doss
    Vice President of Development
  • Jon Noyes
    Vice President of Operations
  • Nancy Riens
    Guest Experience Manager
  • Hailey Thielen
    Communications Specialist

MEET OUR

BOARD MEMBERS

  • Becky Coborn
    Community Advocate
    and former Parent Educator
  • Buddy King
    Executive Director
    Higher Works Collaborative
  • Dr. Glen Palm
    Board Chair
    Professor Emeritus
    Early Childhood & Family Studies
    St. Cloud State University
  • Greg Reigstad
    Treasurer
    Retired Instructor and Administrator
    St. Cloud Tech & Community College
  • Dr. Heidi Everett
    Secretary
    Professor of Strategic Communications
    St. Cloud State University
  • Jane Ellison
    Early Childhood
    Mental Health Specialist
  • Jerry Von Korff
    Attorney
    Rinke Noonan Law Firm
  • Mardi Noyes
    Vice President of Human Resources
    Microbiologics, Inc.
  • Monica Segura-Schwartz
    Bid Specialist
    Entrust Corporation
  • Sara McKeever
    Licensed Parent Educator
    St. Cloud Area Schools
  • Tom Grones
    Vice Chair
    GeoComm
    Founder and Board Member
  • Dr. Vincent Miles
    Licensed Psychologist
    Miles Psychological Services
  • Dr. Jessica Najarian-Bell
    Pediatrician
    CentraCare
  • Sahur Hussein
    Registered Nurse
    St. Cloud Hospital
  • Kelly Gully
    CPA
    Central Minnesota Diagnostic
  • Gina Acevedo
    Cultural Sensitivity & Health Equity Supervisor
    CentraCare
  • John Waletzko
    Market Development Manager
    Rice Companies

THE MAKING

OF A CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

From those first conversations around a dining room table, the creation of Great River Children’s Museum has been a community collaboration success story. Countless hours and thousands of individuals generously offered insight, candid feedback, financial gifts, time, and talent. Below is just a highlight.

1983

Glen Palm, then-SCSU Professor in Child and Family Studies, and Jane Ellison, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, begin to envision a children’s museum in St. Cloud.

1983

2012

Palm and friend, Greg Reigstad, meet with community leaders and groups to determine need, interest, and support. Great River Children’s Exploratorium is established as a 501c3.

2012

GRCM Puzzle Blocks

2014

The organization joins the Association of Children’s Museums as an emerging museum.

The museum completes a needs assessment for the region.

2014

2016

The museum collaborates with CentraCare Health System to bring the first exhibit, (Healthyville) to the Stearns History Museum.

2016

2017

A museum planning team is established.

2017

2018

A formal 14-member Board of Directors is established and a refined mission statement is developed.

The name is changed to Great River Children’s Museum (GRCM).

Liberty Bank donates its 25,000-square-foot building in downtown St. Cloud to the museum.

Volunteers begin a capital campaign to fund museum construction and exhibit fabrication.

2018

2019

A Strategic Master Plan is completed with Vergeront Museum Planning and input from 20 community members.

Branding is developed with Gearbox Functional Creative.

Minor construction projects are completed on two spaces for groups of visitors.

GRCM receives grants for Play, Explore, Learn (PEL) Labs and Roundtable Discussions to guide museum development.

2019

2020

GRCM hosts more than 50 individuals at Roundtable Discussions with early educators, nonprofit and downtown business leadership, special educators and mental health professionals, and Head Start teachers.

Play, Explore, Learn Labs are launched to observe how parents and children interact and learn while at play.

Family Fun Club is developed to give parents activities they can do at home.

CEO Cassie Miles is hired.

Split Rock Studios is selected as the lead exhibit designer in partnership with Haizlip Studio.

2020

2021

Exhibit design and development process begins.

Two traveling exhibits are hosted in the museum’s visitor space.

Program & Outreach Manager is hired

2021

GRCM Money Jar

2022

More than half of the museum’s capital campaign goal is reached.

Exhibit-based pop-up experiences start for 32 communities outside of St. Cloud through GRCM’s partnership with Great River Regional Library.

The community’s voice is heard with more than 1,500 adults and children weighing in on museum exhibit and experience design through focus groups, surveys, and interviews.

2022

2023

The Minnesota State Legislature awards GRCM $7 million in state funding.

Great River Children’s Museum hosts a Building Block(s) Party to celebrate upcoming construction, welcoming over 1,000 people from 38 different zip codes.

2023

2024

BCI Construction, Inc. breaks ground on the year long construction project in May 2024
VP of Development is hired in August 2024
The first annual GRCM Game Night Gala is hosted at Granite Innovations in November 2024 raising over $200k

2024

2025

VP of Operations joins the team in January 2025
Director of Experience and Guest Experience Specialist are hired in May 2025
The City of St. Cloud honors Great River Children’s Museum with the Historic Preservation Award (May 19, 2025)

2025

CHECK OUT

OUR SUPPORTERS

SEE ANNUAL REPORTS & SPONSORS

SUPPORT THE

POWER OF PLAY!

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As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization, Great River Children’s Museum relies on donations and support from individuals, corporations, and foundations to keep our mission alive.

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