WonderTrek’s Vision

WonderTrek Children's Museum and its partners envision a more vibrant and connected region because all children enjoy the supportive relationships, expanding opportunities, and well-being they need to thrive.

 WonderTrek’s Mission

WonderTrek brings together the region’s children and families in shared experiences that are grounded locally and open to the wider world. Dynamic, material-rich environments, exhibits, events, and programs engage children in the joy of play and the wonder of learning.

  • Spring 2015

    Aha moment to begin exploring feasibility for a regional children’s museum

  • Fall 2015

    Research visit to the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato

  • 2016

    Planning group starts meeting and area stakeholders convene

  • 2017

    Vision, focus, audience, and guiding principles established

  • Spring 2018

    Master planning begins

  • October 2018

    Contracts Museum Project Director, Peter Olson

  • December 2018

    First meeting of founding Board of Directors

  • Spring 2019

    Sourcewell provides two-year seed funding donation

  • Summer 2019

    Site selection begins

  • Fall 2019

    Awarded two-year Legacy Fund grant to launch programming

  • Spring 2020

    Contracts Russell Herder Advertising for museum name and logo development

  • Winter 2020

    Starts site and building conceptual design with Nor-Son architect Jesse Hopkins

  • Spring 2021

    Creates hundreds of Covid-safe Play Packets for families across the region

  • Spring 2021

    Launches in-person programming throughout the region

  • Winter 2022

    To build awareness and seek state funding, helped lead formation of the Greater MN Coalition of Children's Museums

  • Spring 2022

    Awarded second major Legacy Fund grant to provide new hands-on programming through June 2023

  • Summer 2022

    Launched Cornerstone Founders Capacity Initiative

  • Spring 2023

    Secured 9 acre land parcel with CTC

  • Summer 2023

    Reached 20,000 participants through Legacy Funding programming

  • Fall 2023

    Jumpstarted Phase 1 build-out with major contributions from Sourcewell and six Cornerstone Founders

  • December 2023

    Received first annual MN Department of Education grant to bring WonderTrek on Wheels around the region.

  • January 2024

    Started design development of WonderTrek's 9 acre campus with Nor-Son, Widseth, ORB Management, and professional children's museum planners.

  • Spring 2024

    Awarded 3rd Major Legacy Grant to engage WonderTrek’s audience in design and development of future exhibits

 Board of Directors

Paul Drange, Chair

Director of Regional Programs, Sourcewell

CHUCK ALBRECHT, TREASURER

President & CEO, Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union

MATT KILIAN

President, Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce

MELISSA MCKAY

Regional Chief Nursing Officer, Essentia Health

PETER OLSON, EX OFFICIO

Museum Project Director, WonderTrek Children’s Museum

QUINN SWANSON

Executive Director, Happy Dancing Turtle

SHANNON WHEELER

Early Childhood Coordinator, Pequot Lakes Schools

Laine Larson

Retired superintendent, ISD 181

Donors

Lead Contributor

Sourcewell

Cornerstone Founders

Andy Anderson & Nor-Son

Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union

Essentia Health

Riverwood Bank

Happy Dancing Turtle

CTC

 WonderTrek’s

Partners

Local chambers, school districts, service clubs, businesses, ECFE programs, after-school care programs, and libraries

Memberships