Our Journey
Who We ARe
2015
“Aha-moment” among Sourcewell’s leadership to research the feasibility of a children’s museum starting with a visit to the Children’s Museum of Southern MN in Mankato. Pictured, Chief Regional Solutions Officer, Dr. Paul Drange and CEO, Dr. Chad Coauette.
2016
Sourcewell convenes a children’s museum planning committee of regional leaders from the five counties of Region Five at the Brainerd Lakes Chamber.
2017
The planning committee sets the children’s museum’s vision, focus, audience, and guiding principles, emphasizing the value of play and interactive learning.
Spring 2018
Sourcewell commissions master planning with esteemed children’s museum planners Jeanne Vergeront and James Roe.
Fall 2018
The museum contract Peter Olson, founding director of two other children’s museums; incorporates as a 501(c)(3); secures seed funding from Sourcewell; and holds its first board meeting at the Brainerd Chamber chaired by Dr. Paul Drange.
2019
Awarded a two-year Legacy grant to start on-the-go programming & initial exhibit development, site selection begins with an RFP for site proposals and site visits.
2020
The “WonderTrek Children’s Museum” name and logo are adopted; the Play Lab opens in Brainerd’s Franklin Arts Center; and 1,000 COVID-safe Play Packets are distributed.
2021
In-person mobile programs kick-off; Potlatch property on 371 in Baxter is selected for the WonderTrek site; Nor-Son and ORB Management provide in-kind services to begin design.
2022
WonderTrek leads the formation of the Greater MN Children’s Museum Coalition; receives a second Legacy Grant to expand programming— engaging kids, parents, and teachers in exhibit design through the “Play Lab”.
2023
Five Cornerstone Founders donate $50,000 each, while Soucewell commits a $5,000,000 challenge contribution to inspire other contributors and jump-start phase 1, WonderTrek’s Outdoor Adventure.
2024
CTC purchases site from Potlatch to secure 9 acres for WonderTrek, final design of WonderTrek’s campus kicks off with Nor-Son, ORB Management, Widseth, and an accomplished exhibit design team thanks to a 3rd major Legacy grant.
2025
Sourcewell purchases the 33-acre property from CTC and signs a long-term lease with WonderTrek for 9 acres, WonderTrek is awarded a competitive $500,000 grant and breaks ground on the 9-acre campus.
Spring 2025
Launches the “Ready for WonderTrek” capital campaign; reaches 50,000 participants with WonderTrek on Wheels.
2026
After sparking the movement to bring back everyday play and closing the funding gap, the community gathers for the ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of WonderTrek’s Outdoor Adventure—Lake Country’s new gateway to play.
We’re on a mission
Empowering Play, Inspiring Minds
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.
Our Team
WonderTrek Staff
Peter Olson
Executive Director
Sheila Boldt
Communications Manager
Aimee Tagtmeier
Program Operations Manager
Emilee Mailhot
Evaluation Specialist
Jacqueline Aamodt
Lead Playworker
Ashley Moren
Play Lab Coordinator
Ella Owens
Playworker
Vanessa Bauer
Our Team
Board of Directors
Dr. 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
Laine Larson
Retired Superintendent, ISD. 181
Melissa McKay
Regional Chief Nursing Officer, Essentia Health
QUINN SWANSON
Executive Director, Happy Dancing Turtle
SHANNON WHEELER
Early Childhood Coordinator, Pequot Lakes Schools
Ex officio
Peter Olson
Museum Project Director, WonderTrek Children’s Museum
Dianne HeldmaN
Sourcewell Coordinator, WonderTrek’s Secretary to the Board
Lead Contributor
Sourcewell
Cornerstone Founders
Andy Anderson & Nor-Son
Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union
Essentia Health
National Bank of Commerce
Happy Dancing Turtle
CTC
The community is our team
Memberships
“So exciting to see this new museum come to life
We love the community events and Studio Explorations!”
– Mary
“I’ve been able to attend and observe at several of WonderTrek’s Studio Explorations.
Each time, I saw children across a range of ages discover something fascinating to explore, sometimes giant blue blocks, colorful scarves, balls, or wobbly worlds. This kind of play—child-directed, social, physical, and joyful—is not only fun, but also critical to children’s well-being.”
– Jeanne
We're ready for you
After ten years of dreaming up a children's museum like no other, we’re gearing up to open WonderTrek’s Outdoor Adventure in early 2026.
But first, we need you. More than $6,000,000 has been raised thanks to visionary donors and lots of grant writing. Now, we’re in the final push and WonderTrek needs everyone who cares for kids and the vitality of our region to join the campaign. With $1 million to go, every donation counts!
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