General Organization Description

GENERAL ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Company Summary

The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum is a non-profit 501 (c (3) organization in Wisconsin Rapids. The museum is being designed to provide children, ages 0-12, with hands-on, interactive experiences in core areas such as social development, science exploration, arts, and all-around curiosity. The museum plans to offer interactive exhibits, programs, and workshops that will constantly evolve to meet the needs of children that we serve.

Achievements/History

The museum is the brainchild of Manda Wirth, a stay-at-home mother and foster parent for at-risk youth. Ms. Wirth is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology. While working from home, she took notice of the lack of activities and outlets for children to participate in the Wisconsin Rapids area. The idea was then planted to mesh Ms. Wirth’s education and love for children with a place designed for kids to enhance social well-being, learn about the world we live in, and most importantly, have fun!

To begin transforming her idea into a reality, Ms. Wirth created a Facebook page to create awareness of the project within the local community. She also held public meetings concerning the idea to gain support. This acquired a core group of people to get the project underway. Nick Brazeau Sr., a well respected lawyer in Wisconsin Rapids is heading up the legal tasks. Elizabeth Stewart has a degree in childcare, Jeff Williams brings experience from the newspaper The Voice, and Dave Farmbrough helps with networking.

The group has joined the Association of Children’s Museums and contacted the Incourage Community Foundation of Wisconsin Rapids for assistance. Ms. Wirth also worked with the Entrepreneurship Management class at Mid-State Technical College to begin her business plan. At the same time to raise awareness of the project the group began to create market awareness through Facebook, community events such as the Children’s Festival, and continued public meetings.

Mission and Vision statements

The children’s museum group has developed two guiding statements to assist in future planning. Our mission is as follows: WRACM is committed to creating extraordinary family learning experiences that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. It offers an accessible, affordable, interactive and educational environment that will bring families together in a creative environment that sparks imagination, inspires learning through play, and supports school readiness. The museum will provide a diverse, creative center for hands on learning through permanent and changing exhibits that will stimulate intellectual curiosity and exploration in children and all types of backgrounds.

1 Our vision of the future is to be the area’s leading attraction for childhood development, social play, learning and exploration. We will do this by staying on the forefront of social, environmental, and educational trends to bring our young minds that we serve the tools they need to grow and succeed.

With our mission statement in mind, our goals for the future include the following:

 Obtain nonprofit status

 Find a location for the museum

 Develop enough resources to build the museum

 Obtain donations from local businesses to help create our educational exhibits

 Gain community awareness via Facebook, word of mouth, and community events

 Prepare a budget for current and future events

 Have a minimum of two hundred children visiting our children’s museum each month  To enhance school curriculum by using the museum as a learning tool for teachers  To provide the community an additional outlet for leisure and recreation  To secure further funding through personal donations, corporate donations, and government grants  To generate revenue by selling daily passes, memberships, enrollment in programs and classes, and special events

2 PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PLAN

Products Provided

The products and services that the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum offers is a place where kids can play and learn. A kid-friendly environment where children can let their imaginations run free will be provided. There will be various permanent and changing exhibits that focus on children of different age ranges. Overall we will provide a mix of art, science, language and physical activity all to inspire interest in children from toddlers to pre-teens.

Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum will change every few years, while focusing on low-technology items to prevent high maintenance costs. We will try to get a new traveling exhibit every two years. Most of our exhibits will be made by people from our community.

The main exhibits include a fire truck, kid-sized Kwik Trip, and a crane. These will all be hands-on items that allow kids to play. We will also have a news room where kids can put on a news cast, a Velcro wall for jumping, and PVC music. A detailed description of our exhibits can be found in the Appendix.

Additional Services

The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum is dedicated to delivering a high quality experience to anyone that walks through our doors. For enhancing appeal, convenience, and accessibility, the museum is considering the following additional services.

 Discovery Shop The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum gift shop will provide a memory of a day at the museum. The gift shop will provide guests access to educational toys and games, designed to stimulate young minds and promote family and social interaction.

 Programs and Classes The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum will supplement their exhibits with programs and classes targeted for all age groups that the museum serves. Programs will run for a variety of lengths and times to accommodate stay-at-home parents, homeschooled children, and regular public or private school children. The programs will be both educational and fun and include activities from the sciences, visual arts, crafts, and music. During summer months, the museum will host additional programs to be determined at a later time.

 Children’s Express Pub

3 The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum will have its very own on site food court. The Children’s Express Pub will offer a wide assortment of reasonably priced, fresh, healthy food choices and will help educate children about the importance of eating healthy.

 The Comfort Zone The tranquility of the Comfort Zone is a perfect room to sit back and relax while reading one of the many children’s books that are on hand. Visitors may also choose to just sit back on one of the many pillows and connect with their young children. Whatever the reason for entering this room, visitors will be guaranteed a peaceful time.

 The Log Cabin I and The Log Cabin II The Log Cabins are separate rooms available for private events such as birthday parties, meetings, family gatherings or school field trips. Members will receive 10% off the room when they book one of them for an event. The Log Cabin I is approximately 400 square feet. The Log Cabin II is approximately 1300 square feet.

4 MARKET RESEARCH PLAN

Market Segmentation The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum broadly defines its market as any family in the greater Wisconsin Rapids area with children between the ages of 0-12. The greater Wisconsin Rapids area is a 30 mile radius from Wisconsin Rapids that includes the communities of Plover, Stevens Point, Nekoosa, Pittsville, Port Edwards, and Adams-Friendship.

Within the broad market, there are many individual markets the museum will draw from including parents, grandparents, stay at home parents, homeschooled children, and public/private school groups. With the main demographic being women 50 and under with a child under 3. In a 2008 demographics survey 89% of attendees were 50 or under, 89% were female, 88% had a child under 4, and 81% were college educated with an average income of 100,000/year.

According to the most recent census data (2010), there are about 12,123 children between the ages of 0-12 who live within the defined area, with about one third of those already living in Wisconsin Rapids. There are other large communities just outside the 30 mile radius, such as Portage and Marshfield, from which the museum can draw from that will further enhance the market base to the tens of thousands.

The Association of Children’s Museums periodically publishes metric reports on the number of visitors a museum sees. According to the report, for a museum the size of the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum, there is a reasonable expectation to obtain about one third of the market base. However, that

5 number will grow if you include visitors from areas just outside the target area. Therefore we believe we will draw up to 4,041 customers.

Competitive Analysis There is no local direct competition for the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum. However, there are relatively 30 indirect competitors in Wisconsin Rapids and the surrounding areas. Competition includes but is not limited to theatres, zoos, bowling, parks, etc. Many of these activities are limited to the summer months and activities are lacking for children 0-12 in the winter months. This is another benefit that will give a great competitive advantage to the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum.

The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum has a direct competitor, the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum in Stevens Point. The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum understands that direct competition between the two non-profits would prove detrimental to both parties. The Wisconsin Rapids Children Museum would differentiate from the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum (Steven’s Point, WI) by offering a more diverse learning and interactive environment for all ages between 0-12 years. By offering a fun and advanced learning environment, it would allow Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum to attract visitors from outside the local surrounding area.

Wisconsin Rapids is also home to the South Wood County YMCA, another non-profit organization. The YMCA offers programs for youth including sports, swimming, and gymnastics. However, the YMCA’s programs emphasize physical abilities, fitness, and athleticism, which is not in line with what the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum goals and direction are. The South Wood County YMCA is not a direct competitor nor does it offer what the museum can offer, but it is another alternative for youth to be involved in. Cost is a factor here as well. YMCA programs and memberships can be pricey, especially among low income families, but a trip to the museum is relatively inexpensive, which is a huge advantage.

Another competitor that may hurt the museum during the fall Halloween season is Altenburg's Country Gardens. Altenburg's could end up taking customers away from the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum if the fall season is nice with good temperatures and not a large amount of rain. Altenburg's offers many things aimed toward kids the ages of 0-12 which is in the same age demographic as the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum. Some of the ideas may be different because obviously it is not outside and is not really aimed at the farm activities. The museum also has the advantage of not having to depend on the weather because it is obviously inside and it also has an advantage of having indoor plumbing.

Clancy’s Mini-golf is located at 9331 State Highway 13 S Wisconsin Rapids. Clancy’s offers a driving range with an average cost of 4 dollars and mini golf for 3 dollars for adults and 2 dollars for children 5 years of age or older. A batting cage is also available. The facility is open from late spring to fall.

The Rapids Rafters is a minor league baseball team located at 521 Lincoln St., Wisconsin Rapids. Baseball games are played on the grounds with food and drinks available. There is a small play area for children.

6 The cost is 7 dollars base price. Season tickets are available. This is only open during the summer months.

Future Outlook for Competitors

The future outlook for Rogers Cinema is looking good because of the popularity there is for going out to see a new movie on a big screen and get the experience that the movie theater provides. What kid doesn’t like to go out and eat popcorn, candy and sugary drinks? There are different types of movies for all ages like G rated movies, PG rated movies, PG-13 rated movies and up, so the parent can decide what movie to take the kid to. There are 50 total screens in 2 states and 8 cities; Rogers Cinema is still owned by Paul Rogers and John Koran. The prices range from 6-12 dollars, the cheaper prices are for the movies that are during the day and the more expensive movies are during the evening.

The future outlook for Mead Pool is going to be good because it’s a popular place to go swimming in the summer. The price is good for admissions and there are season passes that you can get there. The admissions and season passes seem to be cheaper than what the children’s museums would be. The price for admission at mead pool is 2 dollars per person and the season passes range from 20-35 for residents of Wisconsin Rapids, and 25-50 for non-residents. Mead Pool is open Sunday through Saturday from noon-5:00pm and 5:30pm to 7:00pm and the wading pool is open from noon to 7:00pm during the same days as the big pool. It’s a good place to take your kids to have fun swimming and to enjoy the good weather.

The future outlook for Skate City in Wisconsin Rapids is good because of the popularity there is for skating and skateboarding in our area. Skate City is a safe place to go and skate with your friends and family, there is a snack bar for you when you are hungry and need something to eat. There is a skate shop where you can buy incline skates, skateboards, shirts, sweatshirts, other accessories, and other things that you can buy for your skateboard or skates. There is a bounce house that is for all ages, and there is an arcade in Skate City that has the largest video game variety in the area. And if you want to do something a little more daring, there are ramps and rails for you to use with your skateboards and skates. Skate City offers different birthday party packages, which include the ice cream package, hot dog package, and the pizza package. You can also have a private skating party at Skate City. With the popularity of skating around our area and the different things that skate city offers for kids, it seems that skate city’s future s+eems bright.

The future outlook for Clancy’s miniature golf course in Wisconsin Rapids is good because it’s a popular place to go and play miniature golf and enjoy the weather and fun time with your family. Clancy’s mini golf offers 18 hole course for you and your children to take part in. You can purchase or rent equipment, can buy gifts and there is a snack bar to go and get a snack for you and your children. Mini golf costs $3.00 dollars for adults, kids 5-12 is $2.00 dollars and children under 5 are free. To play another round, it would cost you $1.50 instead of $2. Its open during late spring, summer and early fall during the year.

The future outlook for Bowlmor Lanes in Wisconsin Rapids will continue to improve because they are the only bowling alley within the city limits. The price seems to be pretty cheap with the price of $2.00 dollars per game being during the day Monday through Friday and the price increase to $3.00 dollars per

7 game during the evening. On Saturday the price is $3.00 dollars per game and during the evening on Saturday the price is $13.00 a person because its cosmic bowling which happens every other Saturday, and on Sunday the price is $3.00 per game for the whole day. Bowlmor Lanes in Wisconsin Rapids is open Monday and Tuesday from 1:00pm to 12:00am, Wednesday from 12:00pm to 12:00am, Thursday from 8:00am to 12:00am, Friday 1:00pm to 2:00am, Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00am, and Sunday from 10:00am to 7:00pm. Bowlmor Lanes in Wisconsin Rapids also have an arcade, bar, lockers, and you can rent out lanes for a birthday party.

Uniqueness The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum will be significantly different from other organizations in several key ways. The first reason, and perhaps the most important, is affordability to the consumer. In an area of the state where economic downturn has affected many people, the museum feels the need to keep fees and costs to a minimum. The museum will accomplish this by not requiring monthly or annual memberships and will employ a nominal daily rate. To further keep costs down, the museum will employee volunteers and use local building talent to create its exhibits.

Secondly, there are no other non-profit businesses in Wisconsin Rapids that duplicates the services the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum will provide. The museum offers age appropriate exhibits, programs, and classes that focus on social wellbeing, education, and exploration in the physical and biological sciences. When traditional services offered by other organizations, such as Parks and Recreation, struggle to entice youth, the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum provides an excellent alternative for those who are looking for something different and out of the ordinary.

Lastly, the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum will be an organization that is a tool for educators. The museum and its exhibits can be incorporated into school curriculum to enhance lesson plans and overall learning. The museum has already gained support from local educators in the public schools.

State of the Industry

The market trends for children’s museums in U.S. are:

 78 children’s museums are currently being planned

 81% have early childhood exhibits for infants and toddlers

 35% have outdoor exhibits and/or a garden

 Popular exhibits are dinosaur/fossil exhibits and the Kwik Trip gas station/store

 65% of children’s museums are found in urban areas, 33% in suburban areas, 12% in rural areas, and 35% in downtown revitalization projects

 Field trips are very common (90.5% median)

8  49% run after-school programs

 70% school outreach

9 MARKET RESEARCH http://www.childrensmuseums.org/images/VisionMarketingToolkit/2010factsaboutchildrensmuseums. pdf http://www.childrensmuseums.org/images/VisionMarketingToolkit/casestatementsummary.pdf

10 MARKETING PLAN

Location

The location of the Children’s Museum is critical to its success. A listing of criteria was developed that will be important to a location. This included:

 Cost of location (works within capital constraints and ongoing limits of funds)

 Possibility of donation

 Location is safe

 Accessible location ( entrance ways, no one-way streets)

 Convenient for parents

 Attractive location

 Size of location (Big enough now and allows future expansion)

 Surroundings are appropriate for children’s museum (general area and surrounding businesses)

 Parking available

 Easily located for visitors

 Long-term viability

Based on these factors a number of locations were reviewed in Wisconsin Rapids. (After reviewing the analyses, a location of 195 2nd Street, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin is recommended. This location is centrally located, safe, and accessible for visitors. There is also parking available in the area and it is near a riverbank where other community events are held. For more information, individual site selection analyses are located in the appendix.

Promotion

Our museum will focus its marketing efforts on three objectives:

 To educate our community about children’s museums

 To inform our community that we exist

 To build support in donations and volunteers for our museum

With these goals in mind, we will focus on a range of activities designed to inform and build support. This includes advertising, personal selling, publicity, and general promotional events.

11 Advertising

A variety of advertising methods are available for the Museum. This would include:

 Fliers

 Postcards,

 Brochures

 Mailing lists

 Community Access TV

 Radio advertisement

Flyers should be sent out through the school systems in Wisconsin Rapids and the surrounding area (Pittsville, Vesper, Plover, Adams-Friendship, Port Edwards and Rudolph), targeting the 0-12 age group. Ensure that the parochial schools, Boys and Girls Club, day care centers and HeadStart are also included in this. This flyer should be sent out once for awareness and on a Monday, as this would be looked at from parents. Sending it out on a Friday, it may not get looked at unless the parent needs to sign something and sent back in. Costs vary according to size, quality of paper, graphics and quantity required and company. Flyers should also be on-hand for special events.

Advertising using radio or television would be expensive for the museum. If donations for advertising were secured, radio ads could be aired several times a day depending upon the costs and how long you want them to run for. The best times to air would be during morning and evening when people are driving to work or home.

Technology could be used to help promote the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum through are YouTube, Twitter, and a blog. For YouTube, a video could be created that introduces the museum, explains what progress has been made, and ask for people’s help. At the end of the video, there will be an email address or a phone number so that people could respond. This helps the people that are creating the children’s museum and the customer s because it gives the customers a sneak peak of what is happening and it helps the creators of the museum see what other people have to say with the comment section and other suggestions.

A Twitter account could be created that would keep people informed with what events are happening, what time they are happening and what is going on in general. This helps the customers because they would know what is going, where they are and if they can go and help with the event or just go and have a good time. This also helps the people that are doing the children’s museum because this allows them to keep in contact with people that are following them on Twitter. This gets more people to the events then would normally go, if they knew that there was an event going on that the children’s museum group was doing.

12 Another tool that could help promote the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum would be to put it on the Association of Children’s Museums website. This is helpful for the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum because the website has every children’s museum in the United States, so they could get their name out that way because then everybody would see it and know where the museum is located. If you become a member, that allows you to connect with peers and experts that can help you with the children’s museum and other information that you want to know. The Association of Children’s Museum website also links for you like Professional Development, Data & Resources, Advocacy, about the Association of Children’s Museum, it could help you start a children’s museum, and there are other helpful links on the website. The Association of Children’s museum website is helpful for the customers because it allows them to see where the children’s museums are located and other information that they are looking for.

Another way to promote the children's museum is to use online web pages such as websites that are put out there through local chamber of commerce, Google places or of travel planning sites of local places to visit and make plans at. This will be able to draw people from other areas if they are coming here to participate in something, such as the water ski shows, track meets or a car show just to name a few . People will be able to use these websites to make plans in the area and hopefully at the children's museum as well. Another way to advertise is to have an ad in the yellow pages. This seems like an old way to advertise because of recent technology, but it is one of the easiest ones to use and does not involve a computer which some may not have or like to use

Last the children’s museum could create a blog on the website Google, which would allow them to have conversations with other people about the children’s museum, any tips people may have, and other thoughts that could be helpful to creating the children’s museum. This is good for the customer because it allows them to give their input and it allows them to see what other people have said about the children’s museum. This could also be good and bad for the people that are doing the children’s museum because even though they are getting input from other people which could be helpful, they could also get the negative input that isn’t helpful and customers could put negative reviews or comments on the blog, which in turn could turnoff other customers.

Advertising should be assessed to see if it is effective in meeting our marketing goals. To assess this, the Museum could look to see if more people join the Facebook page, there are more emails seeking information, or there are more “hits” on the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum website.

Publicity will be crucial to the success of the Museum’s marketing efforts. Museum volunteers will participate in community events such as the Children’s Festival in Wisconsin Rapids or local 4th of July parades to build awareness of the organization. Press releases will be used to gain coverage of these events. A sample press release is in the Appendix .

Publicity will also need to be assessed to see if it positively promotes the Museum. To do that, there will be a form on the web page that asks how people heard about the museum. Staff will also ask visitors how they heard about the museum when they buy an admission to the museum. The number of people attending events that the Museum participates in will also be tracked.

13 Personal selling will also be needed for the Museum. Staff will use this method when calling donors, schools for field trips, etc. This would be a way to introduce the Museum to people and let them know what you have to offer the public. There will also be internal selling to retain customers and increase their spending. This would be like special offers for returning visitors or a gift shop. This will also be used with donors so they can see what the Museum offers and where donated money is going.

14 MANAGEMENT PLAN

Management Team

Currently the only definite member of the management team is Manda Wirth. She will make an excellent manager for the Wisconsin Rapid’s Children’s Museum due to her experience and educational background. Manda has experience with children from working as a foster care provider for teens and an educational background which includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social welfare.

The Wisconsin Rapids Children Museum will operation as a nonprofit organization. Therefore a Board of Directors will be created to oversee the museum. All vacant positions for the board of directors of the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum will be filled in the future when appointed by an advising or search committee. This process will also include input from the public and possibly a voting system. The following criteria will be used to assess potential members:

 Leadership skills

 Community awareness

 Education

 Ethics and values

 Willingness to raise funds for the Museum

 Willingness to express opinions

 Time to be on the board

 Expertise in running a business

 Diverse background

 Ability to bring perspective and a unique skill needed by the museum (i.e. accounting, legal, fundraising)

Potential suggestions for the Wisconsin Rapids Children Museum at this time include:

 Zack Vruwink

 Colleen Dickman

 Andy Dewitt

 Ellen Dahl

 Qualified parent

15  Retired elementary school teacher

 Accountant

 Lawyer

 Someone with experience at other children’s organizations like the Boys and Girls Club

Consultants will also be used to supplement our management team. This will include a lawyer to help with the process of getting the museum up and running, and any legal issues. It will also include an accountant to assist in managing finances and help with the feasibility study. A person who is knowledgeable about marketing in order to help with promoting the museum and getting information to the target market will also be contacted. Several community groups will also be used for assistance, including the Small Business Administration, the Incourage Foundation, the Small Business Development Center, and a banker. The Entrepreneurship Class at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids has volunteered their skills and time to write a business plan. Volunteers will also be needed, and helpful in assisting with daily help for this nonprofit organization.

Organizational Structure

The employee structure will only consist of a few people. Manda will be the manager of the museum and will oversee the everyday employee and financial operations. She will insure that the museum meets the safety requirements regularly and that the building stays clean. She will also oversee the bookkeeping records that are associated with the museum. She will assign task to floor employees as well. The museum will need a Customer Service person at the front desk as well. This person will greet and receive payments from customers. They will also help customers with their gift shop purchases. A custodian and maintenance position will also be needed for the museum. This person will strictly concentrate on keeping the building clean and looking presentable to the customers. Both positions will both report to Manda and allow her to make the everyday business decisions. More detailed job duties can be found for each position in the appendix.

Organizational Structure

16 17 FINANCIAL PLAN

The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum will require approximately $591,215 to begin assuming that a building must be bought and remodeled. This figure was developed using costs for required assets that can be found in the Appendix. If the building were to be donated, this figure would drop to approximately

The initial funds will need to be raise through fundraising efforts and grants. Grants are available through the Wisconsin Rapids Incourage Foundation and private charitable organizations. The American Children’s Museum maintains a grant calendar for appropriate opportunities. A sample of the grants available is listed in the appendix.

Once the museum is open, operating income for the first year is estimated at $112,929. This comes from a variety of sources, each detailed below.

 Admissions to the museum will provide the majority of the income. At this time an admission price of $5 was used for forecasting. This matches the price of the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum in Stevens Point Wisconsin. Market research showed that there were 12,123 children within a 30 mile range who were between the ages of 1-12. According to ACM data, one-third of children in an area are likely to visit a Children’s Museum. Using this figure, approximately 4041 children would visit our museum. For yearly sales it was assumed that each child would visit the museum twice a year with a parent or adult.

 Memberships to grandparents and families are also available for purchase. At this time estimates of 2% of our potential for each type of membership was used as a conservative figure. This reflects the lower income of the Wisconsin Rapids area. Costs of each membership were kept equal to that charged by the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum. These would be $75 and $50

 Extended memberships are also available to allow visitation to other ACM Children’s Museums. Sales were estimated at 2% of the potential market as a conservative measure. This meant that 81 such memberships would be sold. Prices were estimated at $125 each, which is the same cost as the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum price.

 Group visitation was developed using information from the ___ Children’s Museums. This is a museum in an area of 13,000 people, which is smaller than Wisconsin Rapids. Using their figure for actual group attendance and purchase was considered a reasonably conservative estimate. This number would be $16,708.

If the Children’s Museum were to add a gift shop, additional revenue of $9,675 could be obtained based on comparable figures from the ___ Museum. This would raise total revenue to $122,604.

18 19 Appendix – Exhibit Descriptions

Exhibit Description: Little Builders is a traveling exhibit that is available for rent through OMSI.edu. This exhibit helps children learn the basic of construction, motion, and how simple machines work. Children will be able to interact with this exhibit hands-on while operating a pulley or a conveyor belt to explore cause and effect. Let them transport cargo by turning the wheels of a gantry crane. They will have the chance to build structures by using blocks and pipes while learning about size, shape, balance, and gravity. Children can also explore with aerodynamics by inserting balls into air chutes and watch them, navigate through clear pipes.

Target Age Group:

The target group for the Little Builders traveling exhibit ranges from two to seven years of age.

------

Future Planning

Within this exhibit there are 21 hands on interactive, graphic panels and text. This exhibit also includes an instruction manual and technical support, an activity guide for parents and teachers along with a marketing kit. The exhibit is shipped in one 48 to 53 foot truck and installation and takedown is estimated at three days each.

Size and Cost

The area for this exhibit that would be needed would be 100 square feet. The rental fee for this exhibit is $9500 for 3 months. This exhibit is available June-August 2013, October – December 2013, February – April 2014, June – August 2014 and October – December 2014. Double booking are available at a discount rate. A deposit is required upon booking.

Potential Donors

Although this is a traveling exhibit available through rent it is possible to find a donor. Potential donors in the area could be local construction companies. These companies could donate materials along with the time to build them.

20 Appendix – Exhibit Descriptions continued

21 Appendix – Exhibit Descriptions continued

Gas Station

22 23 APPENDIX – Job Descriptions

Director Duties

 Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.  Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.  Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.  Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.  Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.  Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.  Negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities.  Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.  Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities to them.  Direct human resources activities, including the approval of human resource plans or activities, the selection of directors or other high-level staff, or establishment or organization of major departments.

Customer Service Representative Duties

 Confer with customers by telephone or in person to provide information about products or services, take or enter orders, cancel accounts, or obtain details of complaints.  Keep records of customer interactions or transactions, recording details of inquiries, complaints, or comments, as well as actions taken.  Check to ensure that appropriate changes were made to resolve customers' problems.  Determine charges for services requested, collect deposits or payments, or arrange for billing.  Refer unresolved customer grievances to designated departments for further investigation.  Review insurance policy terms to determine whether a particular loss is covered by insurance.  Contact customers to respond to inquiries or to notify them of claim investigation results or any planned adjustments.  Resolve customers' service or billing complaints by performing activities such as exchanging merchandise, refunding money, or adjusting bills.  Compare disputed merchandise with original requisitions and information from invoices and prepare invoices for returned goods.  Obtain and examine all relevant information to assess validity of complaints and to determine possible causes, such as extreme weather conditions that could increase utility bills.

24 Custodian/Building Maintenance Duties  Monitor building security and safety by performing such tasks as locking doors after operating hours and checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created.  Service, clean, or supply restrooms.  Gather and empty trash.  Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.  Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.  Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.  Strip, seal, finish, and polish floors.  Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.  Requisition supplies or equipment needed for cleaning and maintenance duties.  Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees.

Source: O*Net Online. U.S. Department Of Labor, n.d. Web. 7 May 2012. .

25 Appendix – Press Release Sample

Press Release

Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum to Create Awareness of Their Project at Kids Fest

Wisconsin Rapids, WI (April 10, 2012)—The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum is taking part in Kids Fest at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids Saturday, April 21 from 10am-4pm. The goal of the museum’s participation is to promote awareness and support for the development of a children’s museum for the Wisconsin Rapids area.

The head of the museum project, Manda Wirth, has already established a core group of individuals to spearhead the project. The group meets approximately every two weeks to discuss the progress of the project. The next meeting is slated for the 17th of April, at the McMillan Library, in the McCourt Conference Room, at 6pm.

The Business Decision Making class from Mid-State Technical College has volunteered to support the organization by writing a business plan for this non-profit organization..

The Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum is looking for community support to get their project off the ground. If anyone wishes to contribute to the organization, inquiries can be directed to Manda Wirth at [email protected].

So, remember to stop by the Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum booth at Kids Fest from 10 to 4, on the 21st to show your support.

26 Appendix – Initial Capital Listing

ASSETS Cost Detail

Building 199000 x $189 for vacuum, wet/dry vac $38.80, tools $129, toolset 59.99, Equipment 617 x $200 for cleaning items such as mop, bucket Remodeling Costs 180000 x Average from American Children’s Museum Association There is a potential for donations with these items, Cost Shelving & Fixtures 2000 x estimated at $1000 for large shelving unit Cash Register 100 x Source: Staples Computer 700 x Source: Best Buy Copy Machine/fax/printer 1000 x Inventory 4000 This includes gift store inventory Office Supplies 70 x Includes paper, pens, staplers, calculator and 500 business cards Deposits for Utilities Licenses and Permits 15 Operating Cash 200 Includes a selection of items such as paint, glitter, markers, Art Supplies 200 x colored pencils Insurance deposits Exhibits 200000 x Sign 1500 x This includes pens and LED bracelets to give away at events with Promotions 1140 Wisconsin Rapids Children’s Museum printed on it Staff Uniforms/Name Tags 49 x This includes two name tags and shirts with logos Source: Staples - Includes chair (100). Filing cabinet (249), Office Furniture 624 x cabinet (180), computer cart(45), 2 visitor chairs (50 each)

TOTAL ASSETS NEEDED 591215

27 Appendix - Current ACM Grant Calendar Opportunities May 2012

9 Foundation Sparkplug Foundation Grants for Start-Up Projects $10,000

21 Federal US Department of Agriculture 2012 Farmers Market Promotion $100,000 Program Grants

25 Foundation Josten's Foundation Investing in Young People Grants

31 Federal U.S. Department of State Youth Leadership Program $325,000

June 2012

1 Foundation Mitsubishi Electric America National Grants $75,000 Foundation

8 Federal U.S. Department of Education Promise Neighborhoods Planning Grant $500,000

8 Federal U.S. Department of Education Promise Neighborhoods $6,000,000 Implementation Grant

15 Federal Institute of Museum and Library Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums $100,000 Services

July 2012

1 Foundation Best Buy Foundation Community Grants Program $10,000

1 Nonprofit The Drucker Institute Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit $100,000 Innovation

15 Corporate LEGO Children’s Fund General Grants for Early Childhood $5,000 Education

August 2012

13 Foundation Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grant Program $5,000

31 Foundation Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation Grants $5,000 Foundation

October 2012

15 Corporate LEGO Children’s Fund General Grants for Early Childhood $5,000

28 Education

31 Corporate CVS Caremark Community Grants Program $5,000

29 Site Selection Worksheet – Rapids Children Museum

Factor

940 Huntington Avenue 3241 Plover Road 4541 State Hwy. 54 Wisconsin Rapids, WI Wisconsin Rapids, WI Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495 Zurfluh Realty Terry Wolfe Reality Zurfluh Realty MLS# 1630869 MLS#1103281 715-423-0561 ext. 13 715-424-1500 715-424-1500 www.showcase.com www.zurfluhrealty.com www.zurfluhrealty.com

Cost of $349,900 selling offer $265,000 selling offer $124,900 $24,900 down 30 location year loan @5.5% interest an. (works $567.33 mo. +Taxes $1,599 within capital constrain ts and ongoing limits of funds) Possibilit No Unknown Unknown y of donation Location There is one known sex There are two known sex is safe offender located at 929 offenders within the 2 registered sex offenders Grove Street. There was immediate area of the within area. also a report of theft on the property. These are the only 2700 block of 10th Street criminal issues in the South. immediate area.

Accessibl This property is located on This property is located on Nice access, buildings set e the intersection of the intersection of Highway back away from Highway, location ( Huntington Avenue and 10th 54 and 32nd Street North. private setting. entrance Street South. Entrance onto These are two high traffic ways, no both Huntington Avenue roads in Wisconsin Rapids. one-way and 10th Street South. Entrance onto Highway 54

30 streets) and 32nd Street.

Convenie This location is one city The location is out of town 5 minutes from south side of nt for block off of 8th Street South. avoiding stop and go traffic. Wisconsin Rapids. parents Not located near densely packed areas such as downtown. Attractiv The building appears to be Open space away from Great layout and private on e in good shape and wouldn’t densely packed areas. big lot. location cost much to make it appear Away from busy downtown. ‘kid-friendly’. Quiet Building appears to be in great shape. Location on main roads.

Size of Building: 19,400 square feet 8,0000 square foot main 2100 sq. ft. 1 ½ story house location Land: 50,000+ square feet building 5,000 square foot 1280 sq. ft. wood frame (Big attached garage metal building 2 stall garage. enough 2.4 acres land now and allows future expansio n) Surround Surroundings consist of Surrounding area is mainly Business District Near Skate ings are other businesses and some residential housing. City, which is popular with appropri housing. Businesses within There is large business across the older children and an ate for the area are appropriate. the highway. auto dealership. children’s museum (general area and surroundi ng business es) Parking This building has private Large parking lot with Lots of parking available. available parking available. Parking lighting. Parking on three lot is in fair condition but sides of the building. would need some work in Already blacktopped and in the future. good condition.

Easily This location is one city This location is easy to find Visitors will be able to find located block off of 8th Street South/ because it is on a main easily. for Highway 13. Should be able highway. Coming from visitors to locate easily with proper Highway 54 North (Plover), directions. Location would the location is immediately

31 be easier to find with a sign before town on the right. on the corner of 8th Street Coming from Highway 13 South/Highway 13 and South (Rome), just take a Huntington Avenue. right at the intersection of Highway 13 and Highway 54 and go north a few miles. The highway has higher travel speeds so this would reduce the time to get there.

Long- The City of Wisconsin Rapids There is nothing the city of The City of Wisconsin Rapids term has no future plans for this Wisconsin Rapids is planning has no future plans for this viability location at this time. to do with the area of the location at this time. location at the moment.

Other The inside of the building The inside of the main The large metal building can Commen seems to be open with building appears to have an be utilized for a larger exhibit ts plenty room. Appears to be open concept, which will that needs high ceilings. The in good shape. There are 2 help the design of the house can be used for the bathrooms available. renovation if the site is small exhibits with the use of chosen. individual rooms. Walls can be knocked down to increase the size of rooms as needed. I think it has potential and is in the price range if we could get a donation for the down payment.

32 Site Selection Worksheet – Rapids Children Museum (kyle

Factor Site 3241 Plover Rd. Wisconsin Rapids, WI Cost of location (works within capital constraints and  $265,000 selling offer ongoing limits of funds)  Terry Wolfe Reality 715-423-0561 ext. 13  http://www.showcase.com

Possibility of donation  Unknown Location is safe  There are two known sex offenders within the immediate area of the property. These are the only criminal issues in the immediate area. Accessible location ( entrance  This property is located on the intersection of hwy 54 and 32nd ways, no one-way streets) St. N. These are two, high traffic roads in Wisconsin Rapids.  Entrance onto hwy 54 and 32nd St. Convenient for parents  The location is out of town a mile or two, so this would avoid stop and go traffic.  Not located near densely packed areas such as downtown. Attractive location  Open space away from densely packed areas  Away from busy downtown  Quiet  Building appears to be in great shape  Location on main roads Size of location (Big enough  8,0000 square foot main building now and allows future  5,000 square foot attached garage expansion) Surroundings are appropriate  Surrounding area is mainly residential housing for children’s museum  There is large business across the highway (general area and surrounding businesses) Parking available  Large parking lot with lighting  Parking on three sides of the building  Already blacktopped and in good condition Easily located for visitors  This location is easy to find because it is on a main highway. Coming from hwy 54 N. (Plover), the location is immediately before town on the right.  Coming from hwy 13 S. (Rome), just take a right at the intersection of hwy 13 and hwy 54 and go north a few miles.  The highway has higher travel speeds so this would reduce the time to get there. Long-term viability  There is nothing the city of Wisconsin Rapids is planning to do

33 with the area of the location at the moment. Other Comments  The inside of the main building appears to have an open concept, which will help the design of the renovation if the site is chosen.

34 Site Selection Worksheet – Rapids Children Museum (devon, Tyler, Micahel)

Factor Site #1 (Include address Site #2 Site #3 and location 195 2nd street It’s the old Starbucks information) High visibility, there is building, you can go to The old Herschlebs high traffic corner that the Odgen and company building, it’s a former is across from the website for call them at old fashioned ice cream courthouse, the 1.888.771.3424 for parlor, very visible, a lot building is a 2 story information of traffic near where it building The property is owned is. by the bank

Cost of location (works 79,900 199,000 299,000 within capital constraints and ongoing limits of funds) Possibility of donation no no no

Location is safe It doesn’t seem to be I do not think that this The location is kind of too safe because there place is very safe safe there have been are 2 sex offenders that because there has some accidents and are near the building been theft, sex thefts, disorders and and another one that is offender, disorders, there is a sex offender a little bit away, and breaking and entering, that is down the road a there are some other there are community ways from the building. ones that were a policing around there missing person and as well, and it doesn’t computer crime seem that it will be so safe because it is near a courthouse and a bar. Accessible location There are 3 entrances, 1 There are a couple of It’s on 8th street, there ( entrance ways, no that is out front of the entrances, one on both are entrances on both one-way streets) building and 2 that are sides of the building, sides of the building, the at the sides of the and at the front of the easiest entrance is the building and there are building and at the rear entrance that is closed to no on ways, it’s easy to of the building, so pizza hut get in and out of the there seems that it’s parking lot and the easy to get to the building. There’s an building. alleyway Convenient for parents Yes its buy a restaurant It is convenient for It is convenient for and a grocery story if parents because its parents because it’s very you need to get easily to get to the easy to get to and to get groceries after you are building and get out of out of and there are done and if you need to the building and restaurants and places to

35 get something to eat as parking a lot and there eat that are close to it well, and it’s easy to see is a good amount of like McDonalds, and if the building to get parking places and its the parents need to do there and it’s easy to downtown and there is some shopping or get in and out of the a bank near buy banking there is a bank parking are and a general dollar near by Attractive location Yes and no because it’s It’s attractive because It is attractive because it highly visible, and the of how big the building is pretty good size and location is where there is it’s a 2 story building, it’s on a corner of 8th is a lot of traffic on but it’s near a bar and street that when you baker street and it’s an the building from the turn you can go to old fashioned building, outside doesn’t seem another road to turn into but the building looks that it’s in that good of the building you don’t run down. shape. have to go right off 8th street, and its next to McDonalds which for kids is a very good thing, it’s about 5471 square feet which isn’t bad. And the building seems like it is in good shape. Size of location (Big Total square feet is Total square feet is The building size is 5471 enough now and allows 3,192 and the land 5,642 and the land it’s all available, its future expansion) square feet is 20001- square feet is 1-10,000, separated into 3 50000 It may be big the down stairs is 2885 separate rentals at suites enough now but not for square feet and the of 1803, 1720, and 1948, future expansion upstairs part is 2757 no basement square feet Surroundings are There is a restaurant, a Court house is just There is a McDonalds, appropriate for gas station, a grocery across the street, there pizza hut, and a bulls eye children’s museum store, and another food is a bar that’s pretty credit union that are (general area and place, it’s seems close, and the USDA nearby, and a general surrounding appropriate for a Service center is like dollar, and staples is businesses) children’s museum right next door, and close, it seems there is a bank that’s appropriate for a pretty close, its seems children’s museum like its downtown not to appropriate for a children’s museum because of the bar Parking available The parking lot is pretty There is parking all The parking a lot is big, there is around the building, pretty big it seemed that opportunities to park you can park in there were about 40 on the street on the another business parking spaces in the sides of the building parking which are parking lot, and you can and the parking is pretty close, and you park in the pizza hut and

36 paved can park across the general dollar that are street from the next door and you can building park on the street that is behind the building. Easily located for It is easily located Its easily located It is very easy to locate visitors because it’s on a corner because it’s a pretty its on 8th street, it’s a on baker street by its big building, and its good size building and self and its very close to downtown and its next it’s next to pizza hut and IGA to the court house pretty close to McDonalds. Long-term viability nothing The waterfront plan nothing

Other Comments Its only for sale Being that its next to Its owned by the bank, the bar, it probably and that its divided into wouldn’t be a good 3 separate rental suites idea, there seem to be of 1803, 1720, 1948 a couple bars around in which could be a this area problem that you have to buy all of them

Factor Site #1 Site #2 Site #3 540 East Grand Ave. 1051 Baker Street 940 Huntington Ave. Cost of location (works $219,900 $189,900 $349,900 within capital constraints and ongoing limits of funds) Possibility of donation No Maybe, Owner will Not sure, Motivated finance Seller Location is safe Yes, by WRJH and Mc Yes Yes Millian Library Accessible location 2 Entrances 2 entrances 3 Entrances ( entrance ways, no 1 onto East Grand 1 onto Baker one-way streets) 1 onto 6 th Street S 1 onto 11th Street Convenient for parents Near many eateries Yes Yes Across from Library

Attractive location Nicely landscaped Not really, across from It's a bit run down. Recently remodeled a bait shop Needs some attention. Size of location (Big Lot size .4 acres 20001-50000 Land sq ft Lot. 50000+ enough now and allows 3071 sq ft Total sq ft 7974 Total sq ft 19400 future expansion) Surroundings are Location in East Grand Bait shop and a hair Located right behind appropriate for Ave. dresser located next the Zurfluh Business children’s museum Near library, Middle door. center. (general area and school, and right surrounding businesses) downtown Wisconsin Rapids Parking available Yes, small parking lot in Yes. Paved parking lot. Yes, Paved parking lot. front of building In need of some patching Easily located for Yes Yes off a main Hwy 54 Yes, right off of 8th visitors and 8th Street Street Long-term viability Yes, the building is in Yes, but the building Yes, lots of space. great shape. may need a bit of Room for remodeling. Includes 1 Bathroom and remodeling. Large open Large open space. room for improvements. space.

Other Comments All located on one floor, All on one floor. Open All located on one so easy access for concept. Not many floor. Lots of open consumers with walls to tear down. space. Front entrance disabilities. New roof in 2007. and Rear entrance.

Factor Site #1 (Include address Site #2 Site #2 and location information) 4021 8TH STREET 821 8th Street 195 N. 2nd Street SOUTH Wisconsin Rapids, WI Wisconsin Rapids, WI Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 54494

Cost of location (works within capital $199,000 $125,000 $1,000 a month rent or constraints and ongoing $139,900 to buy limits of funds) Possibility of donation This is a possibility as I It might be a It may be possible for think it is actually owned possibility, depends on donation since it has by the city who actually owns it. been on the market for over 180 days, however renting is a possibility. Location is safe Area is relatively safe. 8th Street has lots of Area is safe since its There have been a traffic. It could be a right on 8th street and couple burglaries in the little bit of a hazard. in a prime business area the past couple of But is a distance away location where officers months. There is also 1 from the road patrol on a regular registered sex offender, basis. but he lives several blocks away.

Accessible location Entrance way faces the Entrance faces road, Entrances to the ( entrance ways, no street and is easily multiple ways to get parking lot face 8th one-way streets) accessible, not sure if into parking lot. street with 2 driveways there is a back entrance. entering the parking lot There is normal traffic on both sides of the flow coming in the building. popular downtown area. Convenient for parents It is convenient for I think it is convenient Very convenient for parents to access this because everyone in parent since its in a building because of the town would know the high traffic location and high traffic area (walking location if they drive there is plenty of and vehicle) down 8th St. parking available.

Attractive location Even though the It could be an Nice location since its building may not be the attractive building, located right off of 8th most attractive, it is set doesn’t look like it St and it is right across in an area across from needs a lot of work the street from family the river and near where from the outside. video, and burger king. most festivals take place The skate park is also within a short walking

39 distance. Size of location (Big The building has 5, 642 This building is 6000 The building size is enough now and allows square feet with 2 square feet 2,528 square feet with future expansion) floors. I am not sure if a lot size of .37 acres. this footage includes the Unknown if there is a 2nd floor or not. basement. Surroundings are The downfall for this There are some other Surrounding area is appropriate for building is that it is in businesses around this appropriate since children’s museum the downtown area building that are used Burger King is on the (general area and where there are several quite frequently, such opposing corner and surrounding businesses) bars this would not be as a hotel. Family Video is right appropriate for the across the street, also children, but the the skate park is within attractiveness and walking distance along potential traffic may with Little Cesar's. outweigh this. Parking available There is available Parking is available and There is plenty of parking, but would be there is quite a bit of it. parking available with limited during the day as parking on both sides of the court house is the building and behind nearby and the area gets it. used for overflow. It is also in a high traffic area which is a plus Easily located for This building should be Anyone who drives Visitors would easily be visitors easily located for visitors down 8th street can able to view the coming into the city. easily see this location. business since it's a larger building and located on 8th street. Long-term viability I don’t see this building This could be a good This building could be being used for the long- start up building, may used for long term due term but it would be a or may not be good for to the size for growth good starter building. long term. and its location. Other Comments This building was once used as the Stars Daycare so some parents may already know of its location.