The Children's Museum of Wilmington annual report summarizes activities from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016. It discusses financial highlights including increased income from fundraisers and grants. It also provides details on education programs, summer camps, marketing efforts, development activities, awards received, and staffing. The report demonstrates the Museum's growth and impact on the local community.

1. ANNUAL
REPORT
FY 2015-2016
A concise report of activities from the Children’s Museum of Wilmington
starting April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.
Imagination
Curiosity Love of
Learning

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
About the Children’s Museum of Wilmington __________________________________________________________ 1
Financial Summary_______________________________________________________________________________________ 2
Guest Services ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 3
Education, Programming and Outreach ________________________________________________________________ 4
Marketing and Public Relations _________________________________________________________________________ 5
Development______________________________________________________________________________________________ 6
Museum Sponsors and Partners ________________________________________________________________________ 7
Awards and Accomplishments __________________________________________________________________________ 8
Staff, Volunteers and Interns ____________________________________________________________________________ 9

3. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 1
About the Children’s Museum of Wilmington
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear members of the community,
Since its opening in 1997, the Children’s Museum of Wilmington has
changed in significant ways and continues to enhance our
community through its educational exhibits and programs.
This annual report appreciates and acknowledges the efforts of
staff, board members and friends of the Children’s Museum
throughout the 2015-2016 fiscal year. It is with great joy that we
are able to compile a report consisting the Museum’s most innovative and progressive years in its history.
As the Executive Director, I thank you for your support, which is vital to the growth and development of the
Museum and the children of the community.
Sincerely,
Richard E. Lawson
Executive Director
OUR MISSION
"The Children's Museum of Wilmington stimulates
children's imagination, curiosity and love of
learning through interactive and age appropriate
science, math and art activities."
OUR VISION
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington celebrates the
joys of childhood by providing magical and playful
experiences to children of all ages. Our goal is for all of
our visitors to learn amazing things about themselves
and the world in which we live through interactive,
child-directed experiences. In our warm and inviting
environment, children and their caretakers find ample
opportunity to explore and better understand the arts,
sciences, culture and more through engaging exhibits
and programs.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Harriett Loweth, President
Bill Paris, President Elect
Lindsay Prickett, Past President
Monty Recoulley, Treasurer
Liz Carroll
Rev. Wayne Johnson Sr.
Jean Keller
Anne Tilghman Reiss
Kim Shipley
Rika Spencer
Alexis Wall
Helen Wells
Anne Williams
Megan Winslett
Rob Zapple

4. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 1
Financials
HIGHLIGHTS
We’ve increased income from our fundraisers by 41% increasing last year’s profit of
$79,954 to $113,194.
We’ve increased grant income by 114% increasing last year’s income from $78,633 to
$168,908.
We increased field trip sales by 16% increasing last year’s profit from $19,005 to $22,065.

5. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 2
Guest Services Special Events
Mud Day: The messiest fun you can imagine!
Explore Magic Mud, a substance with the properties
of both a liquid and a solid. Make mud pies in our
outdoor kitchen, give yourself a mud mask, or just
play in the mud!
New Year’s Noon: No need to stay up late for
this family-friendly New Year’s celebration—we’re
ringing in the New Year at noon! Make glitzy slime,
fabulous party crowns, pretzel “sparklers,” and
streamer sticks and join the countdown at noon
with noisemakers and lots of confetti!
Egg Hunt: Hop over to the courtyard for an Egg
Hunt! Create art projects, play games and release butterflies to celebrate spring!
Family Farm Day: Get up close with some of our favorite barnyard animals! Meet a baby goat,
baby pigs, chicks, rabbits and other barnyard animals in the courtyard. Plant some herbs to
take home with you and make butter at our Science Center.
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIPS
2015-2016
Contributing: 3
ACM Reciprocal: 35
Anytime: 331
Weekday: 22
ATTENDANCE
2015-2016: ~65,000 visitors
FIELDTRIPS
2015-2016: 89
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
2015-2016: 116

6. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 3
Education, Programming and Outreach
GRANT FUNDED PROGRAMS
Leading to Reading
The Museum provides pre-literacy education to under-served pre-kindergarten children.
Children are brought to the Museum to engage in enriching, hands-on pre-literacy activities.
New Hanover County Schools provide the Museum with grants, along with support from the
community, to sustain this program. From January to May.
Amount of children served: 540 Funded by: New Hanover County Schools
STEM All-Stars
The Institute of Museum and Library Services provided the Museum with a grant to create a
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) “All-stars” program for twenty-three Title 1
third grade students. These students visited the museum twice a month for STEM experiments
that aligned with NC Science curriculum as well as including teacher and parent lessons
for further expansion. 10 students from UNCW and Cape Fear Community College assisted in
teaching with this program. This is a 2 year program running from January 2016 to May 2017.
Amount of children served: 23 Funded by: The Institute of Museum and Library Services
Bright Minds
Duke Energy provided a one year grant to the Children’s Museum to host a scientific
exploration program, which teaches STEM-related subjects through experimentation to
underserved first grade children. These children participated in multiple experiments all
aligning with the NC Science Curriculum. Bright Minds was both an in-house and out of house
program involving 6 New Hanover elementary schools. The program ran from October 2015 to
May 2016.
Amount of Children Served: 616 Funded by: Duke Energy

7. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 4
DAILY PROGRAMS
Adventures in the Arts: Children express their creativity
through various forms of art.
Child Yoga: Children learn to perform animal poses, improve
flexibility and coordination, and learn relaxation techniques
that will help navigate life’s challenges with a bit more ease.
Aquatic Adventures: Children dive into marine science to
learn about the physics, chemistry and biology of our world’s
oceans.
Jump! Move! Learn!: Children learn how to keep their bodies
healthy and happy by learning new exercises and games while
learning all about the human body.
S.T.E.M. Explorations: Our exciting STEM program explores
science, technology, engineering and mathematics by applying
them in a fun, hands-on activities. Children learn about the
scientific processes
while measuring
and recording, and
developing critical
thinking skills in
the process.
Kids Cooking Club:
Explore seasonal
recipes and savor
the flavor of your
hard work.
StoryCOOKS: Cooking club for our preschoolers. Each week
we’ll read a new story and create a dish inspired by the book.
Toddler Time: Help your little one express their creativity and
practice using gross and fine motor skills.
Preschool Story Time: preschoolers are introduced to simple
stories and songs to encourage pre-literacy education.
Nature Navigators: Children learn about the wonders of the
natural world through interactive experiments and activities.
Ahoy Wilmington!
Art Studio
Forest Friends Toddler
Treehouse
Grocery Store
Imagination Playground
International Diner
Leading to Reading Literacy
Exhibit
Lego Exhibit
Port of Call
Teddy Bear Hospital
Dive Shop
Sea and Me Room
Tooth-A-Saurus Dental
Exhibit
Art Studio
Magnetic Minds Science
Center:
NASA Center
5 simple Machines
Audio Lab
Mixology Science Counter
Meteorology Exhibit
INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS

8. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 5
SUMMER CAMPS
French Camp: Teaching the basic principles of French including numbers, letters and
objects. Designed to be a repetitive program with multiple levels.
Galaxy Academy: Campers will learn about
different characters, construct their own light
saber, and explore the legendary Star Wars series
through arts, crafts, science, and more!
Girls in STEM: Our science camp encourages girls
to explore the world around them using hands-on
activities and experiments. They will learn the
basics of biology, chemistry, and physics in a fun and educational environment.
Kids in the Kitchen: This camp will be focused on teaching your child to eat healthy and
happy. We will learn all about nutrition, diet, and exercise. Each day we will create a dish
to add to our very own recipe books which we will take home at the end of the week
Mini Masterpieces: This camp will focus on the importance of letting your creative side
show! We will learn about various artists, create our own sculptures, and even put on an
art show.
OUTREACHES
Bright Minds JDRF
Cape Fear Buddy Walk Cucalorus Film Festival
Pink Bow Tie STEM Night
NC Aquarium Santa By the Sea Spring Event
Purple Carpet Mardi Gras Event
Memories of A Child
Orange Theory
Cow-A-ween
Art In The Arboretum
Career Day in Pender County
WORKSHOPS
The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program ® is a parenting and family support system
designed to prevent – as well as treat – behavioral and emotional problems in children
and teenagers. This is a grant funded program that reached over 50 families in the spring.
This program is partnered and presented by Smart Start of New Hanover County.

9. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 6
Marketing and Public Relations
Goal: “Increase awareness, admissions and event attendance. Creating, developing and expanding
our community relationships and partnership.”
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 Internship outreach efforts led to gaining 7 UNCW students to our internship
program. All 7 UNCW students successfully completed the internship program.
 4th Annual Pizza Putt Fundraiser – saw a significant increase in attendance, funds
raised (2015 raised ~ $2,000, 2016 ~ $12,000) and sponsor involvement. Pizza
Putt marketing generated a notable increase in reach and referrals. Also led to
sponsor retention for upcoming fundraisers.
 Created a relationship with local networking group, Port City Young Professionals
(PCYP). PCYP featured the Museum as their “non-profit of the month”. Pizza Putt
made it as the PCYP “Spotlight Event of the Month” allowing the Museum to speak
to 100+ people about the fundraiser at their monthly networking event.
 Marketing exposure led to gaining a new exhibit and exhibit sponsor, SnapSnap
Portraits. Exposure also led to several new partnerships and potential sponsors.
 Marketing & Press Proposal – Obtained a monthly radio spot on a local radio
station, Jammin 99.9, as well as creating an ongoing working relationship with 2
radio additional stations, 2 news stations and several online media outlets.
 Obtained a Museum 8 x 10 “Step and Repeat” at no cost through a sponsorship.
 Created and obtained a new exhibit, the Venus Flytrap Exhibit at no cost through
new sponsors and partners.
IN THE WORKS
 Marketing exposure led to a relationship with Lowes Foods. Currently working
with Lowes Foods on a potential Grocery Store Exhibit sponsorship!
 Marketing upcoming fall and winter fundraisers, events and programs.
 Evaluating the difference in our ROI between print and digital marketing and
advertising. Hoping to lower cost by moving towards digital marketing.
 Developing a new website for the Museum. Working with a local developer while
also keeping cost below $500 for an entire new website.

10. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 7
Development
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington depends upon
donations and raised income to continue its mission. The
Museum is a non-profit, 501c3 organization funded exclusively
by the community, individuals and sponsorships.
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington was incredibly excited
and honored to receive a $40,000 grant from Duke Energy to
create a pilot program, giving 616 first grade students hands-
on STEM experiments.
Fundraiser Amount Raised
Fore the Children Golf Tournament $25,000
YachtVenture $29,522
PizzaPutt $12,000
Grants Received: $10,000+ Amount Awarded
Duke Energy $40,000
City of Wilmington $10,000
New Hanover County $10,000
Live Oak Bank $10,000
Pizza Putt:
The Children’s Museum
hosted its 3rd annual Pizza
Putt fundraiser! This
fundraiser brought together
hundreds of current patrons,
donors, new visitors and
businesses.
This year’s Pizza Putt was
extremely successful,
increase funds raised by 6
times!
YachtVenture:
The Children’s Museum
hosted its 5th annual
YachtVenture fundraiser.
This elegant event brings in
around 300-400 people
annually.
Bringing in a net income of
$29,522, funds raised from
this event assisted the
Museum’s effort to enhance
early literacy skills and
STEM education.
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11. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 8
Museum Sponsors and Partners
Exhibit sponsors:
Teddy Bear Hospital, Wilmington Health
Tooth-A-Saurus, Dimock and Weinberg, D.D.S., P.A.
Port of Call, North Carolina State Ports Authority
Magnetic Minds Science Research Center, PPD
Six Simple Machines, Duke Energy
Forest Friends Toddler Treehouse, Landfall Foundation
Lego Train, Landfall Foundation
Courtyard, Cape Fear Garden Club
Schools served:
Gregory Elementary Forest Hills Elementary
Snipes Elementary College Road Early Childhood
Center
Winter Park Elementary Rachel Freeman Elementary
Castle Hayne Elementary Wrightsboro Elementary
Johnson Pre-K Center Mary Washington Howe Pre-K
Center
Event sponsors ($1,000+):
Bill Paris Photography MarineMax
Carolina Fireplace Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates
Filmwerks International Inc. Jim & Fran Summerlin
Rexroad Loweth Wealth Management PPD
The Forks at Barclay Coastal Beverage Company
Wells Marine Insurance Rocky Campagna
Sawmill Catering Company Intracoastal Designs Inc.
Rippy Cadillac David & Nickie Ray
Coastal Carolina Neonatology, PLLC Clancy & Theys Construction Company
North State Bank Jack Jones
Marshall & Winslett Dental Excellence Tom & Mary Brown
Irongate Partners Cape Fear Commercial
UBS Financial Services
Port City Java Springer Eubank Company
James E. Moore Insurance Agency, Inc.
BRAX Fundraising
Young at Heart

12. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 9
Awards and Accomplishments
CMoW educator Mary Ellen Laughnan, was
honored as Smart Start New Hanover County’s
“2016 Children’s Champion” for her
exceptional work in children’s education.
CMoW was named “Family Favorite” by
Wilmington Parent magazine; were recognized as
Wilmington’s “Best family Museum” by
Wilmington Parent magazine’s Reader’s Choice
Awards; and received Encore Best Readers “Best
Museum” award.
CMoW was honored at a
Port City Young Professionals event as “Non-profit of the
Month.”
CMoW received a certificate of
appreciation from New Hanover
County Schools for our work with
individuals with disabilities.
CMoW received the Promising Practice Awards
Reimagined award from the MetLife Foundation and
Association of Children’s Museums entitled for our Urban
Arboretum outdoor exhibit idea.
The museum received Gregory Elementary’s "Certificate of Appreciation" for all our
time and support while participating in our STEAM program.

13. ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Page 10
Staff, Volunteers and Interns
FULL-TIME STAFF
ALLISON BRILHANTE
Director’s Assistant
BRIANNE WRIGHT
Grant Coordinator
JESSICA DAVIS
Educator
Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 107
abrilhante@playwilmington.org
Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 100
bwright@playwilmington.org
Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 101
jdavis@playwilmington.org
KATHLEEN KING
Director of Operations &
Guest Services
KELLIE FURR
Marketing Director
SLOANE PHILIPP
Educator
Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 102
kking@playwilmington.org
Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 105
kfurr@playwilmington.org
Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 101
sphilipp@playwilmington.org
PART-TIME STAFF: 26 INTERNS: 6 VOLUNTEERS: 150
MUSEUM INFORMATION
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington
116 Orange Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401
Tel 910-254-3534/ Fax 910-254-3565
www.playwilmington.org