February 23, 2013, was a special day for Discovery Place and the Sandhills region as the community opened the doors to Discovery Place Kids-Rockingham.

As we look back on the first five years, we remember so many smiles, experiments, dances and aha! moments. Here are just a few highlights of what we have accomplished together.

• Who can forget the first day? The Museum opened with a weekend-long community celebration. More than 2,200 children and caregivers participated in activities and events including meeting Can Can, our mascot, for the first time.
• Throughout the years, Discovery Place Kids-Rockingham has developed and hosted many community events. From the annual Countdown to Kindergarten celebration that helps children get ready for the first day of school and the Cardboard Challenge, which encouraged innovation and creativity, to the I CAN Be Anything Fair, which exposes kids to career options, the Museum is dedicated to helping children see what their futures might hold.
• Each spring, the Museum has hosted a 5K/1 mile road race. First called the Big Fun Run, the race soon changed to Run for the Ribbons as we partnered with The Foundation of FirstHealth. Now entering its fourth year, the race encourages a healthy and active lifestyle and supports the health programs of both the Museum and the Foundation.
• With the benefit of the Museum’s endowment, we are proud to have developed programs that provide broad access to the Museum. The Welcome program offers $1 per person admission to families who receive public assistance through EBT or WIC. Each school year, the Museum hosts Elementary School Family Nights where local schools are invited to attend exclusive evening hours for half price admission. Discounted or free admission also is provided each year to families who celebrate the Summer Reading Finale with the Richmond County Library and for participants in Countdown to Kindergarten, Run for the Ribbons and the I CAN Be Anything Fair.

As the Museum prepares for its milestone fifth birthday, we are so grateful for the support and encouragement we have received from Members, visitors, donors, community leaders, volunteers, staff, Board members and everyone in the region.