Explorit plans to expand hours for visiting the museum

What’s better than 20 hours of hands-on science opportunities every week? How about 25 or 27?

After several years of requests from the public, Explorit is laying plans to expand its public hours. Final decisions about the hours haven’t been made, but three modifications are likely:

• Explorit’s museum will be open longer on both Saturdays and Sundays. (Current weekend hours are 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

“We’ve heard from many parents that 11 a.m. is a late starting time for very young children who take afternoon naps,” said Megan Contreras, program director. “Opening at 9:30 or 10 will allow those families to come enjoy an hour or two here and still be home for naptime.”

• The museum will open one weekday morning a week. (Current weekday hours are 2 – 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. School groups visit in the mornings.)

“Again, being open from 2-4:30 doesn’t work well for the families with young children,” Contreras said. “Many parents of preschoolers would like to visit while their older children are at school. We look forward to hosting play groups, child-care groups, parents who just want to get out of the house with their little ones, and anyone who might like to visit when the center is a bit quieter.”

• The museum will expand its hours on Fridays.

In particular, that will serve visitors who come on “Free Admission Fridays” on the fourth Friday of every month. Explorit recently received a $10,000 grant from the Kelly Foundation to sponsor Free Fridays.

“By the close of school on Fridays, there isn’t much time left to visit Explorit under our current schedule,” Contreras said. “Our visitors from outside Davis have a particularly difficult time.”

One option will be staying open later on some Fridays, perhaps till 7 or 8 p.m.

“Some people are looking for a fun family experience at the close of the work- and school week,” Contreras said.

The new hours will begin for a trial period on Saturday, Sept. 19, coinciding with the opening of the three-month exhibition “Communication! Coming in Loud and Clear.” Refinements may be made based on visitor response.

Explorit’s staff would like to hear from the public about the changes to its public hours. Comments and suggestions may be emailed to explorit@explorit.org.

“We’ve been wanting to do this for quite some time,” Contreras said. “For three full years now, we’ve been adding to the collection of exciting activities at our site on Second Street. Now we want to make sure people have plenty of opportunities to come explore them.”

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An early chance to enjoy longer weekend hours will happen this weekend. On Saturday only, Explorit will open at 9:30 a.m. The Yolo County Public Library will celebrate its temporary relocation Saturday at 2801 Second St., adjoining Explorit.

Both organizations will host a community open house from 12-4 p.m. The free event will feature refreshments, live music, a clown, balloons, storytime and tours of both Explorit and the new library.

For more information about Explorit: (530) 756-0191 or http://www.explorit.org.