The Discovery Center Programs (Preschool, UPK, Afterschool, Extended Play & Summer Camps)
Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, 60 Morgan Rd, Binghamton, NY 13903
About
The Discovery Center Programs (Preschool, UPK, Afterschool, Extended Play & Summer Camps) take place at The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, a hands-on interactive children’s museum that offers Preschool, Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), Afterschool, Extended Play Programs, and Summer Camps. These programs use over 40 interactive exhibits inside and outside the museum, including the Story Garden outdoor exhibit space and the Kids Commons addition, which is used for weekday preschool activities, summer camps, and weekend programming.
• Ages: 3–12 years old
• Schedule: Open hours include options Monday–Friday and weekends, with general museum and program access available between 10AM and 5PM on most days
• Price: Exclusive Birthday VIP Ticket Package: For $280, includes two tickets to Wine and Roses, two tickets to the 40th Birthday Gala, and two 50/50 raffle tickets.
The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier states that it is committed to creating an environment that fosters the intellectual, physical and emotional well-being of children through education, participatory exhibits and programs. Staff members are sensory-trained through KultureCity, with accommodations that include sensory spaces, noise-canceling headphones, and calming tools. The Story Garden is described as an award winning outdoor exhibit space with books associated with each garden vignette.
The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier identifies itself as the Southern Tier's only hands-on children's museum and is located within Binghamton’s historic Ross Park next to Ross Park Zoo. The Story Garden is open every day from dawn to dusk from April 15 through November 1. Discovery On-the-Go is a traveling extension of the museum that delivers STEAM-based learning and creative play directly to classrooms, playgrounds, and community centers, and the organization runs an annual virtual Read-A-Thon fundraiser where community members read children’s books out loud.
The leadership team includes Executive Director Brenda Myers and board officers Kayla Velie (President), Marci Goodwin (Vice President), Brian DeBoyace (Treasurer), and Lindsay Spauster (Secretary), along with multiple board members. Additional staff roles include a Director of Education, Assistant Executive Director and Visitor Services Director, Arts and Cultural Education Coordinator, Story Garden Coordinator, Facilities Director, Preschool Teachers, UPK Teachers, Afterschool Childcare Assistants, Summer Camp Counselors, Kids Club Co-Coordinator, Kids Club Assistant Teacher, Receptionists, Gallery Staff, Cleaning Staff, Financial Assistant, Community Outreach Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and Weekend Supervisors.
Dr. Brenda Myers, Executive Director, states that The Discovery Center aims to be a place where every child and family can explore, imagine, and discover, and describes the museum as a hub for the community. Former Executive Director Pokey Crocker (1988–2016) describes the museum as offering diversion, fun, love, and a happy day, and invites families to come often and stay as long as they would like.
Last updated February 6, 2026.
• Ages: 3–12 years old
• Schedule: Open hours include options Monday–Friday and weekends, with general museum and program access available between 10AM and 5PM on most days
• Price: Exclusive Birthday VIP Ticket Package: For $280, includes two tickets to Wine and Roses, two tickets to the 40th Birthday Gala, and two 50/50 raffle tickets.
The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier states that it is committed to creating an environment that fosters the intellectual, physical and emotional well-being of children through education, participatory exhibits and programs. Staff members are sensory-trained through KultureCity, with accommodations that include sensory spaces, noise-canceling headphones, and calming tools. The Story Garden is described as an award winning outdoor exhibit space with books associated with each garden vignette.
The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier identifies itself as the Southern Tier's only hands-on children's museum and is located within Binghamton’s historic Ross Park next to Ross Park Zoo. The Story Garden is open every day from dawn to dusk from April 15 through November 1. Discovery On-the-Go is a traveling extension of the museum that delivers STEAM-based learning and creative play directly to classrooms, playgrounds, and community centers, and the organization runs an annual virtual Read-A-Thon fundraiser where community members read children’s books out loud.
The leadership team includes Executive Director Brenda Myers and board officers Kayla Velie (President), Marci Goodwin (Vice President), Brian DeBoyace (Treasurer), and Lindsay Spauster (Secretary), along with multiple board members. Additional staff roles include a Director of Education, Assistant Executive Director and Visitor Services Director, Arts and Cultural Education Coordinator, Story Garden Coordinator, Facilities Director, Preschool Teachers, UPK Teachers, Afterschool Childcare Assistants, Summer Camp Counselors, Kids Club Co-Coordinator, Kids Club Assistant Teacher, Receptionists, Gallery Staff, Cleaning Staff, Financial Assistant, Community Outreach Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and Weekend Supervisors.
Dr. Brenda Myers, Executive Director, states that The Discovery Center aims to be a place where every child and family can explore, imagine, and discover, and describes the museum as a hub for the community. Former Executive Director Pokey Crocker (1988–2016) describes the museum as offering diversion, fun, love, and a happy day, and invites families to come often and stay as long as they would like.
Last updated February 6, 2026.
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