The Children’s Discovery Center of the Central Coast has merged our organization with the former Exploration Station becoming the Exploration Discovery Center, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization. Since the original Exploration Station closed in 2016, our campus has been revamped with new exhibits and exciting activities. We are a non-profit children’s education and play space with an emphasis on sustainability. We have a campus that accommodates children ages 2-12. Our admission is dependent on parent/guardian participation. Our facilities include but are not limited to preschool play areas, archeology/geology education through play, rotating cultural and historical interactive exhibits, outdoor water play, aquaponic gardening, and a school-age learning lab. Our current location sits directly across the street from Ramona Park, at 867 Ramona Avenue in Grover Beach, CA 93433.
“Our new favorite play place! Always something new to explore! The kids absolutely love it and people are always so helpful and friendly. If you have littles this is the local place to be. Have 1,4,7-year-olds that all enjoy it!”
-Kimberly C, Mom to Kaliah (7), Kayden (4), and Cruz (1)
“We had a great time! My boys are 3 and 1.5: most was accessible for them, some things were too tall or difficult for them but there is so much available that it wasn’t an issue.”
-Jordan, Mom to Eli and Noah
“It’s the best place for my very energetic toddler to run around and play. We go weekly and he’s not even close to being tired of it.”
-Kelly, Mom to Archer (2)
” Thank You!! We always have fun when we come.”
-Rachel, Mom to Madison (9) and Milo (8)
“My son loves the painting station they have set up. So awesome! All the water activities are outside in the front, and Noah’s favorite area is where all the sand is so he can play for hours. I am so happy to have this place for my kid. Keeps him active and his mind going.”
-Jessica, Mom to Noah (2)
“We discovered this place right when they opened last year and instantly became members. Our boys are 7 and 5 and they both have a great time, every time we’re there. Highly recommended!”
-Eileen, Grandmother to Kai and Ardashess
In November 1999, Mr. Clark, as the incorporator, filed 501 (c) (3) papers with the California Secretary of State and appointed officers and members to the Board of Directors, thus creating The South County Family Educational and Cultural Center. As the name implies, the non-profit was created to ensure educational and cultural-oriented facilities and programs targeted for youth, primarily in the south part of San Luis Obispo County.
In the late 1990s, the city of Grover Beach built a new fire station leaving an empty building on Ramona Avenue, which had housed the city offices and council chambers, as well as the fire station. Well known for their philanthropy and community involvement throughout the South County area, Clifford and Mary-Lee Clark promoted the idea of forming a non-profit corporation that would buy the old fire station building and develop a youth facility for the Central Coast.
In June 2000, the Clarks enabled the corporation to purchase the empty Fire House from the Grover Beach City Council, through a personal loan of $180,000. In addition, the Clarks deeded two nearby parcels of property they owned to the corporation. One parcel would be dedicated to a community library and History3 the second to a youth arts/crafts center. These two properties are currently being rented until such time the corporation is ready to develop them.
During the next several months following the Fire House purchase, the Board of Directors developed a Mission Statement and goals. The Board proceeded to name the facility The Central Coast Exploration Station (Exploration Station), which was destined to become a facility where local families and visitors could enjoy revolving science exhibits, interactive displays, and weekly programs and activities designed to meet the educational and cultural needs of the youth of all ages.
Over the course of the year, a Founding Membership drive raised nearly $50,000, a part-time Executive Director position was created, a volunteer program was developed, and the facility was painted and repaired for occupancy. In the spring of 2001, educational programs were introduced targeting youth between the ages of 9 to 13 during after-school hours and vacations. To date, over 2,000 young people have attended the programs taught by volunteers in subject areas that are not generally found in school curricula.
From 2002 to 2010 the site was remodeled from a firehouse to a Science and Technology Interactive Center. This was very effective and reached many students until 2016. Then the focus changed to Computers 4 Youth a place where volunteers re-tooled old desktops and graciously donated them to thousands of youth. They also accelerated their E-waste capabilities helping to store and recycle thousands of electronics for the community. They also tried to have small robotics classes, cooking classes, and other fun events for the youth of the community.
As Covid hit, the E-waste business took a hit and the Computers 4 Youth program dried up as kids only wanted laptops, not desktop computers. in the Fall of 2020, Anita Shower and Robert Robert invited Debby Ugalde of the new visionary Children’s Discovery Center to visit their building. The Children’s Discovery Center did not have a building only a dream and a vision, so after a few discussions, a Merger was born! The new Business name is Exploration Discovery Center and we opened our doors for play in July of 2021. Our facilities are filled with fun interactive STEAM activities for children ages 2-12!
