Breaking ground on WonderTrek Children’s Museum
A place built for play, possibility, and lifelong learning
The vision for WonderTrek Children’s Museum moved closer to reality this summer as families, educators, and community leaders gathered to break ground in Baxter. Designed to spark curiosity and connection, the museum will be a hands-on hub where kids and caregivers can learn together.
“When we first imagined WonderTrek, it wasn't just about walls and exhibits. It was about creating a space where every child could feel the spark of curiosity come alive,” said Shannon Wheeler, Pequot Lakes Schools early childhood coordinator and WonderTrek board member. “A place where questions are celebrated, imaginations are stretched, and families can connect, explore, and grow together.”
That idea is at the heart of WonderTrek, and it’s why Sourcewell became the project’s lead contributor and strategic investor. The museum will house the Center for Interactive Play and Learning, an interactive space paired with engaging programming for kids and adults to explore the power of play and develop deeper connections through shared discovery.
“It's a beautiful place where kids are going to be able to learn from their play, enjoy time with their families, and just really be together as a community,” said Sourcewell’s Chief Regional Solutions Officer and WonderTrek Board Chair Paul Drange. “That's why we're doing this. It’s going to enhance what's already happening in this great community, in this great region. And it's just an honor and a privilege to be a part of it.”
Sourcewell’s support reflects its commitment to helping communities create meaningful opportunities for families. Dedicated to boosting student and community success, the organization recognizes that learning begins long before a child enters a classroom and continues throughout life. Out-of-school experiences — especially those rooted in play — stimulate early brain development and lay the foundation for lifelong learning and long-term success.
“Learning doesn’t wait for the first day of school, and it doesn’t stop when the bell rings,” said Sourcewell CEO Dr. Chad Coauette. “So that is what makes this so exciting, because we also all know that kids learn best when they're free to explore and play.”
The WonderTrek vision began in 2015 with a magazine article and an image of CNC mills in the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota that caught Coauette’s eye. He shared it with Drange, and the two toured the Mankato museum, imagining what something similar could look like closer to home.
“This idea started as a simple question: If not us, who? If not now, when?” said Coauette.
That question grew into a decade-long journey of partnerships with educators, local leaders, and organizations across central Minnesota. Now, with kids digging in ceremonial dirt and shovels in hand, that vision is becoming reality.
With more than $6 million already raised, WonderTrek is in the final fundraising phase to open its doors in early 2026. To learn more about the museum’s vision, plans, and how you can support is future, visit the WonderTrek Museum website.