NEDERLAND — After a long journey from conception to reality, parents and young families in Nederland finally got to celebrate the official opening of the New Explorers Learning Center on Saturday, October 17 as TEENS, Inc. Board President Helaine Mann was joined by many excited children while she cut the ribbon on the new, state-of-the-art childcare facility.

“We are doing so much more than just opening up a building,” Mann said to the crowd, “we’re opening a new world of possibilities for our youngest learners.” 

Interim President of the TEENS, Inc. Board of Directors, Helaine Mann, wields the giant scissors for the momentous occasion.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

Members of the TEENS, Inc. and New Explorers teams, as well as donors, contractors, and parents, had all gathered at 750 West 5th Street to hear from Mann, and also from TEENS, Inc. Executive Director Stephen LeFaiver; Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood Development; former Nederland Mayor Billy Giblin; Kaycee Headrick of the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County; and from local childcare educators Karen Campbell and Lisa McCoy. 

Once the ribbon was cut, everyone lined up to enter the building to take a tour and see firsthand the quality work and care that has gone into every aspect of the new New Explorers Learning Center.

The event signified the end of a journey that had its fair share of bumps along the way, but that has assured the youth of Nederland that their journeys of learning and discovery will travel along smooth paths.