Field Trips

The Childrens Museum is committed to life-long learning and the importance of an educated community.  We understand that fun, educational science- and math- based field trips and outreach programs allow children to become excited about the world around them. We provide an environment that maximizes learning by allowing children to develop a sense of curiosity and encouraging an interest in formal studies which include math, science and technology.

Download our 2007-08 Teacher Resource Guide to view registration information, a comprehensive list of grade-appropriate classroom programs, Science Dome shows, outreach presentations, and special exhibit attractions.

Use the Reservation Worksheet as a guide in planning your field trip to The Children’s Museum.

Download our Field Trip Guide to help prepare you and your class for a fun and educational visit to us. Use the checklist to make sure all of the elements of your field trip are in place.

To request a printed copy of the Teacher Resource Guide or to make a reservation for a field trip or outreach program, email events@thechildrensmuseumct.org or call (860) 231-2830, ext. 44.  (For reservation information for Roaring Brook Nature Center, call (860) 693-0263.)

Don’t forget: Go to our Show Library for a listing of our Science Dome presentations.

Field Trip Reservation Worksheet

Please have the following information ready when you call to make a school group reservation. You can print out this page and refer to it when you call the registration department at The Children’s Museum.

We can be reached at (860) 231-2830, ext. 44 or e-mail events@thechildrensmuseumct.org.

Contact Person:

School Name:

School address:

City, State, Zip:

School phone number:

School fax number:

Alternate/evening phone number:

Email address:

Grade level:

Number of students:

Number of teachers:

Number of chaperones:

Special needs?

Date preference:

Estimated Arrival time: (must be at least 15 minutes prior to your first program)

Estimated Departure time:

Program preference:

Will you visit the Explore Store?

Do you plan to picnic at the Museum? (Keep in mind, there is no indoor eating space)

Get Your Class Ready

After your reservation has been made, use this checklist to make sure all of the elements of your successful field trip are in place. If you have any questions or changes to make, please give us a call at 860-231-2830, ext. 44 or email events@thechildrensmuseumct.org.

Immediately after receiving your written confirmation, review it for accuracy.

2-3 Weeks before your trip:

• Review your goals for your visit.  Do you want to link into your curriculum and standards, stimulate curiosity, encourage questions and connections, find new areas of interest?
• Visit The Children’s Museum ahead of time.
  • Teachers receive free admission.  Stop in any time during our regular hours of operation.
  • Pick up maps and handouts at the admissions desk.
  • Make notes about appropriate exhibits, good questions to ask, activity ideas.
  • Visit the Explore Store to look for books, and other educational items you can use to prepare your students.  Teachers receive a 10% discount!

• Explore this website for up-to-date information about exhibits and other useful information.
• Confirm your transportation arrangements and bus schedule.
• Recruit chaperones.  The Museum’s required chaperone student ratio is 1:10.
• Send out parent permission slips.

1 Week before your trip:

• Review your confirmation again and make sure all items are correct.  Call The Children’s Museum, if you need to make changes, particularly to your attendance numbers. Final attendance adjustments can be made 48 hours prior to your visit by contacting the Registration Department.  For groups who have reconfirmed their attendance numbers, refunds are issued for overpayments of $20.00 or more.
• Confirm chaperones and send them information about the trip, including:
  • Chaperone responsibilities as outlined in the Field Trip Guide on the web and on the back of your confirmation.
  • Schedule of the day.
  • Map and directions (if necessary).
  • Your phone number, if there are any questions.
  • Prepare students
  • Discuss the goals of your visit to the Museum.
  • Get students excited about what they will be learning.
  • Review schedule and plans for the trip.
  • Share behavior expectations and generate your own guidelines.
  • Review The Children’s Museum manners and rules.
    • Stay with chaperones at all times.
    • Respect others in the group, the museum property, other visitors, staff, and animals.
    • Use indoor voices.
    • No running or jumping in The Museum.
    • No food or drink in The Museum.
    • Backpacks may not be brought into The Museum.Gather a few large cardboard boxes or bags for brown bag lunches. 
    • Make nametags, which include the school and teacher's names.
    • Assemble a packet to bring with you:
      • Copy of confirmation
      • Driving directions
      • List of all students and chaperones
      • Group and bus assignments
      • Student nametags
      • Additional maps of the museum
      • Schedule of the day
      • Assemble a first aid kit.  A nurse is not on duty at The Children’s Museum.

Before leaving school:

• Be sure you have full payment for your field trip. 
• Hand out schedules and nametags to each of your chaperones, and assign students to groups.

• Box all bagged lunches. 
• Take a head count of students, chaperones, and teachers.  You will need exact numbers when you check in.
• Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your first scheduled class.
• Give the drivers/bus drivers maps and confirm departure time.

Arrival:

• Buses proceed halfway up the driveway to the Main Entrance.
• The lead teacher checks in at the Admissions Desk at the Main Entrance.
• All children and additional chaperones must stay on the bus.
• Bus proceeds around the administration building to the bus parking area.  Buses wait in this area for the leader to return with further instructions.
• If you have coats and lunches, you may want to leave them on the bus.  Storage is limited. 

 Check in and orientation:

• For check-in the leader should have
  • An accurate count of students, teachers, and chaperones.
  • A copy of the confirmation letter.
  • Payment in full with one school or bank check, by cash (large bills only please), or MasterCard or Visa.
• Detailed classroom or Science Dome schedules and maps are issued to the group leader.
• Lead teacher returns to the bus parking area to review schedules and disperse additional maps to chaperones.  At this time, the group leader reminds everyone of The Museum’s rules and safety suggestions.
• The entire group enters through the courtyard at the rear of The Museum.
• Upon entering, do not congregate in the small hallway in The Museum.  Continue in smaller groups to various exhibit areas, or to the Science Dome or specific classroom, if scheduled

Departure:

• Gather at your designated time and meeting place and collect your belongings.
• Take a head count to make sure you haven’t left anyone behind.

After your visit: