Open Forum

Hello museum community! 

I am interested to gain perspective and suggestions from institutions who conduct fee based programs for schools, camps, clubs, etc.. field trips beyond general admission fees and the fee structure or policies for charging chaperones who attend the program with students. 

At KVM, (public local history and science museum, general admission is free), we've had a long standing fee structure basically outlines 6 students earns you 1 free adult to fee based programs, such as our planetarium. This field trip season we've been struggling more and more with over abundance of chaperones attending programs. Don't get me wrong, more chaperones spending time with their students is AWESOME, where the issue lies with a few things; 

a. school educators then have to decide which chaperones attend free, not fair for anyone
b. confusing to front desk staff conducting transactions via point of sale, which can put the burden who attends free on museum staff 
c. more chaperones in limited seating program spaces can cause all kinds of ramifications pending on the days schedule. Chaperones expect to attend a program, but then can't do to the program capacity in the space and/or the actual programming capacity for that particular day cannot be adjusted. 

Our planetarium fees are $3.00/per person, I'm pretty sure with no admission fee, we have to be the most budget friendly planetarium in the world. 

I'm considering proposing to the director for next school year we remove the 6/1 free ratio and implement a $1.00/chaperone for all fee based programs.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Good morning Megan! 

We have a few different admission cost structures here at NMAM, depending on the tour experience. 

Tour 1: 
Guided Tour, no project 
Children $3
Adults $4
Chaperones $4

Tour 2: 
K-4th Grade, with project
Children ​$4
Adults $5 (participating in project)
Chaperones $4 (not participating in project)

Tour 3:
5th Grade and up, with project
Children $6
Adults $7 (participating in project)
Chaperones $4 (not participating in project) 

My take on it is that the chaperones are still present and experiencing a tour so they need to pay admission. If they're not doing the project, then they simply pay the guided tour price since the other costs account for consumable materials. I think it's a good idea for you to start charging even a nominal fee for chaperones, so it's easier on you and front desk staff.  

Hope this helps!

------------------------------
Claire Aldenhuysen
Museum Educator
National Model Aviation Museum, Academy of Model Aeronautics
Muncie IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2018 03:28 PM
From: Megan Osetek
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

Hello museum community!

I am interested to gain perspective and suggestions from institutions who conduct fee based programs for schools, camps, clubs, etc.. field trips beyond general admission fees and the fee structure or policies for charging chaperones who attend the program with students.

At KVM, (public local history and science museum, general admission is free), we've had a long standing fee structure basically outlines 6 students earns you 1 free adult to fee based programs, such as our planetarium. This field trip season we've been struggling more and more with over abundance of chaperones attending programs. Don't get me wrong, more chaperones spending time with their students is AWESOME, where the issue lies with a few things;

a. school educators then have to decide which chaperones attend free, not fair for anyone
b. confusing to front desk staff conducting transactions via point of sale, which can put the burden who attends free on museum staff
c. more chaperones in limited seating program spaces can cause all kinds of ramifications pending on the days schedule. Chaperones expect to attend a program, but then can't do to the program capacity in the space and/or the actual programming capacity for that particular day cannot be adjusted.

Our planetarium fees are $3.00/per person, I'm pretty sure with no admission fee, we have to be the most budget friendly planetarium in the world.

I'm considering proposing to the director for next school year we remove the 6/1 free ratio and implement a $1.00/chaperone for all fee based programs.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Hi all,
Until this school year (2017-2018), we at Pacific Science Center (PSC) charged all chaperones at the same price as students (teachers were free). We had a few issues with not enough chaperones, as well as having chaperones arrive and want to use their PSC membership to come in for free, which caused both hold ups at the admissions gate and reimbursement requests from schools. 

This year, we both raised our chaperone requirement from 1:10 students to 1:6 students, and have made admission for chaperones at that ratio free, with additional adults needing to pay the student price. The exception to this is that we charge all chaperones for IMAX Documentary shows, as we are charged by IMAX for each attendee.

So far we've had less issues at admissions and have seen an increase in the # of chaperones, bringing them closer to our 1:6 desired ratio.

Best,
Keni​

------------------------------
Keni Sturgeon
Vice President, Science Engagement & Outreach
Pacific Science Center
Seattle WA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-21-2018 08:20 AM
From: Claire Aldenhuysen
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

Good morning Megan!

We have a few different admission cost structures here at NMAM, depending on the tour experience.

Tour 1:
Guided Tour, no project
Children $3
Adults $4
Chaperones $4

Tour 2:
K-4th Grade, with project
Children ​$4
Adults $5 (participating in project)
Chaperones $4 (not participating in project)

Tour 3:
5th Grade and up, with project
Children $6
Adults $7 (participating in project)
Chaperones $4 (not participating in project)

My take on it is that the chaperones are still present and experiencing a tour so they need to pay admission. If they're not doing the project, then they simply pay the guided tour price since the other costs account for consumable materials. I think it's a good idea for you to start charging even a nominal fee for chaperones, so it's easier on you and front desk staff.

Hope this helps!

------------------------------
Claire Aldenhuysen
Museum Educator
National Model Aviation Museum, Academy of Model Aeronautics
Muncie IN

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2018 03:28 PM
From: Megan Osetek
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

Hello museum community!

I am interested to gain perspective and suggestions from institutions who conduct fee based programs for schools, camps, clubs, etc.. field trips beyond general admission fees and the fee structure or policies for charging chaperones who attend the program with students.

At KVM, (public local history and science museum, general admission is free), we've had a long standing fee structure basically outlines 6 students earns you 1 free adult to fee based programs, such as our planetarium. This field trip season we've been struggling more and more with over abundance of chaperones attending programs. Don't get me wrong, more chaperones spending time with their students is AWESOME, where the issue lies with a few things;

a. school educators then have to decide which chaperones attend free, not fair for anyone
b. confusing to front desk staff conducting transactions via point of sale, which can put the burden who attends free on museum staff
c. more chaperones in limited seating program spaces can cause all kinds of ramifications pending on the days schedule. Chaperones expect to attend a program, but then can't do to the program capacity in the space and/or the actual programming capacity for that particular day cannot be adjusted.

Our planetarium fees are $3.00/per person, I'm pretty sure with no admission fee, we have to be the most budget friendly planetarium in the world.

I'm considering proposing to the director for next school year we remove the 6/1 free ratio and implement a $1.00/chaperone for all fee based programs.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

At our museum we allow certified teachers in for free. Any additional chaperones that are not teachers pay the same group rate as the students.

------------------------------
Melissa Sarver
Call Center Manager
COSI
Columbus OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2018 03:28 PM
From: Megan Osetek
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

Hello museum community!

I am interested to gain perspective and suggestions from institutions who conduct fee based programs for schools, camps, clubs, etc.. field trips beyond general admission fees and the fee structure or policies for charging chaperones who attend the program with students.

At KVM, (public local history and science museum, general admission is free), we've had a long standing fee structure basically outlines 6 students earns you 1 free adult to fee based programs, such as our planetarium. This field trip season we've been struggling more and more with over abundance of chaperones attending programs. Don't get me wrong, more chaperones spending time with their students is AWESOME, where the issue lies with a few things;

a. school educators then have to decide which chaperones attend free, not fair for anyone
b. confusing to front desk staff conducting transactions via point of sale, which can put the burden who attends free on museum staff
c. more chaperones in limited seating program spaces can cause all kinds of ramifications pending on the days schedule. Chaperones expect to attend a program, but then can't do to the program capacity in the space and/or the actual programming capacity for that particular day cannot be adjusted.

Our planetarium fees are $3.00/per person, I'm pretty sure with no admission fee, we have to be the most budget friendly planetarium in the world.

I'm considering proposing to the director for next school year we remove the 6/1 free ratio and implement a $1.00/chaperone for all fee based programs.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Previously The Oakes Museum had admitted  both teachers and chaperones for free. Two years ago we begin charging for chaperones in order to increase revenue. That way we could avoid raising the cost for the field trip for the students and a parent could pay his or her own admission as a chaperone.  Teachers, aides, nurses etc. are still free.

------------------------------
Beth Erikson
Museum Coordinator
Oakes Museum of Natural History
Messiah College
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-21-2018 11:51 AM
From: Melissa Sarver
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

At our museum we allow certified teachers in for free. Any additional chaperones that are not teachers pay the same group rate as the students.

------------------------------
Melissa Sarver
Call Center Manager
COSI
Columbus OH

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2018 03:28 PM
From: Megan Osetek
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

Hello museum community!

I am interested to gain perspective and suggestions from institutions who conduct fee based programs for schools, camps, clubs, etc.. field trips beyond general admission fees and the fee structure or policies for charging chaperones who attend the program with students.

At KVM, (public local history and science museum, general admission is free), we've had a long standing fee structure basically outlines 6 students earns you 1 free adult to fee based programs, such as our planetarium. This field trip season we've been struggling more and more with over abundance of chaperones attending programs. Don't get me wrong, more chaperones spending time with their students is AWESOME, where the issue lies with a few things;

a. school educators then have to decide which chaperones attend free, not fair for anyone
b. confusing to front desk staff conducting transactions via point of sale, which can put the burden who attends free on museum staff
c. more chaperones in limited seating program spaces can cause all kinds of ramifications pending on the days schedule. Chaperones expect to attend a program, but then can't do to the program capacity in the space and/or the actual programming capacity for that particular day cannot be adjusted.

Our planetarium fees are $3.00/per person, I'm pretty sure with no admission fee, we have to be the most budget friendly planetarium in the world.

I'm considering proposing to the director for next school year we remove the 6/1 free ratio and implement a $1.00/chaperone for all fee based programs.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

​Hello!

At the New York Transit Museum (a decommissioned subway station turned history museum with a beautiful collection of vintage train cars), we charge every person on our school program tours. We have a flat rate of $175 per class, which covers 30 people (students, adults, chaperones, teachers, anyone). Any additional person over 30 is an extra $7 charge. The maximum amount of people we see in a class is about 42-43, because we have very small spaces. Some people grumble, especially the teachers who expect to be free, but it seems hassle-free on our end!

Good luck!

Lauren

------------------------------
Lauren Kinsley
New York Transit Museum
Brooklyn NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2018 03:28 PM
From: Megan Osetek
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

Hello museum community!

I am interested to gain perspective and suggestions from institutions who conduct fee based programs for schools, camps, clubs, etc.. field trips beyond general admission fees and the fee structure or policies for charging chaperones who attend the program with students.

At KVM, (public local history and science museum, general admission is free), we've had a long standing fee structure basically outlines 6 students earns you 1 free adult to fee based programs, such as our planetarium. This field trip season we've been struggling more and more with over abundance of chaperones attending programs. Don't get me wrong, more chaperones spending time with their students is AWESOME, where the issue lies with a few things;

a. school educators then have to decide which chaperones attend free, not fair for anyone
b. confusing to front desk staff conducting transactions via point of sale, which can put the burden who attends free on museum staff
c. more chaperones in limited seating program spaces can cause all kinds of ramifications pending on the days schedule. Chaperones expect to attend a program, but then can't do to the program capacity in the space and/or the actual programming capacity for that particular day cannot be adjusted.

Our planetarium fees are $3.00/per person, I'm pretty sure with no admission fee, we have to be the most budget friendly planetarium in the world.

I'm considering proposing to the director for next school year we remove the 6/1 free ratio and implement a $1.00/chaperone for all fee based programs.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

We offer one free chaperone for every 10 students (1:10). Additional chaperones can either pay the $8 school rate by paying in advance (collected by the lead teacher), or pay full priced admission the day of their visit. This is to encourage the group to pay for everyone in a single transaction to avoid long lines of chaperones at the admissions desk the day of their visit. 

Chaperones do not pay for Guided Tours or Programs, which are an added fee for students. 

------------------------------
Michael Martin
Member Engagement Manager
Air Zoo
Portage MI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2018 03:28 PM
From: Megan Osetek
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

Hello museum community!

I am interested to gain perspective and suggestions from institutions who conduct fee based programs for schools, camps, clubs, etc.. field trips beyond general admission fees and the fee structure or policies for charging chaperones who attend the program with students.

At KVM, (public local history and science museum, general admission is free), we've had a long standing fee structure basically outlines 6 students earns you 1 free adult to fee based programs, such as our planetarium. This field trip season we've been struggling more and more with over abundance of chaperones attending programs. Don't get me wrong, more chaperones spending time with their students is AWESOME, where the issue lies with a few things;

a. school educators then have to decide which chaperones attend free, not fair for anyone
b. confusing to front desk staff conducting transactions via point of sale, which can put the burden who attends free on museum staff
c. more chaperones in limited seating program spaces can cause all kinds of ramifications pending on the days schedule. Chaperones expect to attend a program, but then can't do to the program capacity in the space and/or the actual programming capacity for that particular day cannot be adjusted.

Our planetarium fees are $3.00/per person, I'm pretty sure with no admission fee, we have to be the most budget friendly planetarium in the world.

I'm considering proposing to the director for next school year we remove the 6/1 free ratio and implement a $1.00/chaperone for all fee based programs.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

All educational groups (preK-16) get 1 free adult with every 5 students. Our minimum group size is 10, so if a group has less than that, only one adult is free. Adults are defined as teachers or chaperones. For adults exceeding the ratio, we charge them the student rate - $7, $2 less than the adult rate. We encourage groups to bring as many chaperones as they can. Groups can pay for extra chaperones or individual chaperones can pay themselves at the reduced rate.

With disabled student/adult groups, we allow a 1 to 1 free chaperone ratio since their support needs are greater.

Before we renovated our gallery in 2015, the ratio was 1 to 5 for preK-2, grades 3 and up was 1 to 10.

Our adult group tours allows for one free tour guide per bus. Drivers are always free, even though they rarely come inside.

------------------------------
Alan Goldstein
Interpretive Naturalist, CIP
Falls of the Ohio State Park / Interpretive Center
Clarksville IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2018 03:28 PM
From: Megan Osetek
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

Hello museum community!

I am interested to gain perspective and suggestions from institutions who conduct fee based programs for schools, camps, clubs, etc.. field trips beyond general admission fees and the fee structure or policies for charging chaperones who attend the program with students.

At KVM, (public local history and science museum, general admission is free), we've had a long standing fee structure basically outlines 6 students earns you 1 free adult to fee based programs, such as our planetarium. This field trip season we've been struggling more and more with over abundance of chaperones attending programs. Don't get me wrong, more chaperones spending time with their students is AWESOME, where the issue lies with a few things;

a. school educators then have to decide which chaperones attend free, not fair for anyone
b. confusing to front desk staff conducting transactions via point of sale, which can put the burden who attends free on museum staff
c. more chaperones in limited seating program spaces can cause all kinds of ramifications pending on the days schedule. Chaperones expect to attend a program, but then can't do to the program capacity in the space and/or the actual programming capacity for that particular day cannot be adjusted.

Our planetarium fees are $3.00/per person, I'm pretty sure with no admission fee, we have to be the most budget friendly planetarium in the world.

I'm considering proposing to the director for next school year we remove the 6/1 free ratio and implement a $1.00/chaperone for all fee based programs.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Thank you all for your examples and fee models! This is extremely helpful and I appreciate the thoughtfulness and thorough responses from everyone! These will be very helpful in looking at ours and how to accommodate everyone's needs. 

Museum community is the best!

Megan

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2018 03:28 PM
From: Megan Osetek
Subject: Chaperone admission fees

Hello museum community!

I am interested to gain perspective and suggestions from institutions who conduct fee based programs for schools, camps, clubs, etc.. field trips beyond general admission fees and the fee structure or policies for charging chaperones who attend the program with students.

At KVM, (public local history and science museum, general admission is free), we've had a long standing fee structure basically outlines 6 students earns you 1 free adult to fee based programs, such as our planetarium. This field trip season we've been struggling more and more with over abundance of chaperones attending programs. Don't get me wrong, more chaperones spending time with their students is AWESOME, where the issue lies with a few things;

a. school educators then have to decide which chaperones attend free, not fair for anyone
b. confusing to front desk staff conducting transactions via point of sale, which can put the burden who attends free on museum staff
c. more chaperones in limited seating program spaces can cause all kinds of ramifications pending on the days schedule. Chaperones expect to attend a program, but then can't do to the program capacity in the space and/or the actual programming capacity for that particular day cannot be adjusted.

Our planetarium fees are $3.00/per person, I'm pretty sure with no admission fee, we have to be the most budget friendly planetarium in the world.

I'm considering proposing to the director for next school year we remove the 6/1 free ratio and implement a $1.00/chaperone for all fee based programs.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

------------------------------
Megan Osetek
Coordinator of Interpretation
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------