School Field Trips

Chaperone Policy

• Strict 1:10 ratio – To ensure student safety and effective supervision, one (1) free adult chaperone is required for every ten (10) students.
• Any chaperones not included in the group reservation must either pay regular general admission rates at the front desk or pre-purchase tickets in advance online.
• Any required 1:1 paraprofessionals receive free admission

Teacher-Chaperone Responsibilities

Thank you for making this field trip a success. Please review the following guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

• Supervision: Stay organized, keep students within sight, count students when entering and exiting exhibit areas, adhere to the buddy system, and remember chaperones are responsible for their students at all times. Keep emergency contact information for each student.
• Schedule: Ensure that your group is punctual for lunch, activities (when applicable), and departure.
• Engagement: Encourage active participation and questions to enhance learning
• Behavior: Manage student behavior as you are responsible while they are in your care. Ensure no running, no food or drinks are on the exhibit floor, and maintain respect for exhibits, staff, and other visitors.

Lunch Options

We offer a 25-minute reservation in our seating area for your group to enjoy one of these lunch options. There is a $25 reservation fee per classroom.

Bring your own lunch

• Bring your own packed lunches, which we’ll store for you until your scheduled lunch period. All lunches must be in a disposable bag/container and either disposed of after your lunch period or carried with you for the remainder of your trip.

Box Lunches

We offer delicious and convenient individual boxed lunches and group pizza lunches for groups visiting Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion.

• Individual Boxed Lunches: $15/meal
  • Select from Roasted Turkey Sandwich on White; Roasted Turkey Sandwich on Wheat; Country Ham Sandwich on White; Country Ham Sandwich on Wheat; Veggie Wheat Wrap
  • Includes an apple, Lays potato chips, chocolate chip cookie, and choice of one (1) bottled water or one (1) juice box
• Group Pizza Lunches: $15/pie (8 slices)
  • Plain Cheese Pizza; Beef Pepperoni Pizza
  • $1/bottled water; $1.25 juice box
• If you select box lunches during your booking request, an order form including a full menu and ingredients list will be sent to you by our reservations staff.

Allergy Issues: While the Science Center is not an allergy-free space, we will make every effort to accommodate your special need if you notify us in advance.

Gift Shop

• If you would like to visit the gift shop, please let our staff know at the time of setting up your reservation.
• Your group may visit the gift shop on your own during your scheduled trip time while on the exhibit floor.
• All store purchases must be carried with you for the remainder of your trip.

Parking

By Bus:

• There is NO drop-off on Hamilton Street.
• Buses must use the Groups & Reserved Programs Entrance located on West Court Street, between 8th & 9th Streets for drop-off and pick-up. This is a one-way street.
• The bus lane is for drop off and pick up only. There is no on-site bus parking available at the Science Center.
• Buses may return 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure time for pick up at the same location.

By Car:

• There are several public parking garages within 2-3 blocks of the science center, including the following:
  • The Spiral Deck (645 spaces) is located directly behind the science center at 836 Linden St. The walk from there to our main entrance is one block.
  • The Maple Street Parking Deck (1,100 spaces) is located at 920 West Maple St. and offers a 2 to 3 block walk to our main entrance. Click here for a look at all the parking in the area.
• If your entire group is arriving by individual cars, enter through the main entrance of the Science Center (on Hamilton St.) and gather with your group leader to check-in.
• If only a few chaperones are arriving by individual cars (and the rest of the group is arriving by bus), enter through the main entrance to purchase tickets and/or wait for group arrival.
• Group leaders should have contact information (i.e. cell phone numbers) for adult chaperones to notify them when they arrive and where to meet them on the exhibit floor after checking in.

Rescheduling and Cancellation

Please call us immediately if you need to reschedule or cancel your group visit.

Rescheduling Information:

• 15+ days prior: we offer one (1) free date change. Additional changes may result in a $25 processing fee.
• 0-14 Days Prior: A $25 processing fee may be applied.

Cancellation Information:

• 15+ days prior: Full refund, minus $100 non-refundable deposit.
• 0-14 days prior: No refund, or reschedule to a new trip date within one (1) year.

Inclement Weather:

• Our Reservations staff will keep an eye on the weather weekly during months with inclement weather.
• Groups will be notified via email 1-2 days prior to the trip date, in the event of potential inclement weather for your scheduled trip date with instructions to follow.
• If your group gets notice of a delayed opening or closure that would prevent your group from attending your scheduled trip date due to inclement weather, please contact groups@davincisciencecenter.org as soon as possible so we can notify our staff. We will then look to reschedule you to a new date, at no additional cost. If rescheduling is not possible, we will issue a full refund.

Changes in Group Size

• If your group size changes after you make your reservation, please notify us as soon as possible, but no later than 5 p.m. two (2) weeks prior to the trip date.
• Any additions to your group size are subject to availability and are not guaranteed access to programs.
• Any additions to your group size after final payment is due are required to be paid via credit card over the phone in advance of your trip date.
• No refunds will be given for lower attendance adjustments or unused group tickets within two (2) weeks of your trip date.
• You must have or pay for a minimum of 15 paid tickets to constitute a reserved group visit.

Payment Policy

• A $100 non-refundable deposit is required upon confirmation of your reservation.
• The deposit must be received within 30 days of receipt but no later than three (3) weeks prior to the trip date.
• Purchase orders are accepted in advance only and will not be accepted on the day of your visit.
• Final payment is required no later than two (2) weeks prior to the trip date. Payments will no longer be accepted the day of the trip.
• Group participants may not pay separately. Payments must be made on behalf of the group by a representative of the organization.
• In an effort to move paperless, a $25 payment processing fee is automatically added to all reservations. The payment processing fee will act as a late payment processing fee for any final payments made after their 2-week deadline. Groups that pay their deposit and final payment in advance and by their respective deadlines via credit card or electronic check will have their reservation(s) adjusted to remove the $25 payment processing fee.

Scheduling

• We do require at least two (2) weeks notice, paid in full, to book a reserved group visit.

Accessibility

• Please let us know if your group has any special needs when you make your reservation and we will make every effort to accommodate you.

Membership Policy

• Da Vinci Science Center memberships are not valid for free group admission. Children and adults must pay the group rate.