ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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I think this has a great deal of impact on smaller museums and science centers.  A larger museum can absorb the extra bodies.  Some museums are now scheduling "tour free" days so that their members can have a day without it being jam-packed.  And many, or even most, museums have long since dropped the open door "run and scream" field trips for only themed and staff guided visits.  Having another 30, 60, 90 kids and chaperons in the gallery really denigrates the experience and should be avoided. 

Twice during my years managing exhibit departments I experienced having too many groups in the museum at one time.  Both were bad experiences, for the groups and the staff.  I can't even imagine what the regular visitors and members thought was going on.  

I think you need to consider the quality of the experience for everyone and manage time with that in mind.  If that means more staff then charge for the time.  If it is about limited space then put a cap on the visit and move them along.  As others have suggested it is often controlled by the bus schedules they must follow.   

Erich

Erich Rose Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/erichrose/




On Jan 29, 2013, at 7:39 PM, Fournier, Kathy wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> I have not heard of setting a time limit on field trips and wonder if you can share the advantages of that. We simply know when they are to arrive, when their reserved programs are, if they have an IMAX time and schedule them time in our lunch rooms. Other than that it is up to each individual group to decide when they need to leave to get back to their schools. Of course most leave by 1 or 2 but some can stay later. 
> 
> Thanks, Kathy
> ________________________________________
> From: Informal Science Education Network [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Chris Harris [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 11:05 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Field trip time frame?
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Hi Laurie,
> 
> Great question.  Science Central also offers a standard 2 hour field trip
> and we have a system that serves us quite well.  At the time of
> registration, we ask if the school expects to stay later.  If they do, we
> charge a $1/student fee for "Unlimited" additional time.  That means, the
> school can stay as long as they want (usually >1 hour)  while offsetting
> the cost for additional floor staff.  Once in a great while, we'll have a
> group stay longer than 1 hour.  We do ask for an estimated exit time to
> help us with staff scheduling.  Occasionally, if we find a school still in
> the building after their standard 2 hour exit time, we remind them that
> they didn't pay to stay late.  However, after multiple years of using this
> system, our schools have been well trained.
> 
> Please let me know if you have any questions.
> 
> Chris Harris
> Science Central
> Visitor Services &
> Volunteer Director
> 1950 N. Clinton St.
> Fort Wayne, IN  46805
> (260) 424-2400 ex. 411
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> **************
> Volunteer Today!
> **************
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of laurie duncan
> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 11:36 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Field trip time frame?
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
> **************************************************************************
> ***
> 
> We currently schedule field trip groups for 2 hours in the museum.
> Frequently, however, we have groups tell us upon arrival that they are
> leaving later than scheduled-sometimes up to a full hour (or even 2 hours)
> beyond their time slot.  Any tips/advice for this scenario?  We frequently
> find that groups that stay longer than the 2 hours end up causing damage
> to exhibits, chaperones stop facilitating due to weariness....any
> policies/ideas/formats that seem to be working elsewhere would be
> appreciated!
> 
> 
> Laurie Duncan
> Education Director
> Discovery Center of Springfield
> 438 E. St. Louis St., Springfield, MO  65806
> 417-862-9910x701
> fax-417-862-6898
> Visit us on the web at
> www.discoverycenter.org<Visit%20us%20on%20the%20web%20at%20www.discoveryce
> nter.org>
> 
> "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
> William Butler Yeats
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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