ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Allison

After 15 years or trying various b-day party solutions we have recently 
decided to no longer host formal b-day parties. Some of the problems 
included the lack of information flow between the party parent and the guest 
children's parents (as to various conditions) and the overall lack of 
supervision of children when they were in exhibit areas. But other problems 
included fee models and payment methods.

Yes - there is a huge demand but it is not our core business. If parents 
want to bring food, provide the required levels of supervision and use our 
tables for an informal party that is fine - they pay normal entry and are 
expected to provide the required levels of supervision.

Probably not much help to you...

Glen


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Rosenblatt" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 1:15 AM
Subject: Re: birthday parties - policies and procedures


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related 
institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Allison,

Currently, we are in the process of contracting out our b-day parties.
We found they were the greatest struggle in all of our programming.  Of
course, we constantly get calls for them.

So, we have a 3rd party run the b-days, and we get all science center
ticket sales and 10% of the b-day fee.  Don't know if that helps, but
there it is.

--Jeff--

Jeff Rosenblatt
Director of Science City
Union Station
ph:  816-460-2218
email:  [log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Allison Wieland
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 6:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: birthday parties - policies and procedures

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****

We've evaluating our current program, which is supervised by our
volunteer
coordinator. The parties themselves are hosted by our teen volunteers
and
scheduled by our front desk staff. There is interest in simplifying the
method
by which we calculate party cost (currently a head count, as the package

includes up to 10 children) and exploring the best ways to prevent (ok,
minimize :) certain issues without going overboard requiring people to
sign
contracts, pay late fees, etc.

Some of our issues may stem from a lack of a defined procedure or the
shared
responsiblity our parties entail. Do other centers rely on volunteers as
party
hosts? It would be great to see the internal procedures (or perhaps a
outline
from arrival to departure) that others have in place for birthday
programs. Any
other resources out there for implementing a successsful birthday
program
would be greatly appreciated.

Allison Wieland
The Imaginarium
Anchorage, AK

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Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at 
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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