ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
I'm sorry I totally missed the conversation. I just wanted to add that
after the free chaperone in the 1:10 ratio, we charge the same price for
adults and children. For preschools, we extend our offer to enable
chaperones in a 1:5 ratio. We found that this is what is required by
most preschools. Preschools also do not have the kind of PTA/ PTO
support schools have to raise money for field trips. This helps deliver
a more engaging and safe experience for young children.
As a parent, I truly enjoy visiting places that charge a higher price
for my kids and less or nothing for me. Yeah, that's radical, the kind
of thing that makes finance people cringe.
But over the years, parents have often approached me with these
expressions:
Come on really, why charge higher rates for adults
(parents/chaperones) when you design your product for kids? Sure, we
interact with the kids, but not as much we like and not as much lugging
the stuff and keeping the schedule. Sometimes we feel like a parent,
sometimes we feel more like the family donkey. (BTW: I handed the
"family donkey" person 2 free passes, mostly for making me laugh. I told
them to get a sitter for the kids and come on a Friday night for a
different experience.)
Lynn Parrucci
Director of Educational Program
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-243-5243
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kim Collison
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 11:13 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: large groups with minimal chaperones
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****
Thanks to all who replied to our posting. FYI - all those that
responded
used a 10:1 student-to-chaperone ratio and allowed "required" chaperones
to
enter for free; some centers do impose sanctions ranging from extra fees
to
placement on a "probation list".
You've given us several solutions to consider -- thanks again!
Kimberly Collison
Health and Life Sciences Coordinator
Discovery Center of Springfield
438 E St Louis Street
Springfield MO 65806
417-862-9910 x709
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
visit us at: www.discoverycenter.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Collison [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 11:14 AM
To: 'Informal Science Education Network'
Subject: large groups with minimal chaperones
Good morning All -
Our Center is looking for some advice about student-to-chaperone ratios.
We
request fieldtrip groups to have a 5:1 ratio, unless the students are
over
age 16. We require the chaperones to pay the discounted group rate and
2
adults get free admission when the group is larger than 12. Although our
ratio expectation is clearly explained to the primary contact for the
fieldtrip, we often have groups arrive with far fewer chaperones than we
request.
Which brings me to yesterday... A group of 60 students (grades 6-8)
arrived
with their 2 classroom teachers and no other chaperones. We're curious
to
know how other centers deal with these surprise situations. Does anyone
"impose sanctions"?!
Thanks in advance for your responses!
Kimberly Collison
Health and Life Sciences Coordinator
Discovery Center of Springfield
438 E St Louis Street
Springfield MO 65806
417-862-9910 x709
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
visit us at: www.discoverycenter.org
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.2/472 - Release Date:
10/11/2006
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.4/478 - Release Date:
10/17/2006
***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
|