Field Trip Policies

For a safe and enjoyable field trip, please follow the following policies during your visit to Fernbank. We reserve the right to ask any disorderly guest to leave the campus or leave virtual programming Under those circumstances, refunds will not be given.

COVID-19 Plan

Due to social distancing requirements and to keep all guests safe, groups planning an on-site field trip will be required to submit a COVID-19 plan, including details on physical distancing, health monitoring, chaperones and transportation. Students and chaperones must wear face covering practice social distancing.

Learn more about what we're doing to keep guests safe.

Deposits, Cancellations and Refunds

• A 50% deposit is required four weeks prior to the day of your field trip or virtual program. Your deposit is fully refundable if the trip or virtual program is canceled at least two weeks in advance. Trips and virtual programs canceled less than 2 weeks from the reservation date are subject to forfeiture of deposit.
• Your deposit will be applied to your total balance, and the remaining balance will be due 48 hours prior to your field trip or virtual program.
• If scheduling within four weeks of your trip or virtual program the deposit is due at the time of booking. 
• Any changes to the final number of tickets on the reservation, must be made no later than two days before your scheduled field trip. Reservations cannot be changed at check-in.
• Overpayment made by check will be returned to the school by mail within 4 to 6 weeks. Payments made by credit card will be refunded directly to the card used for initial payment and will post within 3 to 5 business days.
• No refunds will be granted if you miss any or all your scheduled field trip or virtual program.
• Final receipt will be emailed to the field trip coordinator following the visit or virtual program.

Late Arrivals

• Groups must arrive to the museum at least 30 minutes prior to any scheduled activities to allow adequate time for check-in and wristband distribution.
• Virtual Program participants must be logged into Zoom 5 minutes prior to the start of your program.
• Giant screen movies and educator-led programs will begin at the published start time.

Field Trip Entry and Wristbands

• The field trip group leader should use the main lobby entrance to check-in at the Box Office. The rest of the group will need to wait outside in the museum’s Dinosaur Plaza until the group leader returns.
• In lieu of tickets, field trip groups are provided with color-coded wristbands. The field trip group leader is responsible for verifying correct number of wristbands at check-in
• All students and chaperones in a field trip group are required to wear wristbands for the duration of their visit. Wristbands must be presented for entrance into the museum and/or Giant Screen Theater. If your group needs to leave the museum for any reason (pick up something off the bus, etc.), wristbands will allow re-entry into the museum.
• Wristbands are valid same-day only and are not replaceable if lost or stolen.

Chaperones

• A minimum of one adult chaperone for every 10 students is required for all field trips.
• Chaperones are always required to stay with students, regardless of age/grade. Students found without the supervision of a chaperone will not be allowed to enter exhibits, programs, and or/the theater.

Behavior

• Chaperones are responsible for the behavior of their students at all times during the visit. Please remind students to refrain from running or yelling, and to respect the “no touching” policies in place within exhibits and museum areas as noted.
• Students and chaperones that are not wearing a face cover or practicing physical distancing will be asked to leave.
• Students should use considerate “museum voices” both inside the museum and on the museum campus to allow for enjoyable experiences of others.
• Use of skateboards, roller-skates, and Heelys® are strictly prohibited while in the museum and on the museum campus.
• Please use the elevator only in cases of physical need, so guests who require the assistance of the elevator may use it in a timely manner.
• Fernbank is a nicotine-free campus. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not allowed on or around the museum campus and parking lots.
• Fernbank reserves the right to ask any disorderly members of your group to leave the building. Under this circumstance, a refund will not be granted.

Exhibit Access

Some exhibits are limited by space and grade level:

• Fernbank NatureQuest is available to chaperoned students in pre-K-4^th grade. Please note, due to the high-touch components in this exhibit, NatureQuest is currently closed
• Nature Stories located in WildWoods is available to chaperoned students in pre-K-3^rdgrade
• Adventure Outpost located in WildWoods is for 4-6^th grade.
• Access to all exhibits on a space available, first-come, first-served basis. Capacity may be reduced due to COVID 19 guidelines

Outdoor Guidelines

• The natural world is home to stinging insects, poison ivy and snakes. Please be mindful and stay on the trails to protect yourself and sensitive habitats. Students and guests are not permitted to wade or swim in creeks, ponds or other water features.
• Students should not collect, remove or handle natural items and living things
• Visitors must wear face coverings and practice physical distancing.

Photography

• Fernbank and the media frequently take photos and/or videos of guests. These images may be used for promotional purposes whatsoever in perpetuity and without compensation. If you do not wish to be photographed, please notify the photographer.
• Personal photography and limited personal filming (using iPhone or equivalent) is permitted with paid museum admission, except in the Giant Screen Theater or in certain exhibits designated as no-photography areas.

Make a reservation online or contact the Field Trip Team at 404.929.6320 or FieldTrips@FernbankMuseum.org.