School Field Trips
School Field Trip Programs at Port Discovery
Explor-A-Tours!
There’s so much in store with a Port Discovery Explor-A-Tour! Take your students on a journey of discovery sure to spark their curiosity and creativity. Discovery Experiences within your themed Explor-A-Tour include hands-on activities and games that complement the museum exploration experience, and best of all, our age-appropriate (preK-5th) programs are designed to align with Maryland State standards and curricula!
- Available Wednesdays through Fridays 10am-1pm for groups of up to 150 children.
Open Exploration Visits!
Come explore Port Discovery’s three floors of fun at your own pace with an Open Exploration visit! Open Exploration visits are ideal for groups of 100+ children. Upon your arrival you and your group will be greeted by the Port Discovery Groups Team, provided a brief orientation, maps of the museum, and cart for your group’s belongings. You will then embark on a self-guided experience where you and your students will play your way through our hands-on and engaging exhibit areas. Time for lunch will also be included in your visit schedule.
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Available on Tuesdays and select Mondays from 10am-1pm for up to 350 children.
SUBMIT A REQUEST
Contact Us
Fill out the information request form to receive more information and to begin the process of scheduling your school group visit! Organizations are encouraged to book their trip to Port Discovery at least four weeks in advance. Please call to inquire about any potential last-minute dates that may be available.
Group bookings are only available for groups with 15 or more children. Any less than 15 children is considered general admission. General admission tickets can be purchased here.
Reservations are required. Fill out the information request form or contact us for more information at 410.864.2727 or groupsales@portdiscovery.org.
PRICES & INFORMATION
In-Person Field Trips
General Admission tickets are $24.95 per person, but group visits are eligible for these special discounted rates.
1 adult chaperone for every 6 children is FREE. Please note, teachers are counted as chaperones.
Tier 1 | Maryland Public Title 1 Schools
Maryland Public Title 1 Schools are eligible to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $10 per child. Additional grant funding made possible by the Maryland State Department of Education may be available. Please indicate interest on your inquiry form to see if additional grant funds are available for your school.
- Please note, these tickets must be reserved a minimum of 4 weeks in advance of your visit date.
Tier 2 | Maryland Non-Title 1 Schools
Maryland Non-Title 1 schools are eligible to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $15 per child.
- Please note, these tickets must be reserved a minimum of 4 weeks in advance of your visit date.
Tier 3 | Non-Maryland Schools
Non-Maryland schools and schools looking to book less than 4 weeks in advance of your visit date are eligible to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $18 per child.
Payments
- A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the visit total is due at the time of booking.
- The balance is due no later than 2 weeks prior to your visit date.
- Acceptable forms of payment are credit/debit cards, organizational (not personal) checks, school district purchase orders, and cash.
- Failure to make payments may result in visit cancellation.
Rescheduling & Cancellation Policy
- Rescheduling: Requests for rescheduling are not guaranteed and are subject to availability. Reschedule may incur additional fees.
- Cancellation: Cancellation will result in a forfeiture of deposit and may incur additional fees.
Accessibility & Inclusion
Port Discovery is committed to welcoming all guests to experience Port Discovery and provides a variety of accommodations for visitors with disabilities! Port Discovery is Kulture City certified and we are happy to arrange additional accommodations for visitors. To discuss and arrange accommodations, please contact us at 410-864-2727 or email groupsales@portdiscovery.org. Port Discovery is ADA accessible.
FIELD TRIP FAQS
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Are reservations for School Field Trips, Summer Camp Visits, and/or Group Visits required?
Yes, reservations are required for all group visits. Important: Groups of 15 children or more must reserve in advance. Groups without a reservation may be turned away at Box Office. Due to capacity restrictions, bulk general admission ticket purchases are not allowed.
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What if my group arrives later than the original visit start or needs to leave early?
Groups are free to arrive late or leave early within their scheduled visit window. Please be aware that a shortened visit may affect your time spent in exhibits and tour schedule. Please let our team know as soon as possible if you visit needs to be shortened so our staff can prepare to maximize your visit. Unfortunately, we cannot extend visits past the scheduled end time for late arrivals. All groups are expected to leave at the departure time listed in their contract.
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What is your attendance policy for School Field Trips, Summer Camp Visits, and Group Visits?
Refunds are not granted for any decrease in attendance. Only the attendance outlined in your contract is guaranteed museum entry. Additional people will not be allowed on the day of your visit. Please contact Group Sales as soon as your attendance increases to determine if the museum has available space to accommodate changes. Attendance substitutions are also prohibited.
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What is your policy regarding chaperones for School Field Trips, Summer Camp Visits, and Group Visits?
All chaperones must be 18 years of age or older and meet the required adult to child ratio. Additional chaperones outside of the required ratio incur additional fees. Inattentive chaperones and/or disorderly behavior from the group or staff could result in the group’s immediate dismissal from the museum. Chaperones are not permitted to leave the museum during field trips.
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Are lunches allowed for School Field Trips and Group Visits?
Lunch is included in the 3-hour visit schedule for Field Trips. Space will be provided for groups having lunch in Port Discovery, but due to limited lunch space large groups may be broken up into small groups for lunches. Groups expecting to have lunch while at Port Discovery should bring their own packed lunches. Food and drinks are only allowed inside designated lunch areas. To opt-out of lunch with your visit, please let our Sales Team know in advance during the booking process. Leaving during the lunch break and food deliveries are strongly discouraged.
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What is your inclement weather policy for School Field Trips, Summer Camp Visits, and Group Visits?
If Port Discovery Children’s Museum or your organization is closed or operating on a late schedule, please contact Group Sales immediately to reschedule to the next available date to avoid forfeiture of funds.
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Are my membership benefits applicable for School Field Trips?
Memberships cannot be applied to School Field Trip tickets for either adults or children. Additional chaperones tickets may not be purchased with memberships.
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What is the Museum’s Photo & Video Policy?
Museum staff occasionally take photos and videos at Port Discovery Children’s Museum. Entrance to the premises of Port Discovery Children’s Museum constitutes your acknowledgment and agreement that you may be photographed, filmed, videotaped or otherwise recorded by Museum staff or contractors in connection with the activities taking place on the premises. All recordings are the sole property of Port Discovery Children’s Museum. Please read our full Photo & Video Policy for visitors, members, participants in birthday parties, scout adventures, field trips, group visits, and other Museum activities.
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I am not a registered chaperone for my child’s field trip, can I still purchase my own ticket separate from the school group?
All chaperones must be cleared by the school system. Admission for single adults or multiple adults without children is not permitted because chaperones must be verified by the school.
Port Discovery Children’s Museum student visits, exhibits, and programs are supported in part by the following partners.
