Bring classroom experiences to life with a group visit to The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and Learning Center. By exploring two floors of hands-on, interactive exhibits, students and teachers, alike, will engage in South Florida’s rich, cultural history.
Steps to group visit planning:
2. Have contact information available to provide to the visit planner (Group/Organization name, grade/age of students, point contact person, address, phone number, fax number and email address)
3. Estimate the number of students and chaperones who will attend
5. Call the education department at (561) 742-6782 to book your visit.
Price Information:
Students:
- $3.00 per student
- Minimum 10 students
- Maximum 60 students
- $5.00 per adult
- One chaperone is recommended for every 6 students.
A $25 non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking to reserve the date.
Payment in full must be made on the day of your visit after a final count of students and chaperones is determined.
Group Visit structure
The Discovery Visit
Students are welcomed by the Schoolhouse guide and lead to the Schoolhouse Theater where they will hear a brief history of the Schoolhouse and watch an upbeat, kid-friendly 10-minute video about the area’s local history on a 47” flat-screen Plasma TV. After a few brief questions, the guide leads the children to the first floor of exhibits where they are free to play, interact and explore. For example, in the Family Farms exhibit area they can milk a life-sized cow to produce dairy and peddle a child-sized tractor to sort peppers, both to emulate the early Florida farming industry.
After an appropriate amount of time, visitors will be lead to the second floor where they will continue to play and interact with the exhibits. For example, they can dress in a white coat, take X-Rays and care for newborns to better experience one of the area’s first doctor’s offices.
The visit ends with a chance to browse the Schoolhouse Gift Shop and a historic message from the animatronic Jupiter Lighthouse Keeper replica.
The Scavenger Hunt Visit
Like the Discovery visit, visitors are welcomed by the Schoolhouse guide and told a brief history of the Schoolhouse. They are then lead to the Schoolhouse Theater where they watch an upbeat, kid-friendly 10-minute video about the area’s local history on a 47” flat-screen Plasma TV. Then, they are given a Scavenger Hunt pamphlet featuring 40 fun and engaging questions and a souvenir Schoolhouse pencil. Note: Students are encouraged to work in pairs.
Students are then lead to the first floor of exhibits where they will hunt through the exhibits and carefully read the accompanying signage to find the Scavenger Hunt answers. After an appropriate amount of time, visitors will be lead to the second floor where they will continue to interact with the exhibits and uncover more answers.
At the end of the allotted visit time, students who have found all of the answers will receive a small prize from the Schoolhouse Front Desk. This visit also ends with a chance to browse the Schoolhouse Gift Shop and a historic message from the animatronic Jupiter Lighthouse Keeper replica.
The Personalized visit
Let us know in advance and we would be happy to incorporate a special activity into your visit to coordinate with any relevant classroom lessons or themes! Additional fees may apply.
Q: On what days can my group visit the Schoolhouse?
A: Group visits time is allotted from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday that does not fall on a major holiday.
Q: What if my group is not associated with a school?
A: The Schoolhouse gladly invites community groups such as, mom’s clubs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, church groups, homeschool groups, etc. to schedule a group visit. Please schedule your visit using the same “Plan your Visit” procedure listed above.
Q: Where should buses and/or cars park?
Arrival Cars may unload in front of the Museum and then park on the street, in the lot just east of the Museum or across the street next to the Civic Center. Buses may unload in the semi-circular driveway in front of the Schoolhouse and park there for the duration of the visit.
Q: Where do we go once we arrive?
The group leader should enter the Schoolhouse through the main entrance and proceed to the Front Desk to pay the final admission fee after the final count of children and adults has been determined. All other students and chaperones should proceed to the eastside door of the Schoolhouse. Your group will be met by a Schoolhouse staff member who will be your guide.
Q: May we shop in the Gift Shop?
Absolutely! The Schoolhouse Gift Shop offers books, toys, games and light snacks in all price range for children of all ages. Let us know and we will set aside time to browse the Gift Shop at the end of your visit.
Q: May we eat lunch during our visit?
Although eating is not permitted in the Schoolhouse, the park facilities next to the Kid’s Kingdom playground make a great picnic lunch spot. There are two tables and an amphitheater for seating. There are drinking fountains and outdoor restrooms. The Museum will gladly store your lunches during your visit.
Q: May we play on the Kids Kingdom playground?
We recommend scheduling some time for the children to play in the playground while you are here. It is not part of the Schoolhouse tour, but makes a great addition to the experience. Playground is open from dawn to dusk and is free and open to the public.
