PLAN A FIELD TRIP
We are here to help you make your field trip successful.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum proudly presents fun-filled, content rich experiences for students from grades 3 to 12. Our field trips are all aligned with National Learning Standards.
FIELD TRIP ACTIVITY OPTIONS
LESSON CONDUCTED BY A MUSEUM TEACHER
(30 Minutes) In small groups, students will work with Museum Teachers to learn about a topic of your choice. Please state your choice of lesson topic(s) when you register. For questions, please email our education department. Average time: 30 minutes.
GUIDED MUSEUM TOUR
A Museum Teacher will guide small groups of students through the Hall of Fame and Museum. Average Time: 1 hour and 15 Minutes.
VISIT THE INTERACTIVE LEARNING CENTER
The Learning Center offers students the chance to handle and try on replica uniforms and equipment from different periods of baseball history, while learning about the role these objects have played in the development of the game. Average time: 15 minutes
LIBRARY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
This program allows K-12 students and teachers the opportunity to utilize the resources of the Giamatti Research Center during their visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Program options include a meet-and- greet with a member of the Hall of Fame's research team, an introduction to archival and primary research, and time for students to research a topic selected by their teacher. Average time: 60-90 minutes.
VISITING OUR MUSEUM STORE
As souvenirs can be a distraction, we generally request that students wait until the end of their visit to shop. However, for groups of more than 50, we build 15 minutes into the itinerary. If your students will be souvenir shopping, they must be closely chaperoned at all times.
SPANISH-LANGUAGE FIELD TRIPS
We are able to offer special lessons and tours in Spanish depending on the availability of our bilingual Museum Teachers. Please email us to discuss this option for your field trip.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR FIELD TRIP
HOW MANY STUDENTS WILL YOU BE BRINGING?
Our field trips require a minimum of 15 students per reservation. Each learning module is limited to 15 students. Large groups who would like a fully guided experience may elect to come over the course of multiple days.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE TO SPEND AT THE HALL OF FAME?
A field trip can be customized to fit your needs. On average, schools will spend 2 ½ hours at the Museum from arrival to departure. If you have a very limited amount of time (less than an hour and a half), please let our education team know.
WHAT TIME OF YEAR DO YOU WANT TO VISIT?
Field trip spots for May and June usually book far in advance, so please plan ahead. September to April are ideal times to visit as the Museum is not as busy.
DO YOUR STUDENTS HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS?
If your students have special needs, please give us a call to discuss which of our field trip options will best suit your students.
HOW CAN YOU INCORPORATE YOUR HALL OF FAME FIELD TRIP INTO YOUR CLASSROOM CURRICULUM?
Pre and post-visit lesson plans are available to enhance your field trip experience. You can download these lessons free of charge at our website.
All educational programs at the Baseball Hall of Fame support National Learning Standards.
ARE THEIR OPTIONS FOR LUNCH?
The Hall of Fame does not have space for students to eat lunch within the building. Please contact the education department to discuss outdoor picnicking areas available in the Village of Cooperstown. Lunches should be kept on the bus; we do not have a secure storage area for lunches in the museum.
WHAT ABOUT CHAPERONES?
Chaperones play an essential role in creating a positive experience for students and for other Hall of Fame visitors. As a chaperone, your supervision is required to monitor and maintain the good behavior and safety of the students. While at the museum, stay with the group of students you have been assigned to monitor at all times (even if the students are high-school aged). Chaperones will be responsible for student management and discipline, as well as enforcing museum etiquette. Remind students to be considerate of other Hall of Fame visitors.
ARE THERE RULES I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
We ask that your student practice good museum etiquette. Please review the following information with students and chaperones both before, and on the day of your field trip. Use indoor voices. Walk at all times while in the museum. When moving up or down stairs, stay to the right side to allow others to pass. No drinks, candy, food, or gum are allowed inside the Museum. Use only pencils to take notes. Do not lean on or against any exhibit cases. Backpacks and large bags are not allowed in the galleries. Please leave these items on the bus. (Exceptions are made for bags containing medication.) Cell phones and other electronic devices should be silenced. Photos are encouraged.
ADDITIONAL INFO TO MAKE YOUR VISIT A SUCCESS
PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST FOR TEACHERS
As you prepare for your field trip, use this handy checklist to help keep you organized. Provide students with copies of the “Pre-Departure Checklist for Students”.
THINGS TO DO
- Double-check your field trip start time indicated on your confirmation email.
- Check in with the bus company to verify departure time.
- Plan your route to Cooperstown.
- Bring parking directions for your bus driver.
- Please plan to arrive a little early if possible (10-15 min.)
THINGS TO BRING
- Name tags – All members of your group should wear name tags listing their name and the name of your group/school. Roster sheets for small groups. Please have these on hand, to remind everyone what group they are in, and what lessone they are participating in.
- School check, purchase order, or credit card for payment.
- File with emergency numbers and student health information.
- Student medical supplies.
THE DAY OF YOUR FIELD TRIP – ON THE BUS
PREPARE THE STUDENTS
Review the field trip itinerary with students. Let them know the time they will be eating lunch and whether or not they will be visiting the Museum Store. Consider allowing students to have a snack on the bus before the field trip begins. Food, candy, drinks, and gum are NOT allowed inside the Museum. Backpacks and large bags are not allowed, please leave these items on the bus. (Exceptions are made for bags containing medication.) Use quiet voices in the museum - remember there are other visitors at the Hall of Fame. Cameras are allowed inside the Museum.
PREPARE CHAPERONES
Make sure that all chaperones have reviewed the Chaperone Guidelines and are aware of the group of students for whom they are responsible. Ensure that all chaperones have copies of the field trip itinerary.
LATE ARRIVAL POLICY
Groups must arrive on time. If you are running late or must cancel, please call the Education Department at 607-547-0329 to alert museum staff. Late arrivals will result in shortened or re-structured programs.
THE DAY OF YOUR FIELD TRIP – DROP-OFF AND BUS PARKING
Buses may stop to un-load at the marked Bus Stop area on Main Street just past the entrance to the Hall of Fame. Please Be Aware: Your bus cannot remain parked in the bus stop on Main Street. Drivers may return to the bus stop to pick up students - please make sure bus drivers know your departure time.
After dropping off, bus drivers may proceed to the following locations:
DOUBLEDAY FIELD PARKING LOT: This centrally-located parking lot is accessible from Chestnut Street (south of the Chamber of Commerce). Bus parking in this lot is very limited.
COOPERSTOWN TROLLEY LOTS: Blue Lot – Off Route 28, South of the Village Red Lot – Main Street & Railroad Avenue Yellow Lot – On Route 80, across the street from Fenimore Farm & Country Village. Your driver can ride the Trolley for free if they wish to return to the Hall of Fame and tour on their own during your field trip.
THE DAY OF YOUR FIELD TRIP – WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Please arrive with a final count of students, adult chaperones, and staff. A representative of the Education Department will meet and greet your group outside the front entrance of the museum. Your greeter will ask that you divide your students into the pre-determined small groups before entering the Hall of Fame. Each group will then be led into the museum. Restrooms are available throughout the building. If necessary, museum staff will direct you to a coat rack and place to store belongings. Please remember that we do not have a locked area available to hold lunches, bags, etc. Chaperones must remain with students for the duration of the field trip.
FREE EXPLORATION TIME
If students are to be given free time to explore the museum, they should be accompanied by chaperones. The Hall of Fame has a Discovery Tour scavenger hunt that can be picked up at the ticket booth. Students should continue to practice good museum etiquette during exploration time.
FEES AND PAYMENT POLICY
STUDENT FEES
The cost of a Hall of Fame field trip is $8.00 per student. A discounted rate of $7.00 per student is available if the teacher reserving the program has a current museum membership. To find out more about our membership program, call 607-547-0328.
REQUIRED ADULTS
1 chaperone is required per every 10 students. Teachers are counted in the chaperone-to-student ratio. Adults within the 1:10 ratio will be admitted free of charge. Personal aides for students with special needs will be admitted free, and will not count towards the 1:10 ratio.
ADDITIONAL ADULTS
Adults above and beyond the 1:10 ratio will be required to pay our group adult rate entry fee to the Hall of Fame.
FIELD TRIP PAYMENT
Payment for your field trip is required on the day of your visit (pre-payment is not accepted). Please plan to pay for your entire group (teachers, students, chaperones, bus drivers, etc.) with one payment. If parents are paying separately, please collect their money in advance. We accept cash, personal checks, school checks, purchase orders, and credit cards. You will be provided with a receipt for payment.
READY TO BOOK YOUR FIELD TRIP?
YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION FORM:
Three potential field trip dates
Arrival and departure times
Estimated number of students
Approximate number of adults attending as chaperones
Curriculum topic(s) you would like covered in your program
Any special needs that your group may have
Elements you would like included in your field trip
Once you have submitted your request, a representative of the Education Department will reach out to confirm the date and time of your field trip. Your visit is not guaranteed until you have received a confirmation letter from us.
EXPLORE OUR CURRICULUM
The Museum currently offers 15 baseball-themed curriculum components that provide interactive and meaningful learning engagement.
THE MUSEUM
Across our three floors of exhibit space, you will experience baseball history through artifacts on display, which showcase the important individual and team moments on the field as well as the game's monumental impact on our society.
PLAN A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP
The next best thing to visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum is participating in a Virtual Field Trip. The Museum's award-winning programs bring the wonders of Cooperstown to the classroom.
EXPLORE OUR CURRICULUM
The Museum currently offers 15 baseball-themed curriculum components that provide interactive and meaningful learning engagement.
THE MUSEUM
Across our three floors of exhibit space, you will experience baseball history through artifacts on display, which showcase the important individual and team moments on the field as well as the game's monumental impact on our society.
PLAN A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP
The next best thing to visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum is participating in a Virtual Field Trip. The Museum's award-winning programs bring the wonders of Cooperstown to the classroom.