Planning Your Field Trip
Welcome and thank you for choosing the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for your school field trip. Planning a field trip to the Notebaert Nature Museum is now easier than ever.
Public, Private, and Home Schools: For fast submission use our easy online registration form or download a registration form. Allow 2 weeks for processing -- 2-3 weeks for fall/spring peak times.
Before filling out a request form, please take a moment to read through our registration policies below.
For groups other than accredited schools, please click here.
Selecting a Date
Book your workshop or lab for July, August, September, January, February, March and save $25 off the regular price.
Please make your reservations at least four weeks in advance. (We recommend six- to eight-week advance registration.)
- Please check your school calendar before making a reservation to avoid testing dates, picture days, school holidays and events, etc.
- Spring is one of our busiest times. Reservations for spring field trips should be made four to six months in advance.
- Have two alternate dates as a back up in case your first choice is not available. Field trips are scheduled in the order in which they are received.
Important Registration Information
Your reservation is not complete until you receive a copy of your confirmation form with the confirmed date and time of you field trip. Allow two weeks for processing. Registration forms are processed in the order they are received and according to availability of date, entrance, and workshop times. Lunch times will be provided on your itinerary the day of your field trip. Payment can be made via school/personal check, money order, or credit card.
Full payment for workshops/labs is due 30 days in advance of your visit unless you have made special arrangements. Your workshop/lab reservation will be cancelled if full payment is not made 30 days in advance of your visit. If your workshop/lab is scheduled less than 30 days in advance, full payment for the workshop will be required for your reservation.
Cancellation Policy: All cancellations are subject to processing fees. All cancellations must be in writing: phone cancellations will not be accepted. To cancel your trip, please e-mail the Museum at cancel@naturemsueum.org or fax your cancellation on school letterhead to 773-549-0607. Groups that do not cancel before the two-week deadline or do not show up on the date of their visit will not be refunded.
Chaperone Policy
Adult Chaperones:
- All school groups with children grades PreK through 3rd grade must have at least one responsible adult chaperone for every five students in attendance.
- For grades four to six, junior high, and high school, one responsible adult chaperone must accompany every ten students in attendance.
- Every adult over the recommended number to accompany a group will be charged the Museum admission fee.
Lunch Policy
Reserving space
Please be sure to request a lunch reservation when scheduling your field trip if you anticipate needing the Museum lunchroom. Lunch reservations are scheduled on the half hour between 10:30am and 12:30pm and according to availability. Please make certain your group is on time and only remains in the lunch area for the allotted 20-minute time block so we may clean the tables for the next group. Please note any food allergies on your registration form in the space provided.
Brown bag lunches
Your school name and assigned group letter should be written on each lunch. Please put all bag lunches in one box before arriving at the Museum. Be sure to include the group name and chaperone’s name on the outside of the box. Lunches will be delivered to the designated lunch area at your assigned time.
How do I know my lunchtimes?
Lunchtimes are assigned on a first-come first-served basis. Assigned lunch times will be on your individual group itinerary given to you by a Visitor Service representative on the day of your arrival. Please do not call ahead for times. Seating must be reserved at the time of reservation.
The Museum reserves the right to cancel or change group lunch reservations.
Fees
Fees for Illinois School Groups
Illinois students and their adult chaperones on a registered field trip are free every day. Workshops, Labs, or Exhibit classes require a fee. Some classes may have additional materials fee.
Fees for Out of State School Groups
Out-of-state students on a field trip have a $4.00 entrance fee. Workshops, Labs, or Exhibit classes require an additional fee. Some classes may have an additional materials fee.
Teachers Visit for Free!
All teachers enjoy free admission to the Museum year-round. Just bring your valid teacher identification card. We encourage you to visit the Museum before your scheduled field trip!
