FIELD TRIPS

Where learning meets play - outside of the classroom!

Field trips at TCMU-Spartanburg offer a unique way for young learners to discover and learn. Explore the museum’s two floors of interactive exhibits, full of opportunity for hands-on play that reinforces early childhood milestones.

Field trips at TCMU-Spartanburg are for 3K-5K classrooms.

See what you will find at the museum with this tour from our very own Miss Frazzle. Wahooooo!

FIELD TRIPS INCLUDE

Reduced admission for two hour visit

Miss Frazzle welcome video and letter

Museum exhibit play

Opportunity to add 30-minute enrichment activity (additional fee applies)

FIELD TRIP OPTIONS

2 hours of unlimited museum play

$6/student

90 minutes of museum play with 30 minutes of classroom enrichment activity

Classroom options include a combination of steamWORKS Jr. and Story Time & More or Open Art and Story Time & More.

$7/student

Chaperones

Free

Enrichment Activities

$2-$4/student

Before you Book

All adults are free of charge. We encourage as many chaperones as possible!

Field trip groups must include 10 individuals or more to qualify for field trip pricing.

The ratio of students to adults REQUIRED is 7:1. For safety reasons, if this ratio is not met, your group will not be permitted entrance.

Field Trips are scheduled to accommodate a max capacity of 40 students in two-hour increments in order to ensure your group gets the best experience. Your group may be split into multiple time frames based on class size.

Discounted rate is based on 30-day advance booking. Please note that your payment is due at least 2 weeks in advance of your trip.

SCHOOL & DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS

The TCMU-Spartanburg School and District Membership programs are designed to provide every child in Pre-K through Kindergarten in your school or district with access to TCMU-Spartanburg during the school year.
School Membership Program

  • $8.00 student admission ($10 value per student) 
    • 90 minutes of exhibit play + one 30-minute museum lesson
      • Teachers may choose one STEAM lesson:
        • Science- Oh no! H2O!
        • Technology: Coding What Path Will You Take?
        • Engineering: Enchanted Engineering
        • Art: The Art of Emotions
        • Mathematics: Measurement How Does It Grow? 
        • Lesson plans are available.
      • Teachers may choose topic when booking field trip (2-week notice is required)
  • $5.00 student admission ($6 value per student)
    • 2 hours of exhibit play

District Membership Program

  • $8.00 student admission ($10 value per student) 
    • 90 minutes of exhibit play + one 30-minute museum lesson
      • Teachers may choose one STEAM lesson
              • Science- Oh no! H2O!
              • Technology: Coding What Path Will You Take?
              • Engineering: Enchanted Engineering
              • Art: The Art of Emotions
              • Mathematics: Measurement How Does It Grow? 
              • Lesson plans are available.
            • Teachers may choose topic when booking field trip (2-week notice is required
  • $5.00 student admission ($6 value per student)
    • 2 hours of exhibit play

For School and District Memberships for the 2023-2024 school year, please contact us at [email protected].

Educator Resources

Field Trip FAQs

What is the payment and cancellation policy?

  • Payments must be made no later than two weeks prior to your visit. Your field trip is subject to cancellation if payment is not received by this deadline.   
  • No refunds are given for students unable to attend.  
  • If school is canceled on the day of your visit, you may reschedule your visit within the same school year.  
  • Arriving late to your visit may result in your add-on program being shortened or canceled. Refunds will not be given to groups arriving late.

Is there a chaperone to student ratio?

One adult for every seven students is required. Adults include teachers, teacher’s aides, parents, caregivers, etc.

I'm an adult chaperone. What are my responsibilities?

  • Adults are responsible for the behavior of all students during school visits.   
  • Adults should encourage children to interact with the exhibits respectfully and responsibly. TCMU reserves the right to ask disorderly groups to leave the museum without refunds.   
  • Adults are encouraged to silence their cellphones or use them only when urgent.  
  • No food, drinks, candy, or gum are permitted in the museum besides in the Café.

What are the students' responsibilities?

  • Students must stay with an adult at all times.  

  • Students should practice respectful and responsible play.  

  • Students should be kind to the museum and others.   

  • Students should have on wristbands provided by TCMU staff at all times in the museum.  

  • No food, drinks, candy, or gum are permitted in the museum besides in our café area.

Where should our group park?

  • Buses should follow the instructions on the bus parking map to enter Magnolia Street correctly and drop off and pick up students in front of the museum. Buses should then follow instructions to park in the bus parking lot until the field trip is complete. 
  • Personal vehicles may park in the Magnolia Street parking garage across the street from the museum.

What should my group expect upon arrival?

  • Buses will drop off and pick up students in the bus lane in front of TCMU. 
  • Once parked, the booking teacher should check in at Admissions. 
  • Please arrive on time! Arriving late for your visit may result in your add-on program being shortened or canceled. Refunds will not be given to groups arriving late.  
  • Once the booking teacher has checked in, TCMU staff will greet your group on the bus to speak with chaperones and students about TCMU rules and expectations.

Can our group eat lunch at the museum?

  • TCMU-Spartanburg does not have a large enough space to accommodate on-site lunches. If your group is small, you are welcome to use the picnic tables in front of the museum, weather permitting.

Does TCMU provide scholarships for field trips?

  • Schools listed on the SC Dept of Education Poverty Index greater than 50% may be eligible to receive a need-based field trip while funds last. 
  • If you think your group may be eligible for a scholarship, please contact [email protected] prior to booking your trip.  
  • Please be prepared to provide the number of students in your group who receive free and/or reduced lunch.

Do TCMU memberships apply to field trips?

  • Memberships cannot be applied to student admission on field trips.  
  • Adults who have a membership at TCMU will be allowed into the museum without paying admission. 
  • Schools and districts can also apply for school or district memberships for reduced pricing.  Please contact Catie Davis at [email protected] for more information.

What are the safety measures at TCMU regarding COVID-19?

  • Face coverings are optional for museum entry. Per CDC guidelines, it is strongly recommended that guests wear masks when Covid-19 community levels are high regardless of vaccination status. Anyone with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask regardless of community levels.

Will my students be photographed?

  • It is possible! Museum staff are often on the floor taking photos and videos for marketing purposes. TCMU reserves the right to photograph or video visitors.  
  • If you have a student who cannot be photographed, please notify TCMU staff upon arrival.

Would you rather TCMU visit your classroom? Learn more about TCMU’s On-the-Go educational programming opportunities!