We are currently accepting group trip registrations for the 2012-2013 school year!

• 30,000 square feet of interactive environments
• Hands-on learning opportunities that expand upon formal learning
• Programs that are closely aligned with Florida’s Sunshine State Standards and the Common Core State Standards
• Fully accessible programs and exhibits designed to include multiple ways of learning that are appropriate for students in prek (ages 4-5) to 5^th grade.

What days can I book a trip?
Field trips are available Tuesday through Saturday, with the exception of the following blackout dates:

• September 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
• October 13, 16, 19, 27
• November 10, 21, 22, 23, 30
• December  4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28
• January 1, 2, 3, 4, 19
• February 16, 19
• March 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
• April 13, 30
• May 24, 25
• June 5-22
• July 4
• August 31

Group visit reservations are available for any type of group (including Mommy and Me groups, play groups, scout troops, youth groups, afterschool programs, and summer camps) as long as they have a minimum of 10 children of similar ages. Formal public and private schools as well as homeschool groups may be eligible for our field trip rate.  Click here for more information on booking a school field trip.
Please note: Self-guided group trips are no longer available.

What is a typical group trip to C’mon like?
Your trip includes:

• 30-45 minutes educator-led program (choices below)
• 1 ½ hours to explore the exhibits with a Museum Guide
• Lunch time
• Outdoor play time

C’mon’s daily group trip maximum is 6 classes of up to 22 children in each class, for a maximum total of 132 children/ day.   We ask that each class be split up into small groups of about 6 children to 1 chaperone.  Each class will stay in one area at a time but the smaller groups will rotate in that area.

Each class in your group will be assigned one of the schedules below, which will be included in your confirmation email.  Only three classes can be assigned to each schedule.

Schedule 1:

• 10 Arrival and C’mon Pledge
• 10:15-11 Program
• 11-11:15 Lunch (in classroom or on classroom terrace)
• 11:15-11:30 Bathroom break
• 11:30-11:45 Outside play
• 11:45-1:15 Exhibit exploration
• 1:15 Departure

Schedule 2:

• 10 Arrival and C’mon Pledge
• 10:15-11:45 Exhibit exploration
• 11:45-12 Bathroom break
• 12-12:15 Lunch (in classroom or on classroom terrace)
• 12:15-1 Program
• 1-1:15 Outside play
• 1:15 Departure

*** Please note: Prek schedules will vary slightly due to a shorter program time***

We ask groups to arrive at 10 am to have time to complete group check in.  If you arrive early, you will be asked to wait on your bus, as groups are unable to enter the Museum until 10 am.

What programs are available?

PreK (ages 4-5)
Program choices:

• Around the World- Learn about rhythm, beat, and more as we explore cultures around the world through storytelling, songs, and movement.
• Where Land Meets Water- Explore life at the beach as we investigate the shapes, colors and textures of shells, use magnifiers to get an up close look at what’s hiding in the sand, and race to help clean the beach in this early learning adventure.

Kindergarten
Program choices:

• Global Celebrations- How do you celebrate New Year’s?  This program studies how cultures around the world use costumes, music, and parades to celebrate their new year.
• The Sun, the Moon, and Me- What makes day and night?  Explore the repeating pattern of day and night and the Law of Gravity in this outer space adventure.

Grade 1
Program choices:

• Beachology- Become a beach-ologist at C’MON by looking at the beach through the eyes of a scientist.  Make observations of sand, shells, and more using microscopes and magnifying glasses and then observe beach drift in our “It’s Alive!” game.
• About Face- Discover the art of creating self-portraits while exploring universal similarities of facial proportion, techniques for drawing facial features and observing self-portraits by master artists.

Grade 2
Program choices:

• Survivor: Everglades- Explore the unique flora and fauna of the Florida Everglades as we learn what all living things need to survive and discover how plants contribute to this delicate ecosystem.  Then see what survives environmental change in our game Survivor: Everglades.
• Healthy Choices Add Up- Enhance math skills by weighing, adding, and subtracting produce and using budgeted money in shopping activities.  Then learn healthy behaviors as we study the five food groups and build MyPlate meals.

Grade 3
Program choices:

• Light, Color and Optical Illusions- Explore the properties of light and discover what happens when it interacts with prisms, mirrors, and filters.  Students will apply techniques in art that are used to create color, 3-dimensional effects, and optical illusions.
• Journey through Space- Travel through the night sky and visit the most famous constellations of the Northern Hemisphere.  Students will become familiar with stars, constellations and the tools and techniques astronomers use to study outer space.

Grade 4
Program choices:

• Let’s Rock- Explore different types of rocks and minerals, learn special properties of rocks, and identify them using geologist’s techniques.
• C’mon Be Green- Explore what makes a building “green” and experiment with the uses of natural energy.  Then determine how much trash you throw away and make “green” products using inexpensive household items.

Grade 5
Program choices:

• CSI: C’mon- Who stole Buffy Livingston’s painting?  Use forensic science to analyze evidence from a burglary and then solve the crime.
• Engineers are Us- Study the laws of physics as you build a track to launch a projectile and complete a variety of design challenges.

How do I book a group trip?
Once you have selected your desired program, email Carolyn Williams, Programs Coordinator, at education@cmon.org with:

• Name, phone number and email address of person booking the trip
• Name, phone number and email address for the group team leader
• Number of classes
• Estimated number of students in each class
• Group’s address
• Group’s phone number
• Contact’s name for the day of the trip and their cell phone number
• Age of children
• Number of chaperones
• Top three choices for trip dates
• Lesson name

Please note, group trips will be processed in the order in which they are received.  You will hear back from us within two weeks.  Once your trip is scheduled and your invoice has been sent, you have two weeks (14 days) to submit full payment or your trip may be canceled. Your trip is NOT confirmed until full payment has been received.

In your confirmation email, you will receive a schedule for each teacher/ group leader.  Please make sure all teachers participating in the trip receive their schedule prior to the trip day.

Please make sure to add education@cmon.org and cwilliams@cmon.org to your contacts to ensure you receive booking emails.

How much does it cost and what are your payment guidelines?
Group trips are $9/child. One chaperone (over the age of 18) per six children are free and required.  Additional chaperones may attend at a cost of $9/person if booked 72 hours in advance ($10/ person if purchased the morning of your visit).

Group trips are available for groups of 10 or more children and must be reserved with full payment at least two weeks in advance. Trips will be booked on a first come- first serve basis and dates cannot be guaranteed until payment is received.

Payment may be made by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express) or check.  Free admission or ½ off admission passes, discount coupons or C’mon memberships may not be applied towards field trip payment.  No payment or adjustment to your group count will be made on the day of your visit. Additional tickets for children or chaperones may be purchased on the day of your visit, but will be done so at the general admission rate of $10/ person. Therefore, we encourage you to make any headcount changes prior to your visit by calling the number indicated on your confirmation form at least 72 hours in advance.  Please remember that your trip cannot include more than 6 classes of up to 22 children each.

What if I need to change or cancel my reservation?
The Museum is in high demand for visiting groups and we must limit the number of groups scheduled on any given day. Therefore, if your plans change, we ask that you cancel, reschedule, or change the number of children in your group well in advance of your visit.  No payment or adjustment to your group count will be made on the day of your visit. Additional tickets for children or chaperones may be purchased on the day of your visit, but will be done so at the general admission rate of $10/ person. Therefore, we encourage you to make any headcount changes prior to your visit by calling the number indicated on your confirmation form at least 72 hours in advance. 
Please remember that your trip cannot include more than 6 classes of up to 22 children each.

Refunds or reductions in amount due will be awarded for trip cancellations or changes in attendance numbers based upon when the Museum is notified:

• More than 30 days in advance: Full refund
• 15 to 30 days in advance: 1/2 refund
• Less than 15 days in advance: No refund

C’mon cannot refund groups for guests that do not arrive on the day of the visit.

Is the Museum accessible for children with disabilities?
C’mon is a fully accessible museum.  Please let us know at the time of booking if your group requires special accommodations or contact Amy Sommerville, Accessibility Coordinator, at asommerville@cmon.org.

What are your child to chaperone requirements?
C’mon requires one chaperone (over the age of 18) per six children, which are included free.  Additional chaperones may attend with a cost of $9/ person if booked at least 72 hours in advance or $10/ person if purchased the morning of the trip.  Aides for children with disabilities are always free.

Chaperones and adults are responsible for the behavior of the group and are required to supervise and stay with students at all times during their visit to C’mon.  Chaperones MAY NOT bring younger or older children with them on the trip.  If a chaperone brings a younger or older sibling, they will not count towards your required one chaperone per 6 students ratio, as they will be unable to provide their full attention to the students needs.

What if there is severe weather?
The outdoor areas of C’mon will remain open except during heavy rain, thunderstorms, or other severe weather. In the event of heavy rain, your group’s Museum experience will be limited to the indoor galleries.  C’mon does not refund payment regardless of weather.

For groups booking during hurricane season, please keep an eye on our website if we are in a forecast cone.  Safety is our first concern, and the Museum will be closed if hurricane or tropical storm force winds are predicted within 48 hours as well as during any evacuation and damage cleanup time.  If your trip is booked during one of these occurrences and the Museum is closed, you are eligible for a refund or to rebook your trip later in the year.

What are our lunch options?
Boxed lunches are available from our Garden Café.  There are a variety of options from which to choose.  Click here to download our lunch order form.

Groups may also elect to bring their own lunches.  Please make sure your lunches are in coolers or baskets clearly labeled with your group’s names.  Groups will be assigned a lunch time in the classrooms or on the classroom terrace, which will be noted on the confirmation email.  Please note, no food or drinks are allowed in the exhibit areas.

Do you have goody bags available for purchase?
Groups may shop in the Museum Store at any time during their visit.  Alternatively, groups may pre-order goody bags for their children at costs of $2.50, $5, or $10 (per child).
Click here to download our goody bag order form.

$2.50- includes C’mon tattoo, C’mon pencil, C’mon post it pad, garden eraser and pinwheel kit

$5- includes all items from the $2.50 bag, plus a star spring, mini magnifying glass, and insect glider

$10- includes all items from the $5 bag, plus a plush raccoon finger puppet and upgraded pinwheel