Plan Your Visit

• Reservations
• Itineraries
• Lunchtime
• Class Size
• Chaperones
• Driving Directions
• Payment and Cancellations
• Special Needs
• Museum Store
• Driving Directions for Buses
• Pre-Visit/Post-Visit Activities
• Other
  

The reservation process will go smoothly if you do the following before calling:

• Have a range of dates in mind for your class(es) to visit.
• Examine the program descriptions on our Education Programs page.  Each program has a specific theme, and some programs are targeted to specific age groups.  Think about which programs best address your curriculum and grade(s).  Most of our programs can accommodate two classes per program per day.  Change in the Making can accommodate four classes per day. 
• Have a school calendar handy.  Know when activities such as MCAS, sporting events, or early dismissal will be.
• Look at the program itineraries.  Programs have different starting and ending times on different days. Many schools participate in multiple programs that have different starting and ending times on the same day.  We have routines for such situations and will make sure that groups whose programs start later or end earlier are not left unattended for any length of time.

Itineraries

Each Tsongas Center program has a pre-set itinerary (pdf). The museum teacher/park ranger follows it closely and has to stay on time. Many other groups may be visiting the Tsongas Center during your visit, so all movements are coordinated.

We make every effort to accommodate your scheduling needs. When you reserve your program, please tell us if you must arrive late or leave early. We can provide key program elements even within a modified schedule. Although we must observe trolley schedules and schedules of other groups, we will try to be flexible.

Lunchtime
Groups must provide their own food and beverage. We provide no food or beverage service, but space is provided for your convenience. Guiding your group to the lunchroom, managing this part of your program’s schedule (including the bathroom break), and meeting your museum teacher/ park ranger again, on time, is your responsibility. Your museum teacher/park ranger will provide you with the information you need to stay on schedule.

Please have each student pack his/her lunch in small, individual, paper or plastic bags labeled with the name of the student and the day’s program.

Do not put lunches in:
Coolers
Cardboard boxes
Large plastic bags

Please, no backpacks.

Class Size
Each program can accommodate up to 30 students.  (Exception: River As a Classroom, maximum 27, including adults)

Chaperones
The Tsongas Industrial History Center requires one chaperone for every ten students, and chaperones have an important role. A museum teacher/park ranger will greet your group when you arrive and lead your program throughout the day. Each program has a pre-set itinerary (pdf). Your help in moving the group and keeping the students on task makes the day run smoothly. Chaperone duties include the following:

• Staying with your group of students at all times and actively assisting them. Escorting a student to the restroom if necessary.
• Following at the rear of the group to help keep everyone together.
• Escorting a student to the sickroom and staying with him/her.
• Addressing any student misbehavior, should the need arise.
• Monitoring your group as they use the restroom at lunchtime or visit the museum store.

Payment and Cancellations
If you must cancel your program, you must do so 21 days in advance of your visit. Failure to cancel a visit 21 days in advance deprives another school of the opportunity to visit. Payment, purchase order, or a call arranging other payment procedures is due 21 days in advance of your visit.

Fees
Field Trip Programs: $195 per program of up to 30 students
Boat Program (River As a Classroom): $280 per program of up to 27 people, including adults
Extended-Day Add-On: $100 per workshop of up to 30, or up to 27 if boat tour add-on
January Field Trip Discount: $155 per program of up to 30 students
Fees (In-School Programs): $110 for first school program, $85 for successive same-day programs.

Special Needs
Notify the Reservations office at (978) 970-5000 in advance if your group has any special needs or considerations--child in a wheelchair, language or hearing issues, additional students, etc.  All program locations are handicapped-accessible.

Museum Store
A museum store is located in the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and in the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center. If a visit to the museum store is not included in your program schedule, you are welcome to visit the museum store at the conclusion of your program. Your museum teacher/park ranger can make the arrangements and lead your group there. A mail-order form is included in this folder for your convenience. A discount is available to teachers with a school purchase order or a sample of school letter-head (10% for the first 11 items, 20% for 12 or more items)

Pre-visit/Post-visit: Prepare your students for their visit with activities you can download free from our website or call us at (978) 970-5080 to order a hard copy for $5.00.

Other

Group Management
We provide a museum teacher/ranger to teach each program. Classroom teachers and chaperones are responsible for all group management and discipline issues. You, after all, know your students best; your cooperation and active involvement will help ensure that the day runs smoothly! Our museum teachers will do their best to keep to the itineraries provided. Please note that these times must be followed as closely as possible since many other groups will be visiting the Tsongas Center and Park on the day of your visit.

Name Tags
If your students wear name tags, the program leader can actively engage students by calling them by name.

Bathrooms
Your itinerary includes a bathroom break. Only limited facilities are available on arrival.

Weather
All programs require some outside walking, rain or shine. Have students dress accordingly, and remember to remove jackets from the bus on arrival.