How many chaperones do you require?

[Museumgirl]

How many chaperones do you require with your school groups? For example, 1 adult per every 10 children, etc. Also, are these chaperones admitted for free or do they pay?

[Arnold Palmer]

Originally Posted by Museumgirl

How many chaperones do you require with your school groups? For example, 1 adult per every 10 children, etc. Also, are these chaperones admitted for free or do they pay?

We, at Ste Marie Museum, also use a 1 to 10 ratio. (Do I see a pattern developing here?) More adults than 1:10 pay the normal rate (a measly $3), otherwise, chaperones get to see the sights for free.

[athenscurator]

Originally Posted by Museumgirl

How many chaperones do you require with your school groups? For example, 1 adult per every 10 children, etc. Also, are these chaperones admitted for free or do they pay?

We thought about charging chaperones over the 1:10 or 1:5 ratio - but we're in the process of completely transforming our museum and trying to rebuild a visitor base. Therefore, we decided that by letting a few chaperones in free here and there, may result in them bringing back family members on the weekend when they will all pay - or even better, they may buy a family membership.

[Education]

We allow as many chaperones in for free as they feel is required to bring. We have had teachers bring 1:2 chaperones and we have had teachers bring 0 chaperones. I tell teachers that I trust them (and I mean it) and they know what is required in order to manage their class best. I also tell them that they are accountable for their class at all times while at Pier 21 and if their class is not behaving acording to the museum's standards (which they are given with their confirmation documentation) that they may be asked to leave at their expense. I have yet to actually have to kick a school out - they are all well behaved. Most teachers will bring a reasonable amount of chaperones. Most are governed by the rules of the school boards the teachers work for and is different depending on age levels. Younger students will require a higher ratio of chaperones. We allow all chaperones in for free because we expect them to be working just as hard as we are to supervise the children and engage them in learning. We are the leaders, but they are there to assist and facilitate and we expect them to do so. By not charging them for their visit, they are less likely to feel like tourists getting to tag along with a school group and more likely to feel like they have a role to play. They are also less likely to take it poorly when we ask them to help manage the students. It's really a win win. We have better managed school groups, happier teachers/chaperones, happier visitors who don't have to deal with noisey school kids ruining their visit and excellent chaperone partners who are likely to come back and visit on their own another time anyway or share their experiences with others.