On-site field trips are available for groups of 10 or more for students ages 8-22. The maximum number of students depends on the type of field trip, and group sizes range from 10–160 students. If you exceed the maximum number of students allowed on a field trip, please fill out an additional tour request form for each field trip you would like to schedule.
The Museum also offers virtual field trips, allowing educators from around the world to provide an interactive learning experience online. The Museum’s virtual field trip experiences are meant to be used either in a virtual classroom or watched individually by students.
Payment Policy
The Museum is pleased to be able to provide a limited number of Opportunity Scholarships to support field trip expenses for qualified schools. The program funds subsidies for admission and/or transportation to the Museum for students and chaperones.
Deposit
A non-refundable $10 deposit is due within 14 business days of receiving your field trip confirmation, or immediately if your field trip date is less than 21 days away. Chicago Public Schools are not required to submit a deposit. Your deposit will be applied to the total balance of your field trip admission.
Payment Methods
We encourage you to prepay in full for your field trip in advance of your visit. If advanced payment is not possible, the balance of your field trip payment is due upon arrival. Please organize payment in full for the entire school group in the form of credit card, check, or cash (exact change only). We do not accept purchase orders. Please deduct the $10 deposit from your final balance before submitting the final payment. It will be applied to the final balance.
Online payments are preferred and can be made via PayPal.
Checks should be mailed to:
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
Attn: Field Trips
9603 Woods Drive
Skokie, IL 60077
Confirmation
You should receive an email confirmation within 10 business days of completing the online registration. If you do not receive your email confirmation within 10 business days, please call 847.967.4848 or email education@ilhmec.org. Review your confirmation carefully, including the date and time of your field trip, tour option, confirmed number of students and chaperones, and any special requests such as lunch reservations.
You will also receive an on-site pre-visit pack to help you plan your trip.
Changing Field Trip Plans
In order for the Museum to properly plan for all interested student groups, a one-time change may be made to the following up to 21 days in advance of the tour, based upon availability:
- Number of Students
- Rescheduling (Date and Time)
- Cancellation
- Addition of Lunchroom
All changes must be requested in writing to the Education Department via email from an official school email address. Changes will not be accepted by phone.
Number of Students
After final confirmation of your student group size, we shall not issue any refunds or make any final balance due adjustments for failure to adhere to the confirmed group size. We reserve the right to invoice schools for any unpaid balance due.
Lunch Options
Lunchroom facilities must be reserved and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to request the Student Dining Hall on your field trip request form if you would like your students to eat at the Museum. Groups that have confirmed Student Dining Hall reservations must bring student lunches in boxes labeled by group. Lunches will be stored during your tour. Refrigeration is not available.
Chaperone Policy
The Museum requests student groups include one chaperone for every 10 students. Additional chaperones not serving as necessary aides are charged the group tour fee of $18/adult. We will assign one docent for each group of 20 students. Bus drivers and tour operators are granted complimentary admission. Medical/behavioral aides accompanying special needs students, over and above the 1:10 ratio are also granted complimentary admission. Note: College/University field trips do not require chaperones.
Behavioral Policy
Every visitor has a right to enjoy a meaningful and educational visit to the Museum. Inappropriate behavior that detracts from others’ experience with be dealt with at the discretion of Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center staff or docent volunteer. Such behavior may result in a group being asked to leave the building and could jeopardize future visits to the Museum.
Photography & Videography
Unless otherwise noted, photography without flash is allowed inside most Museum exhibitions, as well as in public, non-exhibition spaces (i.e. lunchroom, lobby) and outside the building. We encourage post-field trip reflections on social media – be sure to tag the Museum on Facebook (Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center) and Instagram (@ihmec)!
Prohibited Items
All visitors must pass through metal detectors and have their belongings scanned. For your safety, all items brought into the Museum are subject to inspection. Please leave all coats, bags, and valuable personal belongings back at school or on the bus. It is a very short walk from the bus into the Museum.
Prohibited items:
- Food and beverage (Except bagged lunches for groups with Dining Hall reservations)
- Chewing gum and candy
- Writing utensils (pencils, pens, etc.)
Parking
The Museum maintains six bus parking spaces in our main lot. There is no fee to park in these spots.
Cancellation Policy
Refunds will not be given for cancelled tours. If your group is unable to travel to the Museum due to extreme weather conditions, please call us at 847.967.4848 as soon as possible. We will make every effort to reschedule your visit, based on availability.
Rescheduling Policy
Any request to reschedule within 21 days of the field trip date will be considered a cancellation and a new request and deposit must be submitted in order to reschedule.
Photo credits: Scott Edwards