Illinois School Groups

Booking a Field Trip

Check our Field Trip Planner to help you plan your visit.

Unavailable Dates

Some dates near holidays may be unavailable for group reservations. Please email ILSchools@adlerplanetarium.org for information.

Spring Break: March 26 - April 6, 2012

Chaperone Policy

• You are responsible for your students and their behavior while visiting the Adler Planetarium.
• We have a MANDATORY CHAPERONE POLICY. You must be with your students at all times during your visit. This policy applies to student groups of all ages, including high-school students.
• We require at least one chaperone for every seven students. However, you are encouraged to bring one chaperone for every four students. (A chaperone is an adult over 21.)
• Chaperones will receive complimentary admission and shows with proper ratio. A minimum of 1 adult chaperone per 7 students is required. Teachers and Chaperones will be charged upon arrival if this minimum chaperone requirement is not met.

Payment Policy

• Payment in full is due at the time the Illinois School Group Reservation Request form is submitted. Reservations will not be processed without payment.
• The total number of people in the group may be increased at any time, on a space-available basis, with payment in full up to seven days prior to visit date.
• The total number of people may be decreased, with full refund minus the $50 refund processing fee, up to 30 days prior to visit date.
• Refunds will not be given on reductions in size of group less than 30 days prior to visit date.
• Groups arriving at the Adler Planetarium with higher numbers of adults and children than reserved are subject to revised payment totals.
• Purchase orders cannot be accepted as a form of payment.

Late Arrival Policy

• If your group arrives late and misses any reserved function we will try to accommodate the group at another time. However, if the reserved function(s) are missed and we are unable to reschedule no refunds will be issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can reservations be made over the phone?
  Reservations must be made in writing by submitting the Illinois School Group Reservation Online Form.

• Are teachers/chaperones admitted free?
  Chaperones will receive complimentary admission and shows with proper ratio. If proper ratio is not met upon arrival, Teachers and Chaperones will be charged the full rate. One teacher/chaperone is required per seven students.

• Is brown bag lunch space available?
  Pending availability, we do have space for groups to bring their own lunches. The brown bag lunchroom space is only available during the school year (September 6, 2011 through June 1, 2012.)

• Is there somewhere we can store our brown-bag lunches until lunchtime?
  You will be able to store lunches upon arrival. Please consolidate them into a box and label for easy storage. We are unable to refrigerate lunches.

• How do I know if my reservation request has been received and confirmed?
  A confirmation by email will soon follow. Please do not consider your visit confirmed until you receive confirmation. If you would like to check on the status of your reservation, please email ilschools@ adlerplanetarium.org.

• If we bring extra children and/or adults, can we pay at the door?
  You may pay at the door, but any unreserved additions will be pending availability. Also, please keep in mind that we are unable to accept personal checks for day-of payment.