Education Programs

The Connecticut River Museum (CRM) invites educators, youth group leaders, and students to discover the Connecticut River and explore the natural environment and human experiences along its 410 miles. Our education programs emphasize interdisciplinary studies using local, cultural, and natural resources to engage students.

All CRM programs are designed to meet a variety of State of Connecticut curriculum standards in social studies, language arts, science, and art and are led by trained Museum Educators. CRM is committed to delivering dynamic programs that are student-directed and grounded in inquiry and discovery.

Programs are available on our campus, off-site in schools and other community organizations, and hybrid.

Custom programs meeting the needs of your students and curriculum may also be available. Please contact the Education Department at lbdionne@ctrivermuseum.org for more information.

MUSEUM SCHOLARSHIPS

The Connecticut River Museum has a small scholarship fund intended to expand access to our museum.

Wheels to Learning Promotion – “Wheels to Learning provides transportation funding for field trips for Windham County, Connecticut public schools traveling to designated non-profit educational and cultural institutions.”

For more information please go to https://wheelstolearning.org/

PROGRAMS AT THE MUSEUM

The museum can accommodate up to 75 students per day for exhibit and workshop programs. In the spring and continuing through early fall, programs may also be conducted aboard the Onrust, a reproduction of the 1614 Dutch wooden yacht originally captained by Adriaen Block. Maximum capacity is 25 people (students and teachers) per trip. Multiple trips may be scheduled in one day. Our other vessel, the RiverQuest, is also available during most of the year and can fit a group of 30 comfortably. Programs are also available at Bushnell Farm in nearby Old Saybrook. These hands-on and interactive programs focus on New England colonial life. For information on onsite educational programs and rates, please contact the Education Department at lbdionne@ctrivermuseum.org.

On-Land Educational Program Fees at CRM:

Includes regular museum admission plus your choice of a 90-minute program.

Up to 25 students; $15 per student

25-49 students; $12 per student

50-75 students; $10 per student

On-Water Boat Program Fees at CRM:

One hour boat excursion on Onrust or RiverQuest; must accompany at least one 90 minute program.

Up to 25 students; $25 per student

25-49 students; $20 per student

50-74 students; $18 per student

BOOKING AN EDUCATION A PROGRAM

PROGRAMS AT YOUR SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION

The Connecticut River Museum is happy to bring a program to your school or organization. All traveling programs cost $225 per class (maximum of 25 students) and $0.67 per mile traveled round trip. Some programs require an additional materials charge.

SCHEDULE A PROGRAM

We recommend scheduling your program at least two months in advance and require at least 2 weeks notice. Contact the Education Department at 860-767-8269, extension 113 or email lbdionne@ctrivermuseum.org. Please provide your school name, grade level, number of students, contact information, program of interest, requested date (please give 3 dates), and requested start and end time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Payment

Payment in full is due two weeks prior to program date and made be made by one check or by credit card. If program is being booked within two weeks, full payment with a credit card must be made at the time of booking.

Please note that no refunds will be awarded if your group arrives with fewer students than stated on the confirmation invoice. Additional tickets may be purchased on the day of your visit.

All payments are payable to the Connecticut River Museum Education Department, Attn: Director of Education.

Lunch

Indoor and outdoor spaces may be available for lunch. Please request a lunch space during booking. Students should bring brown-bag lunches. We do not have food services on site but local eateries may offer discounts to school groups.

Chaperones

Chaperones are required at a rate of 1 adult chaperone per 10 students. These chaperones are offered complimentary admission to the museum. Additional adults must pay $10 each for any museum program and $25 for a boat program.

Address, Bus Instructions, and Parking

Our address is 67 Main Street, Essex, CT 06426. Please be sure to include our zip code in the map application that you use.

School Busses: Please drop off and pick up on the right side of the circle at the bottom of Main Street by pulling close to the curb (disregard the sign on Main Street that directs “Tour Buses and RVs” to make a left turn. This does NOT apply to school buses). Directly in front of the bus will be a grey boat house. Do not block the public boat ramp. Students should proceed along the sidewalk, crossing the boat ramp, and enter through the museum’s entry sign pavilion. Buses should park on Pratt Street or at Essex Town Hall, 29 West Avenue.

We are happy to provide your bus driver a complimentary admission to explore the museum during your school visit.

Passenger vans may park in our parking lot.

For more information click the link below:

https://ctrivermuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/School-Bus-Parking.pdf