The National Baseball Hall of Fame doesn’t list a discount for individual teachers. What the field trip page does say is that teachers are counted in the chaperone-to-student ratio, and that adults within the 1:10 ratio will be admitted free of charge. For a class trip to Cooperstown, that’s the teacher perk.
If you were hoping to show an educator ID at the ticket booth for a reduced price, the visit page doesn’t have a line for that. Its single-ticket table lists members, adults, seniors, juniors, veterans, military and young children, and no teachers. The savings come from booking a field trip, which the page says is built for students from grades 3 to 12.
How To Get The National Baseball Hall of Fame Teacher Discount
The field trip page puts the cost of a Hall of Fame field trip at $12.00 per student, with a discounted rate of $10 per student for Title I schools. It also says 1 chaperone is required for every 10 students, that teachers are counted in the ratio, and that adults inside it are free. So a teacher leading a class of 20 with one more adult along doesn’t pay an adult fee, as long as the group stays within the ratio.
You request a trip through the registration form on the field trip page. It asks for three potential field trip dates, along with arrival and departure times, the estimated number of students, the approximate number of adult chaperones, the topics you want covered and any special needs. A representative of the Education Department reaches out to confirm the date and time, and the page says your visit isn’t guaranteed until you’ve received a confirmation letter.
What A Field Trip Includes
The page describes three pieces. In the lesson, students work in small groups with Museum Teachers to learn about two topics of your choice. A Museum Teacher also guides small groups through the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery and the museum exhibits, and students can visit the Baseball Discovery Zone to try on replica uniforms and handle equipment from different periods of history.
Each Museum teacher-led learning experience can accommodate up to 20 students, so a bigger grade level will be split into groups. On average, the page says, schools spend two and a half hours at the museum from arrival to departure, which is worth comparing with your bus schedule before you pick a day.
Paying And Planning
Payment for the field trip is required on the day of your visit, and the page asks you to pay for your entire group (teachers, students, chaperones, bus drivers) with one payment. If parents are paying separately, you’ll need to collect their money in advance. The Hall of Fame accepts cash, school checks, purchase orders and credit cards.
Two details affect the headcount. Personal aides for students with special needs are admitted free and don’t count toward the 1:10 ratio, while adults above and beyond the ratio are required to pay the group adult rate entry fee.
A few rules are worth passing on to your students and chaperones. The Hall of Fame doesn’t have space for students to eat lunch within the building, and lunches should be kept on the bus because there isn’t a secure storage area for them in the museum. Backpacks and large bags aren’t allowed in the galleries either. Groups also need to arrive on time, since late arrivals result in shortened or re-structured programs.
Visiting On Your Own
If you’re coming without a class, the visit page lists adult tickets (13-64) at $35.00, seniors (65+) at $29.00, juniors (7-12) at $26.00 and veterans at $25.00. Active and career retired military and children 6 and under are free, and so are museum members. The membership page says every membership level includes free admission to the museum, and neither page lists a teacher or educator rate.
The visit page also says the museum takes part in Museums For All, so SNAP and SUN Bucks participants receive free admission for up to 4 adults. If you’re driving, the Doubleday Field Parking Lot offers an all-day paid option for $15.
What We Couldn’t Confirm
The field trip page says adults above the ratio pay the group adult rate, but it doesn’t give that price, so you’ll want to ask the Education Department before you invite extra chaperones. It also doesn’t say how the Title I rate is verified when you book. The ticket table marks the veterans line with an asterisk, and we couldn’t find wording on the page that explains who qualifies.
Q&A
Does the National Baseball Hall of Fame give teachers a discount?
Not on individual tickets. The visit page’s ticket table has no teacher category. On a booked field trip, teachers count toward the 1:10 chaperone ratio, and adults within the ratio are admitted free.
How much does a field trip cost?
The page says $12.00 per student, with a discounted rate of $10 per student for Title I schools.
How many adults do I need to bring?
The page says 1 chaperone is required per every 10 students.
Do aides for students with special needs have to pay?
No. Personal aides are admitted free, and they don’t count toward the 1:10 ratio.
Can my students eat lunch inside?
No. The page says the Hall of Fame doesn’t have space for students to eat lunch within the building, and that lunches should stay on the bus.
When do I pay?
On the day of your visit, with one payment for your entire group.
More Information:
The details above come from the Hall of Fame’s own pages as they loaded when we checked, and rates change without notice. See more entertainment discounts for teachers.