Be sure to take time before your visit to review the following with your students and adult chaperones so everyone is prepared for their visit.

• Download a Teacher Checklist (PDF, 35 KB)
  Printable checklist to plan your visit.
• Download a School Subsidy Application (PDF, 47 KB)
  
• Download Directions to Old World Wisconsin (PDF, 96 KB)
  

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Thoroughly review your confirmation letter and itinerary. Is everything accurate including arrival time, lunch time, museum store schedule, and area you wish to visit? The museum store and picnic areas are available by reservation ONLY; please consider reserving a time when making your tour arrangements.

Because planning for your group takes time, we will need to confirm your registration two weeks before the date of your visit. If major changes occur within the two weeks before your visit, the museum staff will make every reasonable effort to find alternate programming. However, if your group reserves late, we cannot guarantee that alternate programming will be available for your group. We recommend making your reservation as soon as possible to hold your date.

Required chaperones are admitted free. Additional adult chaperones will be charged $13 each. We realize that schools may not know in advance exactly how many chaperones will attend. While we welcome any additional adults, adult chaperones added after the two week registration deadline will be charged the regular adult admission rate of $16 each.

The smallest group that qualifies for a field trip is ten students plus one chaperone. Many areas of Old World Wisconsin have a limited capacity; the large group capacity of each area varies between 60 - 100 students. If you have a very large group (over 100 students), consider splitting the group between different educational experiences. Old World Wisconsin staff can offer helpful suggestions. Groups of more than 120 have been accommodated in the past.

Divide students and adults into the groups specified on your itinerary. Large groups will be broken down into tour groups of 20-30 people on site. If you have multiple groups, please arrange student groups by bus. Please note that if you are visiting the German or Norwegian areas you will use your bus to travel between the Visitor Center and back. Your bus driver will receive a map upon arrival at the main entrance. Delays caused by shuffling or redistributing your students upon arrival can disrupt your tour arrangements.

Your school/organization is responsible for payment for the total number of students in your group plus the cost for any additional adults. While we welcome additional adult chaperones, Old World Wisconsin cannot guarantee that we will have space for additional unreserved students or adults.

Designate one person (payment leader) to make payment for your entire group. We accept VISA, MasterCard or checks (payable to Old World Wisconsin). No cash payments will be accepted for field trips. Please note that no other discounts, such as free passes, are accepted with field trips. Your payment leader will have the choice of traveling with your group and returning before your departure to make your payment, or paying right away and catching up with your group.

Clearly label containers with your school name. Please encourage students to have their names on their own lunches. Lunches may be taken off the bus and stored, depending on your tour arrangements. Please note that refrigerated storage is not available.

For the safety of historic artifacts and the comfort of all visitors, students are not to wear backpacks. Students should plan to leave their backpacks at school or on the bus on the day of the trip. Adult chaperones may carry backpacks as necessary (as required by law for any special needs of your group). No food, candy, gum, or beverages (other than water) are allowed in the historic exhibits or Museum Store. Students may bring water bottles, but are asked to keep them closed inside the buildings.

Remind all group members that they are ambassadors for their organization and community. Please show respect for our site – treat buildings and objects gently; dispose of trash in the garbage, don't climb fences – so that the things that you enjoy today can be enjoyed by other schools and visitors many years into the future.

Old World Wisconsin simulates the rural environment of the 1800s and early 1900s. The modern areas of Old World Wisconsin (including restrooms, Visitor Center, and orientation show) are wheelchair accessible. Please keep in mind that some exhibit areas have limited accessibility due to the scale used in historic restorations and the rural setting. Student groups will be doing plenty of walking during their field trip and access to some of the historic buildings may be difficult. Please discuss with us any special accommodations needed for members of your group prior to your visit.

Please dress appropriately for weather and wear comfortable shoes. Much of your time will be spent outdoors moving from building to building. Comfortable shoes are best for walking on our roads and paths. In the event of dangerous weather conditions, you will be contacted about alternate arrangements or possible cancellation and refund.

If you know you will need to cancel before the day of your visit, please call 262-594-6301.

Please be on time. However, if you encounter problems on the day of your visit and are running late, please call our Visitor Center ticket booth at 262-594-6314.

Your field trip at Old World Wisconsin is carefully scheduled and interwoven with the tours of many other schools. We recognize that circumstances beyond your control sometimes cause groups to fall behind schedule. Please help us get your group back on schedule by following the instructions given by our staff; they will do their very best to give you a quality experience in the time that you have on site. Please note that if you arrive late or otherwise get off schedule we cannot guarantee equivalent experiences to originally scheduled programming will be available. The museum staff will make every reasonable effort to find alternate programming for late groups.

When you arrive, please have the students remain seated while an OWW greeter speaks with chaperones.

Please direct students to follow the instructions of Old World Wisconsin staff. During interactive exhibits students will be instructed about which objects are okay to handle. If students have questions about an object, please encourage them to ask.

If children try to pet or feed the working farm animals, there is a chance they may get bitten. Your students' safety is important to us! Please remind them to enjoy the animals from a distance.

Remember that trams are motor vehicles and like any car or bus, they can be dangerous. Students must not jump on, off or in front of a moving tram. When a tram is approaching, please have all members of your group move to the side of the road.

Above all, we want your experience at Old World Wisconsin to be educational and enjoyable. If you have any questions, please contact the Tour Coordinator at 262-594-6301 or by email.