Education

Field Trips

The Museum welcomes youth groups from across the Lake Winnebago Region and beyond. To arrange a field trip, contact us today at 920.236.5799, or click here to get the adventure started!

Cost

The Museum offers free admission to students visiting as part of a pre-scheduled group outing with the Oshkosh Area School District (grades K-12), including any private, charter, parochial or homeschools in Oshkosh. Students on field trips from outside the Oshkosh Area School District are $4 per child. Children receive free admission for group visits reserved in advance with the following clubs and organizations: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Oshkosh Boys & Girls Club or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fox Valley Region.  

Chaperones

One adult chaperone per 10 students is admitted free. An adult admission fee of $8 is charged for each chaperone in excess of the Museum's required chaperone ratio. Groups with special needs may require additional chaperones.  

The Oshkosh Public Museum is an exciting place of discovery, learning and inspiration. On your visit, we ask that you honor these simple rules for a fun day at the Museum. We hope you enjoy your visit and come back to see us again!

• Use quiet inside voices and be courteous of others
• Walk respectfully and act responsibly; no running or shouting
• Children must stay with their group and be accompanied by an adult at all times
• Keep hands to yourself; do not touch artwork, sculptures or other objects
• Refrain from taking food or drinks into the galleries
• Be respectful of interactive activities; return items when finished
• The Museum reserves the right to ask any students or groups to leave due to unruly or disruptive behavior

Arrival

Groups enter and leave through the Museum main entrance on the south side of the building. The group leader should check-in and pay at the Museum Store prior to bringing in the students. The entrance can become crowded with large groups, so please be patient while we orient individual groups. A limited number of coat hangers are available and it is recommended to leave coats and other personal items on the bus. 

Parking

A bus unloading and loading zone is available just outside of the entrance. Bus parking is available in the RiverValley Church parking lot, directly across from the Museum on High Avenue.

Lunch

The Museum does not have lunchroom space available to eat lunch indoors. In the spring and summer months, weather permitting, large groups are welcome to picnic outside on the Museum grounds. All groups must bring their own lunches.

Museum Store

A favorite among visiting groups, we also have an excellent Museum Store with many affordable souvenirs, from postcards and old-fashioned toys to children's books and historic photographs.

Tips for Your Visit

• Make a pre-visit if possible before bringing your class to familiarize yourself with the building and exhibits. Wisconsin teachers should call 920.236.5776 in advance to schedule a free tour. A gallery guide is also available on our website.
• Plan for about one and a half hours to see the Museum. This includes seeing temporary exhibits, our interactive People of the Waters, Grandma's Attic and Pioneer Log Cabin exhibits, viewing the Apostles Clock, and visiting the Museum Store.
• Remember that the Apostles Clock chimes every hour on the hour. Most groups schedule their visits so that they can see the clock chime at least once.

Pre-Field Trip Handouts

Introducing the museum before the visit will enhance the field trip experience. This handout offers a variety of options to use with your classroom.

Pre-Field Trip Handouts Download

Field Trip Worksheets

To facilitate museum exploration and provide structure to your visit, we have created museum handouts to use during your field trip. Each document contains handouts for different areas of the museum. These activities are designed to promote critical thinking while exploring. 

Elementary Field Trip Handouts Download

High School Field Trip Handouts  Download

Post-Visit Assessments

These compiled assessments help students show what they have learned at the museum. They are designed to be used in the classroom as a wrap-up for the trip, or as a way to move onto the next topic. These assessments have questions for students of different developmental levels.

Post-Field Trip Assessments  Download