I also have membership at Children's museum in Indianapolis. The unauthorized use of images of Union Station for commercial purposes could falsely suggest endorsement and therefore is prohibited. I actually have never looked into the AZA benefits. Thats right. Please enable cookies in your browser. It allows free parking with a valid membership and six free tickets to a Discovery Room session or a planetarium show. ACM-Association of Childrens Museums 200+museums offer 50% discount up to 6 people/family membership. Participants in government assistance and EBT . Included for up to 2 adults and 6 youth (ages 3-17) in the same household plus 2 named caregivers (nannies, grandparents, etc.) Actually The Children's Museum isn't part of ASTC. Click on each one to go to their website and check out the participating museums, centers and zoos and read about any special rules. Ive written it off our list. Chicago, from For the last 6+ years they have explored all over North America and share their top tips on things to do in locations with kids, along with road trip ideas and tips on RVing. Participation in and the benefits of reciprocity programs can change at any time, so please keep these tips in mind: MSI members at all levels enjoy 50 percent off admission at the following museums: Can't find your answer online? Yes! Not long ago. Stacey Hi! You do have to renew your membership each year, but it pays for itself in no time. Thanks so much, Molly! What is the difference between the ACM and the ASTC? It didnt include the zoo membership, but we can always get online and buy from Baton Rouge again, or we can do some more research and possibly find another one that will save us more money. I got blindsided by that 90-mile rule when I tried to use my Stepping Stones membership at the Childrens Museum in West Hartford! The gift of Membershipto Union Station is guaranteed to please, with great savings to year-round attractions and special touring exhibitions. You can apply the value of your current membership and receive a prorated price based on your current expiration date. Contact [emailprotected] for details. Google Universal Analytics long-time unique user tracking identifier. The 12-month membership would begin when your recipient redeems the voucher. BTW, the Ecotarium is on our list of places we really want to visit. You can also learn more by visiting the ACMs website or the ASTCs website. ASTC Association of Science Technology Centers https://www.astc.org/, NARM-NorthAmericanReciprocalMuseum One of the largest reciprocal membership programs in the world with members in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, El Salvador and Mexico! When you are traveling full-time or even if you just like to travel a lot it is easy to spend a lot of money on extracurricular activities. Members get early access to enrollment PLUS family members (Dual+) save $50 per weekly session per child. For a reduced rate of $5.00 each as long as one person is listed on the membership card. Experience new traveling exhibits hosted by Union Station each year. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Discover the universe like never before in our 60 foot, clear 360-degree dome featuring twin 4K projection technology, booming surround sound, and new seating and lighting. She takes us and other visitors to Durham there to see the exhibits and for a break from the summer heat. https://tickets.unionstation.org/resend. Hope to get there soon. We bought a gift membership to the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC for our daughter who lives there. You were my first inspiration to this fulltime lifestyle and I still come back to your site for info all the time! I feel dumb now. Entry through Members' Only ticket lines via our Harborside Entrance. 4:00 I have a membership in Indianapolis (for which I paid $70 for the family) and got into Chicago's Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and Adler's Planetarium for free. At the end of the day, it wasnt such a travesty. Give the gift of membership in the form of a gift voucher by clicking here. ASTC does not administer museum membership cards. I just found this post on researching the ASTC and ACM programs. Children under six are always free. We are members of the Boston Science Museum, not the Childrens Museum. To learn more read, below. Experience the regions biggest screen (five stories high and 80 feet wide)! The website cannot function properly without these cookies. Its that they are encouraging you to visit other childrens museums when or if you travel. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, This link has a list of all the participating museums and science centers. As members, we receive reciprocity at AZA and ASTC (over 500 museums and zoos nation-wide and countless places world-wide.). The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. You will have admittance to the Extreme Mount Washington Museum in the Mt. Cookies are required for this site to operate correctly. Core Level - The Essentials. Its not that they are encouraging you TO travel. And, at some locations Free parking too. You can learn more about your local zoo or aquarium's membership program on their website or by contacting them directly. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Members of these organizations can receive a variety of exclusive benefits and privileges, such as free admission, gift shop discounts, and more. Patrons receive all the benefits of membership for up to 6, plus: Regarding Reciprocity as part of our MOS membership benefits we receive Free access, (not a discounted rate) to the museums/zoos weve visited, including Roger Williams Park Zoo in RI. }{?Fo~.a/>{_|'??vM There are some museums and zoos that are listed as discounted admission, like the Philadelphia Zoo and are clearly identified on the MOS website. by PassPro | Nov 23, 2021 | Reciprocal Programs. Google advertising cookie used for user tracking and ad targeting purposes. They will tell you it will not work within 90 miles of the museum you purchased from. I dont mind supporting the Providence Childrens Museum. Members also can get up to 10% off purchases from Star Store except for autographed books. Located in Columbus, Georgia, the Coca-Cola Space Science Center offers a fun day of exploration. Open today Members can also receive dollar-off access to see the OMNIMAX theater and special exhibits that are there. Exclusions apply and benefits vary. Thanks for all the info Jen at www.free2breathe.com! To provide a better user experience, EAA uses cookies. We always have plenty of free choices of museums and zoos to visit locally and when traveling with this choice. Portions of the website, including membership login, join, renewal, shopping, and AirVenture ticketing may be unavailable at that time. With our membership we get: Free admission or discounts to science museums - ASTC science museums ( http://www.astc.org) Discounts at zoos and aquariums -AZA Association of Zoos & Aquariums ( https://www.aza.org ), Half price at Children's Museums - ACM Association of Children's Museums ( http://www.childrensmuseums.org) Sometimes we pay just a couple dollars per person and other times we opt out and use one of our free reciprocals. When the recipient is ready to redeem your gift, they can go online and pick the membership that best suits their family. These are memberships that you buy from one place and can use at many. And I would definitely recommend them. Its always a good idea to call the membership office if you have any doubts about which membership levels include reciprocity. With your membership at Boston Childrens Museum, does that AZA get you into the Roger Williams Park Zoo for free or at a discounted rate? Youth (5-17) $5. If you have older kids that may be the better option for you. We are so lucky to have so many great museums in our state. Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, this incredible museum will allow two adults and up to three children from the same household to enjoy a day of exploring. Museum of Science & Industry I made the mistake several years ago when I (living in Indianapolis) bought a Field Museum (Chicago) membership. ), but not Boston Childrens. As someone who lives in Canada and travels to the US frequently with my young children this has been a god send the last few years. Google Universal Analytics short-time unique user tracking identifier. It includes over 300 organizations in more than 40 states across the country. ***Business member facility rental includes Grand Plaza, Science City, Extreme Screen, Haverty Family Yards, Arthur Stilwell, Jarvis Hunt, Innovation Center. PLEASE NOTE: This post was written in 2013. Guests must present proof of current ASTC museum membership and a valid photo ID to receive . Family Plus Membership $140. Plus, access to a preview of the exhibition before it opens to the public! How do I know if my primary museum participates in one or both of these programs? Member benefits such as Science City admission cannot be used by guests who are not on the membership. Then we found a zoo we wanted to go to and we knew to shop around. What's the cheapest membership on the list? Free admission for two additional guests and all children in household and grandchildren under 21. IF you have more than six members in your family, regular rates apply for the rest of the group. For $62 we get free admission for our family of 7, to over 1,800 museums for the entire year. When we first started traveling we bought a membership online to the Montana Natural History Center. 180 0 obj <>stream Click for Privacy Policy / Disclosure Policy. How to Sign up for Reciprocal Museum Memberships? Western NC Nature Center has reasonably priced dual memberships: https://wildwnc.org/membership, $69 for 2 adults and up to 4 children (age 3-17) Union Station including Science City and all of our vital offerings is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with an operating budget that is sustained through donations. Well, I have a confession to make. (Free access with MOS membership)! Thanks again for your feedback! Roger Williams Park Zoo in RI is a favorite as is the Ecotarium in Worcester. Hi Mandy, I am sure there are LOTS of folks who have run into the same issue. Purchase tickets online We love science centers, they are educational hands on learning and play areas for kids and adults. Members can visit hundreds of museums around the world for free or at discounted rates! Yes! ASTCs Commitment to Diversity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Equity, ASTC Fellow Award for Outstanding Contribution, 2020 PIT Community Innovation Fellowship Program, Community Science Dialogue & Deliberation Fellowship Program, Thriving Earth Exchange Community Science Fellows Program, Accessibility Toolkit for Museum Digital Engagement, Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education, Sparks for Science, Community, and Equity, CCLI (Cultural Competence Learning Institute), Collaboration for Ongoing Visitor Experience Studies (COVES), Informal STEM Learning (ISL) Professional Framework, International Science Center and Science Museum Day, Diversity and Leadership Development Fellows Program, Dialogue & Deliberation Fellowship Program, Thriving Earth Exchange Fellowship Program, Public Interest Technology Community Innovation Fellowship Program, Learn about Science Center and Museum Member Benefits. The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is a membership organization of science engagement institutionsespecially science and technology centers and museums in North America and around the world that provide opportunities for lifelong learning about science and technology; connect science, technology, and society; engage diverse communities; and partner to tackle global and local challenges. So when Mandy suggested that we should put together a post outlining the basics of the two major reciprocal programs, the Association of Childrens Museums (ACM) and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), I jumped at the chance to educate myself right alongside our readers. Looking for a museum to visit with your kids? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Members can get two adults and their children under seventeen for free. If you are a member of a science center or museum participating in the ASTC Passport Program, you are eligible for benefits such as free general admission when you travel outside of your local area. These days, most museums list all the details of their membership on their website. Analytics cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. Again these are only 50% off, so with a family of 7, the price can still add up. Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. Thanks for your recommendations! Childrens Classes, Playtimes, & Storytimes, Childrens Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, The NEW Playground at Elm Ridge Park in Rocky Hill, The Lutz Childrens Museum (changing from $100/year to $125/year), Kidcity(changing from $100/year to $125/year, although Kidcity will still offer a Kidcity-only membership for $100/year), Imagine Nation (changing from $100/year to $125/year), Childrens Museum of Southeastern Connecticut (changing from $100/year to $125/year). Thanks for sharing your experience, Susan! We purchase our membership through The Boston Childrens center on our yearly Boston trek. The museum you are visiting has to be more than 90 miles from your home address. Copyright Union Station. Especially if you have kids! This got us an ASTC membership. Discounts from a variety of organizations such as the Baltimore Orioles and Stroller Strides. Kansas Citys Science Center is THE place for inquisitive minds of all ages to experience the amazing world of science with 92,000 sqft of indoor and outdoor hands-on learning and non-stop fun. Find Participating Museums . Discounted Membership and Museums for All Access Options. We were so lucky to learn about the awesome reciprocal museum membership that you can buy. (Any U.S. State or Territory)AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict Of ColumbiaFederated States of MicronesiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarshall IslandsMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPalauPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirgin IslandsVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming, Keyword Search by name, institution, or city (not required), 2020 Association of Science and Technology CentersSite map | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy. The Cernan Earth and Space Center at Triton College offers free planetarium admission for up to four members of the same family membership to the ASTC. It includes science centers and museums, as well as nature centers, aquariums, planetariums, zoos, botanical gardens, and natural history and children's museums. Your membership is tax-deductible and, with it, you remain part of our historic family of supporters helping ensure our place in the community for years to come. We purchased ours through Boonshoft childrens museum in Ohio http://www.boonshoftmuseum.org. p.m. Open tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2023 Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Association of Science-Technology Centers. You will need to provide proof of your residence to verify you live more than ninety miles from Discovery World. They did not require residency, are part of both programs and are more than 90 miles away. Not far away. You just call and tell them you want the $136 membership and verify to make sure that it includes the ASTC, AZA, and ACM reciprocal program. Exclusive discounts on: Franklin Institute parking garage - $5 off. They are a blast for kids under 10, but even our older kids love them. Pacific Science Center offers two membership programs for low-income families, foster youth, and youth experiencing homelessness. hb```) eaq4CaE?X\````h `*mb)H( f2 En62.ozc~~`NaA&N4#-KyAD A+ Members of ASTC Travel Passport Program institutions may receive free general admission for up to two adults and three children (17 and under). Some are free and some are 50% off. Members save 10% at Union Station Restaurants and Retail Stores, including: Escape Room, Museum of Illusions, Harvey's, Parisi Coffee, Pierpont's, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory & the Science City Store. We found that Boston Science Museum (MOS) membership offers the most bang for our buck, so-to-speak. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. All who currently serve or have served in the U.S. Military receive a $3 discount on Museum Admission and a 10% discount on Dual through Family Plus memberships. The Providence Childrens Museum is also part of the ASTC. Discounted tickets to touring exhibitions. When she visits us in MA, we use the Durham pass to go to the Museum of Science in Boston. Membership at Space Center Houston is intended for noncommercial use by individuals. They also do not follow the 90 mile rule for most other participating museums in Massachusetts so we have found we can enjoy our pass at almost all of the places we love throughout our neighboring states, but mostly right here in Connecticut. Thanks for sharing your experience. and MORE! You may also get $tickets to the Omnisphere theater for $3 for adults and $2 for children. The US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, will grant free admission to one adult and up to two children free with membership to ASTC. If you are a member of a science center or museum participating in the ASTC Passport Program, you are eligible for benefits such as free general admission when you travel outside of your local area. Special programs and events are excluded. This membership costs $125, but during the week of Black Friday, they had a sale and it was only $62! These are our passions. Sustainers receive all the benefits of membership for up to 8 plus: Our Corporate Program offers various levels of engagement to fit your company. Thanks for the clarification! 9:30 The Indiana State Museum is though. We use it all the time. If anyone can comment with more information about other area museums, that would be great! BTW-We love the Ecotarium in Worcester, MA. This site uses cookies. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Wondering what museums are on the list? https://www.astc.org/find-a-science-center, https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/, 2 World-class Traveling Exhibit Guest Passes, 4 World-class Traveling Exhibit Guest Passes, 16 World-class Traveling Exhibit Guest Passes, Exclusive Invite to Behind the Scenes Tour of USKC, Exclusive Invite to Annual CEO Meet and Greet, Members-only invitations for exclusive offerings and events, Free admission to Science City for 12 months, ASTC Travel Passport Program with discounted admission to 300+ museums. What we have learned from our research and from talking to various museum directors is that you can get in free (or for the reduced rate) multiple times, with no limit. With your ASTC passport, two adults and up to four children can get into the attraction for a day of fun. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers. Our favorite three favorite reciprocals have been the ASTC, ACM, and AZA. 10% discount at all Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites . Free admission or discounts to science museums ASTC science museums (http://www.astc.org). If youve never been to a childrens museum and you have kids, you need to check one out. This has been one of our best purchases. The museum must be at least 90 miles AWAY from your home address. Field All-Access Pass and admission to four more top Chicago attractions at a 50% discount Chicago CityPASS $114 Out-of-State Adult Basic admission plus a 3D movie and all ticketed exhibitions All-Access Pass $42 Out-of-State Adult Basic admission plus a 3D movie or one of four ticketed exhibitions Discovery Pass $36 Out-of-State Adult The Kentucky Science Center in Louisville is free admission too. When you join your local ASTC science center, you'll get free entrance to your local science center for 1 year, and free or reduced (usually 50%) admission to around 300 other members of ASTC's reciprocity program, called the ASTC Travel Passport Program. The current annual price of the Montana membership is $60. This essentially means that if you have two ASTC-participating museums in your city and you belong to one of them, you cannot go to the other one for free. Members can gain free access to the exhibit gallery for up to four people. Thanks for de-mystifying the ACM reciprocal membership changes for everyone I know its going to be a bumpy ride come April 1st, but this post will surely help folks understand the changes. If you do decide to visit the Chicago museums, it's totally worth buying the $70 Indiana State Museum family membership. So it never hurts to call ahead to see if your membership will be accepted. h%yoe],8{dI:wZ33 UEqT2o-ny[T GWY-PV5=wJ]RNJ^*C*-hV1P}yYJMGPZ'IRi,CHPkW,}v=+%FGZG|uW4GS##'47ETC}O}4RF[}]iZ>jHWz?__~EG?3?/;37? If you have a friend that works at one of these museums, they might have a program where they can add people onto their own membership plan for a discount. endstream endobj startxref ASTCs Commitment to Diversity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Equity, ASTC Fellow Award for Outstanding Contribution, 2020 PIT Community Innovation Fellowship Program, Community Science Dialogue & Deliberation Fellowship Program, Thriving Earth Exchange Community Science Fellows Program, Accessibility Toolkit for Museum Digital Engagement, Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education, Sparks for Science, Community, and Equity, CCLI (Cultural Competence Learning Institute), Collaboration for Ongoing Visitor Experience Studies (COVES), Informal STEM Learning (ISL) Professional Framework, International Science Center and Science Museum Day, Diversity and Leadership Development Fellows Program, Dialogue & Deliberation Fellowship Program, Thriving Earth Exchange Fellowship Program, Public Interest Technology Community Innovation Fellowship Program, ASTC Passport Participant List, November 1, 2022-April 30, 2023, ASTC Passport Participant List,November 1, 2022-April 30, 2023. We saw some really amazing museums with that pass and passed many a rainy day. These programs are completely separate, although many museums in our state belong to both organizations. Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. Got any Momsense for us as we consider all this information? Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Birthdays at Science City are a blast of epic fun! Your membership is tax-deductible and, with it, you remain part of our historic family of supporters helping ensure our place in the community for years to come. The kids could spend days playing at these museums. Science City Summer Camp is wildly popular and fills to capacity each year! Certified Teacher Discounts We regularly use our reciprocal benefits as they offer ASTC & AZA. I could not get free admission to the Indiana State Museum because it was within 90 miles of my home address. ** Any special display areas with an additional charge in the museum you are visiting are excluded. Make sure you look for the acronyms ACM or ASTC or the word reciprocal when checking out the different levels of membership. For details, phone our Membership Office. The spirit of a Union Station membership is for the benefits to be used by the family members listed on the membership. If your organization is passionate about increasing understanding ofand engagement withscience and technology among all people, ASTC is the community for you and your team members. Out and About Mom is a blog providing Connecticut parents with fun and creative ideas for family-friendly outings. Sign up with your email address to receive our latest outing ideas and updates. We paid $109 for the day, but then we could get into other zoos for free or half price for the rest of the year. We apologize for any inconvenience. Core 2. Aside from that one museum, we typically plan trips with the intention of visiting museums and its always added value to our trips making wonderful memories. These are the cornerstones of our mission. The added benefit of visiting zoos is a real bonus for us. And guess what? Costco says the time to raise membership prices is 'about now,' but it won't just yet: 'We'll let you know'. EAA members can present the EAA Membership card to enjoy nearly 400 museum and science centers worldwide free of charge, thanks to a partnership with the Association of Science-Technology Centers and its ASTC Travel Passport Program. Preferred browsers: Google Chrome, FireFox, or Microsoft Edge. Military. AZA-AssociationofZoosandAquariums Free or half priced admission into nearly 100 different zoos and aquariums. However, you can only go to their general, and traveling exhibits are and the public simulators. Membership Visit an ASTC Passport Program venue today! For questions or assistance, please contact Membership Services at membership@visitmosac.org or call us at 916 674-5000. Whats the point of having a reciprical membership if you cant use it anywhere near enough to go to? Valid state-issued ID may be requested at the time of purchase. Any particular favorites? A Pacific Science Center membership allows you to visit any ASTC museum for free. The name of the ASTC reciprocal program is the Passport Program, which makes me think they are encouraging people to travel by offering reciprocity. Below you will find a few examples of the incredible opportunities that await your memberships with ASTC. Located in Oakland, California, this wonderful space and science center will awe your family while you learn and explore space for the day. [CDATA[ (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/97/1032023597.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-9fl4orvz7")); // ]]> There is also a less expensive option to purchase a membership without the ACM (Childrens Musuems) included in it. Our membership (premium level) also includes 2hrs of fee parking, bonus tickets to Omni, Planetarium and guest passes (more tickets for Premium level vs Basic level). Dont have time to check back in? They are located in River Grove, Illinois.