The 2006 Ben Stiller movie Night at the Museum sparked kids' interest in visiting museums and perhaps even staying overnight. New York City's American Museum of Natural History launched its A Night at the Museum sleepover program in 2007, and it's been so popular that available dates are frequently sold out. What are parents, teachers, scout leaders and other group field trip organizers to do? Easy! There are several New England museums that host educational and fun overnights, too.
The
Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, has a popular
OverKnight program that immerses visitors in the days of knights in shining armor. This parent-child sleepover adventure is ideal for kids who are studying Medieval history. Activities include a Medieval banquet, a shield workshop, a scavenger hunt and more. The museum can accommodate groups of up to 60 people, and each child is required to have an adult companion. Call 508-853-6015, ext. 20 for details and available dates.
Kids will be off on a merry adventure when you book a
Youth Group Sleepover at the
New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, Connecticut. The program, which features a menu of educational evening activities, is designed for groups of 50 to 75 children. However, if you have a smaller group of carousel enthusiasts, the museum hosts one night each month when small groups are combined to share an overnight outing. For information and to reserve your group's stay, call 860-585-5411.
Did you know that
Battleship Cove--a Massachusetts museum that is home to the world's largest collection of naval ships--has been hosting group overnights on a historic battleship since 1972? Scout groups especially enjoy these
Nautical Nights, which feature opportunities to explore the vast Battleship
Massachusetts and to learn about its workings. Kids get to have dinner, breakfast and lunch in the Officers' Wardroom and to learn new skills including knot tying and Morse Code. They also receive free admission to the Marine Museum. To begin planning your overnight camping adventure, call 508-678-1100.
On Friday and Saturday evenings year-round, the
Children's Museum of Portsmouth in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, hosts
overnight camping visits for scout troops, schools and other groups. The affordably priced program, which is available for groups of at least 30 people, features two art and science activities, a scavenger hunt, an evening snack and Continental breakfast. Kids will enjoy exploring the museum's interactive exhibits, which include a lobster boat and a space shuttle cockpit. To reserve your group's overnight visit, call 603-436-3853.
The Children's Museum in West Hartford, Connecticut, can accommodate groups of 2 to 130 for its overnight
Camp-In programs. Designed specifically for scout groups and available on Friday and Saturday nights from November through June, these Camp-Ins feature workshops, time to explore the museum, and a snack and a Science Dome show before bedtime, plus breakfast and more time to explore in the morning. For additional details and group reservations, call 860-231-2830, ext. 44.
Just outside of New England, the
New York State Museum in Albany offers two themed
Camp-In programs on Friday and Saturday nights for children in first through sixth grade. Choose from "Life in a Long House" or "Once Upon a Time in New York," and enjoy a full line-up of activities, plus an evening snack and breakfast in the morning. To reserve a nighttime adventure for your class, scout troop or other organization, call the museum at 518-402-5019.
