Review tips for the day of your trip and student expectations so that we can ensure a safe and fun day for all!

Day of your Trip

  • Check road conditions and weather before you set out, and remember to budget time for a restroom break into your plans so that the students are ready to start class on time.
  • Arrive at least 10-15 minutes before your class is to begin.
  • NEW! Education staff will be waiting to meet you in the parking lot outside of the visitor center at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your first class. If you arrive and are not greeted by education staff, send one chaperone or adult to check-in with Visitor Center front desk while your students are unloading and they will notify education staff to come greet your group outside.
  • If bringing a large group, be sure to pre-determine smaller groups ahead of time and have chaperones divide students into smaller groups while you check in with the education staff.
  • We are only able to accept check or purchase order payable to the "HMSC Sea Grant" on the day of your trip. You can pay via credit card through your online account anytime before or after your trip.
  • If your group arrives 20 minutes late, the class will be forfeited, and a “No Show” fee of $75 will be applied.
  • We do not have dining facilities, vending machines, or indoor/covered locations for lunch breaks. Please plan accordingly.

General Health and Safety Policies and Expectations

  • Face coverings and masks are welcome, but not required. We fully support participants and staff may choose to wear a face covering as a personal preference. 
  • Educators and participants will be encouraged to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60-95%) often and will be required to wash their hands prior to eating lunch. 
  • Prior to leaving your home location:
    • We ask that you conduct a health check of all program participants (adults and children) for symptoms indicative of any illness prior to joining us for your programming. 
    • If any participants are experiencing any of the following symptoms, we kindly ask that the participant does not participate in the in-person event:
      • Cough
      • Fever (over 100.4°F)
      • Chills
      • Muscle pain
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • Sore throat
      • Nausea
  • If a participant or staff member exhibits or develops a new cough (e.g., unrelated to pre-existing conditions such as asthma), fever, shortness of breath or other primary symptoms of COVID-19 during the day/class session, they will be separated from others and sent home as soon as possible.
  • If you need to cancel your reservation for health and safety reasons, please contact the Marine Education Coordinator ([email protected]; 541-867-0233) as soon as possible and we would be happy to work to reschedule your trip. 

Student Behavior Expectations

  • Stay with your group and chaperones
  • Be courteous and respectful of all visitors and staff
  • Use indoor voices; walk, don’t run
  • Be respectful of the exhibits and the buildings
  • Don’t climb or pound on exhibits
  • Where permitted, touch the animals gently
  • Do not pick up or move the animals in the touch tanks
  • Keep food, drinks and gum out of the buildings
  • Wash hands frequently

Download Chaperone Guidelines (English) (Spanish - coming soon!)