California Youth Groups
The Academy is proud to offer specially discounted rates for California-based groups serving youth. Spread the word to your science club, summer camp, youth program, and afterschool provider!
Youth Group Eligibility
To be eligible for Youth Group rates, your organization must:
- Be based in California
- Serve youth up to age 17, such as through a club, youth group, camp session, or afterschool/weekend program
- Provide at least 1 adult chaperone for every 8 minors
Be sure to read the information below before submitting the online application form for your youth group.
Admission Rates and Payment
Youth Group Ticket Prices
- Adults: $16.95
- Youth: $16.95
- 3 & Under: FREE
- Planetarium Seats: FREE
Payment
Payment must be received at least two weeks prior to your visit. Additional tickets may be purchased on the date of your visit, but will be done so at general admission rates. Note that cancellations must be made 30 days in advance of your visit to receive a full refund.
Plan a Visit
Visit Dates
Youth groups may apply for a visit on most weekdays and weekends excluding holidays and free days. Times are available for both morning and afternoon entry. Note that seats in a Planetarium show can be reserved for youth groups for all days except Sunday, assuming age-appropriateness for your group.
Guidelines
Be sure to read through the Guidelines for details on arriving at the museum, eating lunch, and finding other helpful services at the Academy. Share our expectations with both chaperones and youth attending the visit.
Directions
For more information about museum hours, directions, and parking, visit http://www.calacademy.org/visit/.
Activities & Resources
Rest assured that there is plenty to do at the Academy with your group!
Most activities require no reservations:
- Wander through any of our exhibits
- Engage with docents stationed throughout the museum
- Watch a daily program, such as the coral reef dive
- Touch ocean creatures in the Aquarium’s Discovery Tidepool
- Assign a worksheet from our lesson plan database
- Stop by the Naturalist Center
Reserved Planetarium Seats
Planetarium shows are free, but advance reservations are required for youth groups, and chaperones must attend. Note that children must be at least age 7 to visit the Planetarium, and that some shows are grade-appropriate.
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A Tour of Our Solar System Become virtual space travelers and explore the solar system. Find out what a planet is, get a close-up view of the planets in our solar system, and examine features that they have in common, as well as those that make each planet unique. Youth groups will begin entering the Planetarium dome 15 minutes prior to show time. The show lasts approximately 40 minutes. |
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Our Solar System and Beyond Follow our spacecraft to explore the solar system and discover our place in the Milky Way. Learn how we use light to study distant objects, such as planets, stars, and galaxies,and glimpse the mind-boggling size of our incredible Universe! Youth groups will begin entering the Planetarium dome 15 minutes prior to show time. The show lasts approximately 40 minutes. |
Digital recreation of the 1906 earthquake (Academy Visualization Studio)
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Earthquake Limited seating is available for both middle school and high school groups at the 11:30 am public show of our current production, but advance reservations are required. Note that this show is designed for and shown to general visitors on the day of your field trip, and is not tailored for student groups. Groups with youth aged 7-17 may also choose to reserve seats for the 3:30 pm show on Mondays through Fridays, or for the 10:30 am show on Saturdays. Youth groups will begin entering the Planetarium dome 15 minutes prior to show time. The show lasts approximately 40 minutes. |
Other Group Options
Not eligible for Youth Group rates? Check out some other group options:
- California-based school groups of students in grades pre-K through 12 may apply here for a visit at heavily discounted field trip rates.
- Tour groups of less than 10 individuals may book Academy Tours by calling 888-670-4433 or purchasing tickets online.
Field Trip 101
Prepare your group for a successful visit by watching this video. Learn about the bus drop-zone, building navigation, and important Academy guidelines.
Apply ForA Visit |
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To bring your youth group to the Academy, simply submit this brief online application.
Essential Printables |
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Here you’ll find convenient resources to print before your trip.
School & Youth Group Admission Form [49kb]
Chaperone Guide (English) [697kb]
Chaperone Guide (Chinese) [930kb]
Chaperone Guide (Spanish) [700kb]
Making the Perfect Museum Worksheet [38kb]
To find an activity or scavenger hunt with a focused learning objective, browse through our Lesson Plan Database.
Tour Exhibits Using |
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The “Academy Insider” iPhone app includes museum floor plans, self-guided tours, and a live list of daily programs. Learn more about Academy exhibits through fun facts, quizzes, video, and audio clips. You can even create a customized tour!
Earthquake |
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Brace yourself for a kinetic journey into the world of seismic phenomena when the new Earthquake exhibit and planetarium show opens on May 26.
Essay and Art Contest |
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Share your wonder of and desire to protect oceans by entering our student essay and art contest, Blue Planet: Our Oceans. Learn more
See What's Inside |
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For a sneak peek into what’s inside the Academy, watch this video. Right-click to view at full screen.
School Field Trips |
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Field trip reservations are available for formal California school groups of students in grades pre-K through 12, including preschool, at heavily discounted rates.
Click here to apply!
Contact Us |
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If you would like to speak to someone in person to determine the best options for your group, please call our Contact Center at (877) 227-3311.
However, do note that your official request must be submitted via our online application form.
