Older Adults Field Trips: A Museum Journey for Seniors
Book a field trip at your site
The Neon Museum invites older adults to engage with the city’s vibrant past through tailored field trip experiences at our iconic Neon Boneyard. Each program blends nostalgia, discovery, and meaningful interaction—perfect for senior centers, retirement communities, and memory care groups.
REQUEST A FIELD TRIP
Please email programs@neonmuseum.org with any questions or concerns.
KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK
Group Size
- Maximum: 25 older adults per field trip session
- Larger groups may book multiple sessions on the same date or various dates.
Chaperone Policy
- We require 1 chaperone for every 10 older adult participants.
- Additional chaperones beyond this ratio will be charged $10 per person, to be paid in advance of the field trip.
- Unapproved or unpaid additional adults will result in a $20 fee per person, charged to the group. To request additional chaperones, email us at: programs@neonmuseum.org
- Exceptions may be made for individuals who require 1:1 assistance—please contact us ahead of time to make those arrangements.
*If you would like to bring more than the maximum number of participants and chaperones, please email us directly at programs@neonmuseum.org to discuss options for you and your group.
Scheduling & Dates
During the CCSD School Year (August 11th, 2025 – May 26th, 2026)
Available Mondays only
- 9:00 – 10:00 AM
- 10:15 – 11:15 AM
- 11:30 – 12:15 PM
Summer Sessions (May 23rd, 2025 – August 10th, 2025)
Available weekdays only
- 7:30 – 8:30 AM
- 8:45 – 9:45 AM
Weather Policy
The Neon Boneyard is outdoors and uncovered. Please check the weather before visiting and encourage the group to wear appropriate clothing. Please encourage participants to bring water, hats, sunglasses, etc. to ensure their comfort during the heat and to wear warm clothing in the winter months.
During field trips, we follow the Museum’s inclement weather policy as follows:
Inclement Weather Warning
As the Neon Boneyard is an outdoor collection, all scheduled trips are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather; however, we rarely cancel for rain, except in cases of thunder and lightning following safety protocols due to the metal nature of the collection.
If temperatures reach 105°F or higher, the trip will be moved indoors for the safety of visitors and staff. In cases of inclement weather, the field trip will be moved into our lobby and completed through a 3D tour.
We follow the guidelines that are in place when the museum is open to the public for morning field trips.
If a trip is cancelled, we will attempt to place you on the next available trip wherever possible or provide a full refund.
PRICING
Field Trip Pricing
For Public Entities
(Nonprofits, government-run community centers, and other publicly funded programs)
- Cost: No charge
The Neon Museum covers all fees for publicly funded older adult groups. In return, we ask that your group complete a short post-visit survey. This feedback helps us improve our programs and serves as a form of exchange for the experience.
For Private Groups
(Private living centers, retirement communities, health systems, etc.)
- Cost: $250 per hour
Cancellation & No-Show Policy
Groups that do not cancel at least 24 hours in advance will not be refunded.
Unregistered or Unpaid Adults
- Any unregistered or unpaid adults who arrive with the group will result in a $20 fee per person, charged to the group.
REQUIRED FORMS
Chaperones Agreement Form
All attending chaperones must email a signed agreement document before their field trip date to programs@neonmuseum.org. This document outlines our expectations in the lead-up to your scheduled session.
Release Forms
All attending individuals must bring a signed release form document to their field trip, including volunteers, older adult participants, and all chaperones.
All attending individuals (chaperones and the participants of the trip) must bring a signed copy of the release form.
We encourage you to have all individuals attending the trip to sign this document before arriving at the Museum as the group will have more time to enjoy the Neon Boneyard. Many groups pass out the forms in transit to the Museum.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between an off-site field trip and an on-site field trip?
An on-site field trip takes place at The Neon Museum, where participants explore the historic sign collection in person, guided by museum staff with optional activities available. An off-site field trip brings a museum-led experience to your location, offering interactive presentations and materials tailored to your group. Both options are designed to engage older adults but differ in setting and level of physical immersion.
Can my group book a field trip during night time hours?
We do not offer field trips during nighttime hours. Field trips are scheduled when the museum is closed to the public. As a result, we are unable to accommodate field trips during our regular operating hours, including afternoon field trips.
During the CCSD school year, from August 11, 2025 to May 26, 2026, field trips are available on Mondays only at the following times: 9:00 to 10:00 AM, 10:15 to 11:15 AM, and 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM.
During summer sessions, from May 23 to August 10, 2025, field trips are available on weekdays only at either 7:30 to 8:30 AM or 8:45 to 9:45 AM.
If you’re interested in scheduling a nighttime tour during the Museum’s public hours, you can book a group of up to 15 participants through our Group Sales team. Please visit https://neonmuseum.org/group-sales/ to get started.
How many chaperones can I bring?
For older adult field trips, we ask for a ratio of 1 chaperone for every 10 participants. For groups under 20, you may bring up to 2 chaperones total at no cost.
If your group requires additional support—such as 1:1 assistance or caregiver accompaniment—please let us know in advance. Any chaperones beyond the required ratio must be approved by the Museum and will be charged a $10 fee, which must be paid before your visit. Unapproved or unpaid additional adults will result in a $20 fee per person, charged to the group. To request additional chaperones, email us at: programs@neonmuseum.org
Can my group have lunch at the Museum after our visit?
Field trips are scheduled when the museum is closed to the public. As a result, we are unable to host groups for an extended stay to eat lunch at the Museum. There is a city owned park across the street from the Museum that groups are welcome to use for snacks and lunch following their field trip, however, museum staff will not be on site to assist once the field trip has ended.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that some field trips may be booked months in advance. Throughout the year, we send reminder emails to confirm your trip. If you need to cancel, please provide at least two weeks’ notice so we can offer the opportunity to another older adult group or to a CCSD school on our waitlist.
Can I book an off-site tour in addition to an on-site field trip?
Yes, we encourage groups to book both on-site and off-site field trips when possible. Offering both options allows us to better serve all older adults, including those who may face mobility challenges or health concerns that prevent them from visiting the Museum in person. To book an off-site virtual tour, visit the following link
Is the gift shop open during my field trip?
Unfortunately, the gift shop is not open during field trips.
I have another question that is not answered here.
We are happy to help, please contact programs@neonmuseum.org