Field Trips (Day visits)

Tours and programs are free for organized student and youth groups with adult leaders or faculty sponsors, but advance reservations are required. See below for more information about who qualifies and what activities are available. We strongly recommend making reservation requests at least 2 weeks in advance to ensure sufficient time to process and confirm your request. Please email gro.y1749070246rotav1749070246resbo1749070246bg@ti1749070246siv1749070246 or call 304-456-2150 during open hours. All requests are subject to availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Green Bank Observatory Science Center is open to all public! However, we do offer special rates and activities for educational groups, which can include:

  • Organized school groups with adult chaperones
  • Organized groups of university or college students
  • Church youth groups with adult chaperones
  • Homeschool associations or clubs with adult chaperones
  • Scout, 4-H, Civil Air Patrol, and other after-school clubs or groups
  • Camp groups from other organizations or museums

Tours are free for all students, faculty, and staff; parent chaperones are also welcome up to a limit of one adult for every four students. For example, if you bring 20 students for a tour, we will include five complementary adult tickets; if you have additional adults beyond that limit, all parents are asked to purchase a reduced-rate chaperone ticket upon arrival.

Additional activities are also available for groups with 10 students or more and are subject to staff availability. Feel free to let us know what astronomy topics you are interested in or what your students are studying when you make your reservation request; just email us at gro.y1749070246rotav1749070246resbo1749070246bg@ti1749070246siv1749070246. We are happy to help you plan your trip!

You can take a field trip the Green Bank Observatory any time of the year! We suggest staying at least two hours in order to visit the exhibit hall, gift shop, and take a tour. If you’d like to do other activities or eat onsite, please allow for more time.

May is our busiest field trip season, so if you are interested in a May visit, we encourage you to get a date on the calendar early in the year to increase likelihood of availability.

Any groups of 10 or more who are just visiting for the day are eligible to order from our group rate menu. Options include a pizza party, boxed lunches, or a soup and/or sandwich buffet. If you are interested in this option, please ask for pricing and ordering details when you make your reservation. 2 week notice required.

We are also happy to provide indoor space for students to eat packed lunches. Please just let us know your needs. Outdoor tables are also available as weather permits.

Our educators get busy during field trip season, so get your requests in as early as possible!

Use the Green Bank Observatory Reservation System (GBORS) to request a reservation. Make sure to select “Science Center & Educational Activities” when creating your request.