A group of kids looks at wolves inside a diorama at the Bell Museum with text: 150 years

Summer Youth Groups

Summer Youth Groups resume June 14, 2022

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Group Sales team at BellGroups@umn.edu.
 

We’d love to host your group at the Bell to our state-of-the-art planetarium, world renowned wildlife dioramas and exhibitions.

Group Experiences

The following youth group experience options can be arranged individually or in combination.

To inquire about summer booking on-site at the Bell, please complete the form here and we will be in touch.

Please note: We have updated our submission form. If you have previously requested group reservation, we ask that you submit once more using the new form. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you!

Minnesota Journeys Galleries

Take your group on a journey through space and time in our Minnesota Journeys gallery. Groups will explore the museum gallery space, including the Touch & See lab and Nova galleries. Soar into space exploration and the diversity of life, learning about topics such as astronomy, geology, and biology, and current research being done at the University of Minnesota. Enhance your visit by using our chaperone packs with science tools and exploration guides.
 
The hands-on learning continues outside in our sustainable Learning Landscape with native plants, gardens, a pond, a weather station, beehive, an upstairs observation deck and other highlights.
 
Schedule: Tuesday–Friday at 10:10–11:20 am and Tuesday–Friday at 1:10–2:20 pm
Group limit: 60 children

Planetarium Shows

Groups are welcome to reserve seats for a show in the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium. The planetarium has theater-style seating for up to 120 people.

Schedule: 9:30–10:05 – The Zula Patrol (ages 4–8) available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays OR Minnesota Night Skies (ages 8+) available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
Group limit: 60 children

Museum & Planetarium Combo

Groups interested in the exhibit galleries & a planetarium show may choose from either a morning or afternoon visit.

AM Combo Schedule

9:30–10:05: The Zula Patrol (ages 4–8) available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays OR Minnesota Night Skies (ages 8+) available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
10:10–11:20: Minnesota Journeys exhibit galleries

Group limit: 60 children

Summer Youth Group Pricing

Youth:

  • $10 combo admission
  • $7 museum admission
  • $4 planetarium tickets

Adult chaperones:

  • $15 combo admission
  • $10 museum admission
  • $6 planetarium ticket

Policies and FAQ

Accessibility
We are committed to access for all audiences. If you have any special accommodations needed, please contact us at bellgroups@umn.edu or 612-624-4957.

Lunches
The Bell Museum cannot accommodate any on-site lunches during the summer months. Groups will need to eat at their site or plan to visit one of the nearby parks for lunch. Ask our staff for park recommendations.

Final Headcount
Please be advised that due to staffing and a fixed number of seats in the planetarium, groups will need to have a confirmed headcount three weeks before their visit date. We cannot accommodate groups that show up with more children than registered.

Booking & Payment
Visits must be booked at least three weeks in advance. The minimum size for discounted group rates is 15 people. Reservations must be paid prior to arrival to the museum. Payment should be in the form of a single check or credit card payment. We do not accept purchasing orders.

Cancellations
There is a one-time option to reschedule, dependent on availability. Groups that cancel visits less than three weeks before their visit will be billed at the following rates: 50 percent of the total cost for less than two–three weeks’ notice; 100 percent of the total cost for less than one week’s notice.

Special Group Entrance
Buses are welcome to use the dedicated Schultz Education Entrance located on the east side of the building on Cleveland Avenue. The Roger E. Anderson Education Wing is just inside the doors, where your students will start their experience after a brief orientation from our staff. After drop off buses can park here. 

Chaperones
Check out our special guide for summer youth group chaperones.