Park Voyagers

At Park Voyagers, we invite families to participate in a unique learning experience. Children and families from Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods are provided a wide spectrum of informal, hands-on educational opportunities in settings as comfortable as they are inspiring.* The program culminates with passes to all 10 Museums In the Park for each participating family. In the end, families are equipped and eager to make Chicago museums an ongoing part of their lives.

* All participating parks have beautiful field houses with heat, indoor plumbing, lights etc., so you don’t have to worry about being left out in the rain.

How does the program work?

Participating parks will have the program for a semester. For the program schedule, click here.

The After-School Program

Who can attend? Children 8-10 years old

When? Three days a week for 5 weeks

For 5 weeks, representatives from one of the 10 museums come directly to neighborhood parks to conduct a series of hands-on lessons relating to the specific content of that museum. Children will be inspired by the museum’s treasures to create something right in their own backyards.

The Family Workshop Program

Who can attend? Children and teens, as well as their parents or guardians.

When? Three days during the remaining part of the semester

At each of the chosen parks, a museum conducts two family workshops to help parents use museums as educational and recreational outlets. The host park provides dinner, creating a fun and relaxing environment. Families will also visit the partnering museum. For the final project, participants will create their own family exhibition to be displayed at the park for an evening.

After completing the program, families will receive a quarterly newsletter, providing information about special museum programs and exhibits. In addition, families that have successfully completed the program will receive passes to each of the 10 museums.

Phase III: Family Matters (until December 2010)

Who can attend? Kids, parents or guardians who have completed Phase II of the Park Voyagers program

When? Once a month

Where? One of the 10 participating museums

Each month, one museum will host a special Park Voyagers event, with family-oriented activities, special presentations and performances.

For event schedule, click here

Phase IV: Be Our Guest (until December 2010)
Families that have successfully completed Phase III receive passes good for free admission for an entire year to all of the participating museums—the more you use them, the more they are worth.