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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long is a typical field trip?
A: Typically groups will stay for about 2 and 1/2 hours. During this time they can explore ECHO's exhibits and attend activities and demonstrations that happen throughout the day.

Q: What is the recommended adult-to-child ratio?
A: We recommend one adult chaperone for each five children.

Q: Do students or teachers with an ECHO Membership get in free for a field trip?
A: No, groups are not part of general admission to ECHO and require more resources from our Staff. Memberships may not be combined with group admission and are not considered part of any group reservation.
 
Q: How does the lunch break work?
A: If you bring a bag lunch your group will arrange a lunch time and location with our Front Desk. It is also possible to arrange group lunch packages with our Think! Café.

Q: Where do buses and cars park? Is there a fee?
A: Free bus parking is located at the Coast Guard Station at the north end of Lake Street. Chaperones may park in ECHO's lot (behind the building) at a half price discount of $4 per vehicle.

Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: Groups must cancel at least 24 hours in advance of their scheduled arrival time. IF YOU DO NOT CALL US TO CANCEL AND RECEIVE CONFIRMATION OF CANCELLATION FROM ECHO, WE WILL CHARGE A $100 NO-SHOW FEE.

Q: How long are the Teacher's Choice programs?
A: Teacher's Choice programs are led by ECHO's Education staff and run 30 or 60 minutes each. Some offer both lengths to expand content to varying age groups.

Q: What is the typical number of Teacher's Choice programs for a field trip?
A:  Groups of up to 25 students typically select one or two 30 and/or 60 minute programs. Large groups can select two 30 minute programs and rotate students through both in a "station rotation" format coupled with an ECHO Inquiry Trek, or select a 60 minute program that repeats for more than one session.

Q: Does ECHO have any scavenger hunts or other self-guided activities?
A:  Yes. ECHO has two "treks" or exhibit exploration experiences. E-C-H-O Treks are available online for self-guided groups to download, print and copy prior to arrival. E-C-H-O Treks are divided into our Ecology, Culture, History and Opportunity for stewardship themes in three grade ranges, (grades 2-4, 4-6, and 6-8). They include fill-in-the-blank, estimation, sketching, matching, and short answer responses. ECHO also offers ECHO Inquiry Treks to combine with our Teacher's Choice programs. Laminated cards for each of ECHO's main exhibit regions provide chaperones with question prompts that drive discussion within small groups. Possible student answers and maps of the exhibit locations are provided.

Q: Can we go to a live animal program?
A: Yes. They are offered at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Q: What are the Teacher's Choice programs that broadly cover information about the Lake Champlain Basin?
A: The programs that cover broad information about the Lake Champlain Basin and ECHO's themes include Lake Champlain in a Bag, Voices for the Lake, ECHO Jeopardy, and Rock and Roll Geology.

Q: What is the maximum number of students per program?
A: The maximum is 25 students per program.

Q: Are there pre/post field trip activities or resources you can recommend for my classroom?
A: Yes, but not all great ideas are available on our website. Call ECHO for more specific resources on your particular content area. Some activities are more relevant and successful depending on where you are in your unit?

Q: My students are doing research. Does ECHO have a library or resource room?
A: Yes. ECHO is part of the Leahy Center Campus that includes our top floor partner, the Lake Champlain Basin Science Center Resource Center — a staffed library, computer research lab, video archive, and artifact exploration space with maps, charts, photography, posters, and a unique library of children's fiction and non-fiction books related to the Lake's ecology, culture, history, and stewardship action partners in the region.

Contact Us

If your question wasn't answered above, please complete the form below, and a representative from our Education or Group Sales department will contact you soon. We look forward to making your field trip to ECHO the best experience possible!