EducationalGroup

Toolkit2016 - 2017

SCHOOL GROUP RATES Offering deep discounts to School Groups!*

Ripley’s Aquarium:1110 Celebrity Circle

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Preschool/Pre-K$3.50Kindergarten through 12th Grade$7.00

Hours of Operation:Opens Daily at 9amClosing Hours change seasonally

Ripley’s Boulevard Attractions:901 N. Ocean BoulevardMyrtle Beach, SC 29577

Including the Believe It Or Not Museum, Mirror Maze, 5-D Moving Theater and Haunted

Adventure

Preschool/Pre-K:$4.50Kindergarten through 12th Grade$6.50

Hours of Operation:Opening and Closing Hours change seasonally and differ by attraction

All AttractionsTeachersAlways Free!

Parent ChaperonesPreschool/Pre-K: One FREE per every 10 students

Kindergarten-12th Grade: One FREE per every 15 students

Additional Chaperones$7.00

*Education Group prices are tax inclusive.

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Guide Books $2.16Purchase a guide book for each group leader or for each student to get the most out of your aquarium visit! Interesting facts on

each exhibit and fun activities make this a must for your field trip!

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• All groups must submit a signed reservation confirmation prior to arrival.• All groups must be paid in full prior to gaining entry into the building• All payments must be made in one lump sum using credit card, cash or check.• Purchase orders are not accepted and should not be sent in or brought with the

group. Admission will not be granted with a purchase order.• Refunds must be within $30 in order to receive cash back that same day. If

cash is due back to your group over the amount of $30, a refund check must be issued and sent to the billing address on file for the group. We cannot refund your money over the amount of $30, even if you intend to spend that money here at the Aquarium.

• Pre-payment can be made using a credit card over the phone or by completing the Credit Card Authorization form, which can be faxed to the attention of the Education Programming Coordinator at (843) 916-0752. If pre-paying by check, fax a copy of the check to the Education Programming Coordinator prior to putting it in the mail, and give ample time to ensure that the check will arrive before the group. Please include the reservation number with the check. You must provide another form of payment in the event that a mailed check does not arrive in time.

• The final headcount for your group can be adjusted at the door, including the addition of chaperones. If additional parties have joined the group, you are still expected to pay in one lump sum.

• Class: If your group has scheduled a class with us, you may change the head count at the door. All students and chaperones are required to pay to attend the class. Teacher admission into classes is free; chaperones attending the class must pay. Teachers are required to remain with the group during classes. However, we reserve the right to deny chaperones entry into classes based on factors such as group size. Failure to arrive on time for a program can result in it being canceled. In this situation, the group will be responsible to pay the amount stated on the invoice.

• Lunches: If your group has scheduled a lunch with us, you will be required to pay for the entire amount indicated on the final invoice sent to you by the Education Programming Coordinator. No changes to this number can be made at the door.

Splash into one of our hands on educational opportunities!Interactive Programs are 30-45 minutes long unless otherwise noted.

Interactive Education ProgramsNote: All class prices are in addition to admission costs.

Behind the Scenes ToursLearn what it takes to run a 1.4 million gallon Aquarium. Join one of our educators for a

30-45 minute tour that includes our animal care, food preparation and life support areas.Age Group: 3rd through 12th Grade

Cost: $3.50

Investigative Labs: perch, squid or shark dissectionsTake a look inside a perch, squid or even shark to learn more about how they survive and are adapted for life in the ocean. Offered as a hands-on dissection or as a demonstration.

Age Group: 3rd through 12th GradeHands-on: $3 per person

Demonstration: $2 per person

Educational Presentations are 30 minutes long and are subject to availability based on space and scheduling capabilities.

Educational PresentationsTotally Turtles

Did you know that five of the seven sea turtles found throughout the world can be found right off the South Carolina coast? Discover the feeding and nesting habits of these beautiful creatures while learning what can be

done to help protect and conserve them.Age Group: All Ages

Cost: $1.25 per person

Shark SquadStudents will learn fascinating facts about some of the diverse groups of sharks that live in the ocean. They

will leave with an understanding of the important part that sharks play in our oceans’ ecosystems and why it is important to protect them.

Age Group: All AgesCost: $1.25 per person

Jammin’ with JelliesUncover the secrets of this mysterious creature! We will discuss the life and behavior of jellyfish as well as

other animals in the phylum cnidaria. Discover how these unusual animals eat, how they defend themselves and whether they are truly immortal.

Age Group: All AgesCost: $1.25 per person

Wiggles, Jiggles and Giggles Under the SeaDance like a dolphin and fly like a ray as we explore the wonderful world of sea creatures through movement and

music. Students will learn how different underwater creatures make their way through the ocean.Age Group: PreschoolCost: $1.25 per person

Above or Below, Where do Animals Go?Wherever plants and animals live they have to adapt to their environment. Students will explore various habitats

to discover the relationship between animals and their environments.Age Group: Kindergarten through 2nd Grade

Cost: $1.25 per person

Educational Presentations are 30 minutes long and are subject to availability based on space and scheduling capabilities.

Educational Presentations

Feeling FishyWhat is life like as a fish? The answer is quite surprising! All fish live very different lives based on their structural adaptations. Learn how form and function affect life for our fishy friends! Your students will also create their own new species of fish to take home with them!

Age Group: 3rd through 5th GradeCost: $1.25 per person

Beach Creature BingoLearn all about the various creatures you can find along the South Carolina coast! Your students will play an interactive game of Bingo while viewing and touching artifacts of

actual beach creatures!Age Group: Preschool through 5th Grade

Cost:$1.25 per person

Bring Ripley’s to your school!

Investigative Dissections - Perch, Squid or Shark Dissection

Let’s dive inside a marine animal - right at your students’ desks! We will bring perch, squid or for a hands-on dissection!

Animal Fee Applies.

Beach CreaturesStudents will learn about the fascinating sea creatures they may encounter while walking along the beach. From sea snails to sharks, you will discover an exciting world of marine life through animal artifacts, or invite live sharks, conchs, crabs and other critters to

swim and crawl right in your students’ hands!

First Class $100Second Class $75Live Animals $50 per classMileage fees Does not apply for schools within 25 miles $25 for 25-50 miles $50 for 50-100 miles

Can’t make it to the Aquarium?Let us come to you!

School Lunches

Policy on School Lunches

Forget the hassle of lugging around bagged lunches—let us make lunch easy for you and your students! We will prepare a cafeteria style meal for you and your students to enjoy away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. You and your students can choose from the following options:

Group Photos are available to school groups at a discounted rate!Send in the order sheet to the Education Programming Coordinator before your field trip to get an even better deal: One FREE photo for every 5 pre-ordered!

6x8 Class Photo: $7 PLUS 1 free for every 5 that have been pre-ordered!

Lunch orders are due in our office, in writing, one week prior to your arrival date. Any changes not made one week ahead of time will be your financial responsibility. If lunch orders are not received one week in advance, our chef reserves the right to choose for your group.

Our space for school lunches typically can contain up to 125 people at a time. Throughout the year there may be times when the room will not be able to hold as many as 125 people. We will work with your group to schedule you so that as many people in your group as possible will eat at the same time. Small groups may be combined with other groups.

Each group will be allotted 30 minutes to get their food, eat and clean up their trash. Small school groups may be booked at the same time as other small school groups.

No outside food or drinks will be permitted.

Hot DogSlice of Cheese Pizza

5-piece Chicken NuggetsComes with chips, cookies and drink

*Chips can be substituted for Applesauce.

$5.00

FINtastic Photos!

RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM is pleased to offer you and your students the opportunity to capture the excitement of your aquarium visit with a 6 x 8 class photo for only $7.00 per copy! With five pre-paid photo orders, the teacher’s copy will be complimentary. Please complete this form and have your payment ready when you arrive at Fintastic Photos. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your student’s educational experience!!

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Sleep with the Sharks!Enjoy an educational overnight at the Aquarium with your students!

Cost: $60 per person (tax inclusive)Deposit of $450 required to reserve your evening on

15 person minimum, 150 person maximum

• 8:00 pm Check-in• Welcome and Introduction• Scavenger Hunt• Guided Tour• Snack• Fun Aquarium Themed Game Additional Options for during the evening: Shark Dissection for an additional $3 per person; Behind the Scenes Tour for an additional $6.99 per person• Shark Tank Talk• Set camp up in tunnel and go to sleep

• Rise and Shine• Breakfast: Cereal and mini muffins• 7:45 am Depart and hope to see you again! Additional Options for 8:00am: Stingray Experiences for an additional $30 per person, allowing about 20 minutes in the tank with the rays while a diver feeds them near you!

Stingray Experience

Get up close and personal with the stingrays in Friendship Flats during this 20 minute hands-on learning experience!

Discounted pricing offered to school groups Monday through Friday, September through May. Also available the morning after any Sleep with the Sharks program.

Group size may limit availability.

Stingray Experience - $30Includes 20 minutes in the water while a diver feeds the stingrays and provides more

information on these gentle ocean dwellers.

Stingray Experience Plus - $40Includes everything from the Stingray Experience, plus additional time in the tank to snorkel

and sightsee in the deep end of Ray Bay.

Sample Schedule

Chaperone GuideTips for Being a Great Chaperone

• You are the leader of your small group of students. You will lead your group on their trip through the Aquarium Be sure you know which students are in your group and keep them together. Ripley’s Aquarium can be very busy, and it can sometimes be hard to keep your students together. Before you start your adventure, set up a gathering point in the event that you become separated.

• Help your students learn. Ask the teacher about the educational goals for the field trip. Find out if the students have a special project or worksheet to complete, such as the Scavenger Hunt.

• YOU determine the behavior of your group. Make sure your group knows and understand the Aquarium rules: Students must stay with their chaperones. No food, drinks, or gum is allowed near the exhibits. Running, shouting, or smoking is not allowed anywhere in the Aquarium. Tapping on the acrylic of the exhibits is not permitted to protect the animals. Any undisciplined or unchaperoned groups may be asked to leave the Aquarium.

• Know important locations. Refer to the dive show schedule or guidebook (if purchased). This map will enable you to locate the restrooms, exhibits, and other points of interest within the aquarium.

Teaching Tips for Chaperones

• Ask thought-provoking questions. Stop at uncrowded exhibits and ask your students to compare the different animals. Look closely at mouths, fins, tails and body shapes. Observe how fish behave. How do they swim, eat or protect themselves? Finding correct answers is not as important as having students think creatively about the questions.

• Guess where some of the animals got their common names. Why is it called a horseshoe crab? Butterfly fish? Powder Puff Anemone? Use the exhibit displays and guide book (if purchased) as resources.

• Be sure to involve ALL students in your group. Wait for answers. Don’t worry if some students take a longer time than others to answer questions. Give them all a chance to answer.

• Use the Exhibit Educators. Exhibit Educators are located at many of the exhibits. They are there to help your students learn about the animals of Ripley’s Aquarium. They will be happy to answer your students’ questions, point out interesting features on the animals and help the students handle the animal safely.

• Have fun! If you have fun, the rest of your group will, too! This will contribute to the overall success of your trip.

Ripley’s Aquarium invites a wide variety of guests, of all ages, into our aquarium for a hands-on, interactive experience to discover the aquatic world and how to conserve it. To make your visit as meaningful and fun as possible, please review the following rules with your students and chaperones before your field trip to the aquarium.

StudentsWe agree to the following:• We will stay with our chaperones at all times!• We will listen to our chaperones and Ripley’s staff members and follow any directions given.• We will share the aquarium with other students, schools, and guests by being courteous and respectful.• We will not use loud voices, run, chew gum or eat or drink near the exhibits. This is for the comfort of other students, schools

and guests in the building as well as for the comfort of our animals.• We will respect all living things in the aquarium, especially the animals. We will not be rough with touch tank animals,

attempt to scare any animals, or tap on the tanks.• We will use the stairs, ramps and elevator and will not play on them. We will reserve the use of the elevator for guests that

have difficulty traveling through the aquarium otherwise.• We understand that any person who breaks an item in the Aquarium’s Cargo Hold Gift Shop will be required to pay for that item.

ChaperonesWe agree to the following:• We understand that our top priority is to manage our group of children in order to keep them and the animals safe and help them

to learn.• We understand that talking or texting on cell phones or otherwise distracting behavior interrupts the learning environment in

classroom programs or on tours, as well as distracts our own attention from our group while exploring the aquarium.• We understand that we are responsible for assisting students during meal times and bathroom breaks, as well as other needs that

may arise, and will ensure that all students clean up after themselves.• We will do our best to ensure that no student is left alone in any situation.

Lead/Coordinating TeachersI have read the Behavior Agreement to my group prior to our field trip to the aquarium and accept responsibility for their behavior in the aquarium. I understand that if these behavior guidelines are not followed, my group will first be given a warning. If my group continues to break the behavior agreement, I understand that we will be asked to leave the aquarium. I understand that my group will not be refunded any money if asked to leave. I am also aware that my administrator will be contacted.

Signature: ________________________________________________________

Scavenger Hunt1. Which shark is the smallest member of

the hammerhead family?a. Scalloped Hammerheadb. Bonnetheadc. Leopard Sharkd. Bamboo Shark

2. Sandbar sharks are a species that is officially considered: a. Overfishedb. Stablec. Extinctd. Dangerous to humans

3. What is the main diet of a poison dart frog?a. Small fishb. Other frogsc. Antsd. Earthworms

4. Which species at the aquarium is now and invasive species in Florida, Texas and Hawaii?a. Green Sea Turtlesb. Iguanasc. Sand tiger Sharksd. Dwarf Caimans

5. What species at the aquarium is closely related to spiders, ticks and scorpions?a. Horseshoe Crabsb. Lobstersc. Giant Pacific Octopusd. Sea Stars

6. An octopus can fit into spaces:a. 1/10th of their sizeb. The size of one armc. About a foot wided. The size of a barrel

7. How many turtle hatchlings will survive in order to return to the beach to nest?a. 1 in every 50b. 1 in every 100c. 1 in every 500d. 1 in every 1,000

8. How do nurse sharks use their barbells?a. To sting preyb. To chew their foodc. To touch and tasted. To fight off other sharks

9. How many eyes does a horseshoe crab have?a. Noneb. Twoc. Fived. Nine

10. What do adult frogs need that tadpoles do not?a. Waterb. Foodc. Aird. Space

11. How many pounds of salt is added to Dangerous Reef tank to achieve the right levels of salinity? a. 350,000 poundsb. 750,000 poundsc. 3,500 poundsd. 12,000 pounds

12. How do female lobsters attract a mate?a. Fighting with themb. Peeing on themc. Dancingd. Pinching them

13. How high can an aruana jump?a. 2 feetb. 6 feetc. 10 feetd. A fish cannot jump

14. What animal can survive even in total drought?a. Horseshoe Crabb. Lobsterc. Lungfishd. Bullfrog

15. List the animals you can find who’s slime is toxic:a. b. c. d. e.

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunt Answer Sheet1. Which shark is the smallest member of the hammerhead family? a. Scalloped hammerhead c. Leopard Shark b. Bonnethead d. Bamboo Shark 2. Sandbar sharks are a species that is officially considered: a. Overfished c. Extinct b. Stable d. Dangeroustohumans 3. What is the main diet of a poison dart frog? a. Smallfish c. Ants b. Otherfrogs d. Earthworms 4. Which species at the aquarium is now an invasive species in Florida, Texas and Hawaii? a. GreenSeaTurtles c. Sandtigersharks b. Iguanas d. DwarfCaimans

5. What species at the aquarium is closely related to ticks, spiders and scorpions? a. HorseshoeCrabs c. GiantPacificOctopus b. Lobsters d. SeaStars 6. Octopuses can fit into spaces: a. 1/10th of their size c. About a foot wide b. The size of one arm d. The size of a barrel 7. How many turtle hatchlings will survive in order to return to the beach to nest? a. 1 in every 50 c. 1 in every 500 b. 1 in every 100 d. 1 in every 1,000 8. How do nurse sharks use their barbels? a. To sting prey c. To touch and taste b. To chew their food d. To fight off other sharks 9. How many eyes does a horseshoe crab have? a. None c. 5 b. Two d. 9

Scavenger Hunt Answer Sheet10. What do adult frogs need that tadpoles do not? a. Water c. Air b. Food d. Space

11. How many pounds of salt is added to the Dangerous Reef tank to achieve the right levels of salinity? a. 350,000 pounds c. 3,500 pounds b. 750,000 pounds d. 12,000 pounds

12. How do female lobsters attract a mate? a. Fighting with them c. Dancing b. Peeing on them d. Pinching them

13. How high can an aruana jump? a. 2 feet c. 10 feet b. 6 feet d. A fish cannot jump

14. What animal can survive even in total drought? a. Horseshoe crab c. Lungfish b. Lobster d. Bullfrog

15. List the animals you can find who’s slime is toxic: a. Soapfish d. Predatory Slugs b. Anemones e. Poison Dart Frogs c. Banana Slugs

Field Trip Evaluation FormReserving your tripHow would you describe the ease of reserving your field trip?

Did you feel as though you received all of the necessary information you needed in order to

plan the best trip possible for your group?

Any other comments on reserving field trips:

Aquarium ExperienceHow would you describe your field trip experience?

Did you participate in a class or lunch?

Do you feel that your students gained relevant new knowledge during their classroom

program?

Would you sign up for a class or lunch on your next field trip?

Did your group utilize the scavenger hunt?

Did you group utilize the guidebooks?