Requirements (must meet all to apply):

  • Open to organizations within Boston (all neighborhoods) and Cambridge.
  • Open to non-profit organizations that demonstrate financial need that restricts their ability to access New England Aquarium programming.
  • Open to children grades 1 – 8 and accompanying chaperones.
  • Organizations may apply for both a community visit and a community outreach.

Visits to the Aquarium and Outreaches are NOT booked until you receive a confirmation letter from our department with a reservation number. If you do not receive a confirmation letter by email two weeks prior to your requested visit, please call the Community Programs office to confirm.

Community Visits—Visit the New England Aquarium.

  • Free group admission to the Aquarium may be requested for up to 75 people per organization.
  • One adult chaperone must accompany every 10 youths.
  • A member of the participating organization is required to attend a Field Trip Preparation Workshop before the date of the scheduled visit.
  • Applications for summer 2013 are now closed. If you have questions regarding a submitted application, please contact communityprograms@neaq.org.

Community Outreach Programs—Aquarium staff will present the program at your facility.

  • Academic Year programs are available October – May, Monday – Friday, with start times between 3:30 and 4:00 PM. Weekend programs may be available.
  • Summer programs are available July – August, Monday – Friday, with start times at either 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. Weekend programs may be available.
  • Organizations may request educational outreach programs to be delivered to their site. Groups of 40 children or more may be split into smaller groups for safety reasons.
  • Programs are 45 to 60 minutes in length. Topics include tidepools, penguins, sharks and lobsters.
  • Programs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the high number of requests, we cannot guarantee that all requests will be accommodated.
  • Applications for summer 2013 are now closed. If you have questions regarding a submitted application, please contact communityprograms@neaq.org.

Community Events—NEAq visits your special event.

  • Organizations within Boston and Cambridge may request a Tidepool Open House program to visit their special event.
  • Program time may vary based on availability, and can last from one to three hours.
  • Programs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the high number of requests, we cannot guarantee that all requests will be accommodated.
  • Community events application   

Tips for Scheduling Your Community Program

Summer

  • Visit applications open in January
  • Visit applications and workshops can take 1 month before scheduling your visit date. Please apply early.
  • Outreach applications open in March
  • Applications will be closed when the programs are full


Academic Year

  • Visit and Outreach applications open in September
  • Visit applications & workshops can take 1 month before scheduling your visit date. Please apply early.