Strangely, it would never occur to me not to let children in unaccompanied.
We often have 8-10 years olds coming in after school to look around. We are
a small enough space that they are always in eyeshot of an adult, and I
don't think that we have ever had a problem.

Frankly, I'm so thrilled that they want to come in I wouldn't dream of
turning them away! Perhaps museum contents have an impact on behavior (ie. a
history museum versus a science center).

Erica S. Maniez
Museum Director, Issaquah Historical Society
425/392-3500
[log in to unmask]
www.issaquahhistory.org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of Explorit Science Center
> Sent: Monday, January 21, 2002 4:22 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Age Minimums
>
>
> Greetings all listers-
>
> What guidelines do y'all have for allowing unattended minors to
> enter your museum space?
>
> We are a small center, with an exhibit hall of about 1000 sq. ft.
>  Our humble beginnings have given us a strong connection to the
> community, and many of our supporters think of us as an extension
> of the family.  This is wonderful, but occasionally we face small
> dilemmas, and this one has come up.
>
> In our past, we have allowed the children of members admission to
> the museum without adult supervision.  Often these are kids who
> ride here on their bikes and may live within a half-mile distance.
>
> Some concern has been expressed by staff that this may not be
> such a wise idea, given liability issues and our concern that the
> public hours staff not become responsible for minor children on
> the premises.  We insist that children who attend our vacation
> classes have a signed release form and indemnity agreement on
> file protecting us from liability, but that only applies to the
> time of the class.  Would a similar liability waiver, available
> for members to sign, be a viable option?  If so, would an age
> limit for "waivered" kids (say 11 years) be fair to members and
> the museum staff?
>
> Another question- how about minor children accompanying other
> minor children?  I would hate to have to turn away an eight year
> old coming by with their fifteen year old babysitter, but what
> can of worms might we be opening if we decide this is okay?
>
> Lastly, if museums do have limits on unattended minors, where do
> you publish these guidelines?
>
> Thanks very much for all information.
>
> Scott Hilton
> Program Administrative Assistant
>
>
>
> --
> ----------------------------------
> Explorit Science Center
> 3141 5th Street
> PO Box 1288
> Davis, CA 95617-1288
> (530) 756-0191
> Fax (530) 756-1227
> http://www.explorit.org
>
> "To involve people in science
> experiences that touch our lives."
> ----------------------------------
>
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