Have Some Fun! An overnight at the Cradle of Aviation Museum is a special program that inspires children to discover aerospace & science in fun and educational ways. This manual of ideas and suggestions, many of which previous attendees offered, should help you prepare for a great overnight experience. Before your visit, plan ahead: get plenty of rest, practice sleeping on the floor, and try to remember how much fun slumber parties used to be. If you have any questions, contact us at reservations (516) 572-4066, or email scouts@cradleofaviation.org., or visit us online at www.cradleofaviation.org We ll see you soon! Everyone Join In! Get ready for a great night. As an adult participant, you are responsible for supervising children at all times. We have found that small groups with two adults work best however we do require one adult per four children minimum. If for any reason you can t attend, contact your organization to find a replacement. The Museum does not grant refunds. Before You Come Be prepared to interact positively with the several other people attending the program. Cooperation and flexibility are vital. Read this manual and be sure to understand the rules, regulations and suggestions to make your experience at the museum a positive one. The Museum s galleries can be open to the public during parts of the overnight, and there will be other visitors attending shows and Museum functions on certain dates. In addition, there may be staff or contractors working in the building throughout the night on Museum projects. We look forward to working with you to make this a wonderful experience for everyone. One Davis Avenue Garden City NY 11530 www.cradleofaviation.org Reservations (516) 572-4066
Arrival and Registration Plan to check in between 7:30 8:00 p.m. ** NO EARLY CHECK-INS Park in the front parking lot of the Museum and bring your gear to the main entrance and atrium. After you enter, you can temporarily leave your gear in the atrium under your group name and proceed to check-in. At check-in, please be prepared to sign in participants under your care. You will receive a map of the building, a schedule of events, and other information for a safe, successful stay. Overnight staff is available to assist you during the program and direct you to sleeping locations and final gear drop off. If you arrive after 8:00 p.m., go to the Security Booth in the Museum atrium and ask the guard to contact an overnight staff member to check you in. Program Activities Your program includes an opening welcome, instructor-led workshop/s, hands-on science activities, demonstrations, and a Giant screen film. Adults are encouraged to participate in all activities. The Museum is a big place; take some time to explore the exhibits. Please realize that even being here all night, you might not see all the exhibits the Museum has to offer! What to Bring Sleeping Gear Each participant should bring an indoor sleeping bag, pillows and pads for hard floors. Outlets are available for inflating air mattresses (please contact us in advance if you need an outlet overnight for a CPAP machine or other device). Bring a toothbrush, toothpaste and other essential bathroom products. Consolidate gear to facilitate storage and access. All your gear should be clearly labeled with your group and individual name to minimize the loss of items. On certain nights your gear will be stored with the belongings of hundreds of other participants. Clothing You ll do a lot of walking or standing, so wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Shoes must be worn at all times. We recommend dressing in layers, as the temperature in the Museum is unpredictable but generally runs cold in the fall and winter months. Other A water bottle is strongly recommended and is allowed on the museum floor during overnights. Feel free to bring cell phones and cameras. A small flashlight might be helpful. You can take photographs in most areas of the Museum. Participants may wish to bring money to purchase souvenirs and educational items at the Museum Store. IPods or music devices with headphones are allowed. What Not to Bring Please do not bring tents, cots, hair dryers, curling irons, any item that can cause a spark and/or fire (lanterns, candles, lighters etc), weapons of any kind, alcohol, tobacco, illegal substances, electronic items without headphones (mini TVs, radios etc), shower necessities (there is no shower facilities)
Transportation Cars Participants may drop off gear at the museums main entrance but can not park along the curb. Overnight parking is available free of charge in the Museum s front parking lot. Directions From the Northern State Parkway take the Meadowbrook Parkway south to exit M4. Half way up the exit ramp, bear to the right and exit onto Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Go to the second traffic light and the Cradle of Aviation is on your right. From the Southern State Parkway take the Meadowbrook Parkway north to exit M4 and follow signs to the Nassau Coliseum. This will put you on Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Make a right at the second light. Traveling east on the Long Island Expressway, exit at 39S, Glen Cove Road South. Glen Cove Road turns into Clinton Ave. when you cross Old Country Road. Continue south to Hempstead Tpke. make a left. When you go under the second pedestrian overpass, make a left onto Earl Ovington Blvd. Go three traffic lights to Charles Lindbergh Blvd. and make a left then a right into the first driveway. The entrance is the glass fronted building. Traveling west on the Long Island Expressway, exit at 40W to Jericho Turnpike. Take Jericho Turnpike to Post Ave. (Post is immediately after the pedestrian bridge.) Make a left onto Post Ave, go through the village of Westbury and cross Old Country Road. The name of the street will change to Merrick Rd. Stay on Merrick to Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Make a right onto Charles Lindbergh Blvd. go two traffic lights and make a right into parking lot Public Transportation The Museum is located on Charles Lindberg Boulevard next to Nassau Community College and across the street from the Mitchel Athletic Field. By Bus: Take the N16, N45, and N51 buses stop several blocks from the Museum at Nassau Community College but is within walking distance. By Train: Taxis available from the following LIRR stations: Garden City, Mineola, and Westbury. Departure The program ends at 8:30 a.m. A security guard is available until this time. Pack and store your gear in your vehicle during the scheduled time before the Museum opens to the public. Please make arrangements for gear, parking, and buses. If you still have energy, stay longer and explore!!
Meals We provide an evening snack and light bagel breakfast with coffee and juice. Participants may bring additional snacks or dinner but it must be eaten in the Red Planet Café however we suggest eating dinner prior to arrival. Those with special dietary needs are encouraged to bring their own food substitutes. Sleeping Spaces All attendees are assigned a sleeping area in the Museum s galleries. One adult from each group must attend a safety tour. Overnight staff reviews emergency procedures at this time. Please cooperate with the staff to make sure your sleeping area is set up safely. As for sleep itself, expect about as much as anyone would get at a slumber party! Remember that after lights out all participants must remain quietly in their sleeping bags. Basic Rules and Guidelines Children must be chaperoned at all times. Participants are not allowed to leave the building except in an emergency. Smoking is prohibited on Museum property. Participants may not use or possess alcohol or drugs. No food is allowed in the Galleries. No running or jumping No climbing on exhibitry or defacing any museum property of any kind, this will not be tolerated and persons will be ejected from museum Exhibitry and Museum facility should be respected Museum is not responsible for lost or stolen items Access Please notify your organization and the Overnight Program office prior to the overnight if any member of your group has special needs, or if any adult or child must leave early. Wheelchairs are available. We are better able to accommodate your needs with advance notice.
Emergencies Building Emergencies Like other public institutions, the Museum is required to meet fire and emergency standards. Heat and smoke detection systems are installed throughout the Museum. The Museum has consistently met or exceeded safety requirements. A security guard is on duty throughout the night, touring the Museum regularly. Security Officers and Overnight staff are trained in emergency exit procedures. Some lights are left on all night. Medical Emergencies If a medical emergency arises, alert a Museum staff member or the Museum s Security Officer. Several hospitals are only minutes away. Adults should have the emergency contact phone numbers for all people in their groups. First-aid equipment is available through the Museum during emergencies. A room with a quiet rest area and a refrigerator for medicine is also available. Please bring any medications your group requires and be sure to contact the Museum in advance regarding any special medical needs. Sleep Under the Planes includes guided activities, a Giant Screen Film, bedtime snack, breakfast, and a Cradle of Aviation Museum patch for scouts. Minimum of 50 people required to secure a night. Minimum one adult per four children in a group. Dates are subject to availability. One Davis Avenue Garden City NY 11530 www.cradleofaviation.org Reservations (516) 572-4066