Overnight at the EcoTarium 

 Event Details 

THEME:

CRIMES, CODES, AND CLUES: A night of plot twists and intrigue! Solve an animal-centered mystery using logic, fingerprints, DNA, and codes!

 

FOR WHO:

Children age 5-14+ and their accompanying adult(s).

*Children MUST be 5+ to attend. OLDER siblings are welcome, but please be aware that the activities are geared toward ages 5-14. The required ratio is at most 5 youth to every 1 adult.

 

COST:

$65 per youth and adult attendees

Additional $5/person for day pass if you'd like to stay and play for the day on May 30.

Souvenir patches available for $3+tax and gift store will be open in the morning.

 

WHEN:

May 29-30, 2026

5:15p-9:45a

 

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT:

Registering with the homeschool group ensures we will be grouped together for activities and sleeping arrangements (other groups may be present during the event. Event caps at 80 participants).

Families attending with our homeschool community must rsvp to this Hive Event. You will then receive the group Ecotarium deposit payment link via email. A 50% deposit is required at time of reservation. Final payment is due 5 weeks before the Night Journey. All payments are non-refundable but tickets may be transferred if another family is interested in your reservation.

PLEASE NOTE:

Your spot is NOT reserved until your deposit payment is processed. When you rsvp, please complete your deposit asap as space is limited and the event may sell out.

 

ADULT SUPERVISION:

Overnight Adults are expected to stay with the youth they are responsible for at all times in order to assist them with activities and enforce behavioral expectations. The listed overnight adult for each individual family within our homeschool group, accepts all responsibility for loss of property or damage to the EcoTarium and its contents caused by any overnight participants in their individual family group.

Please review the Night Journey Information for Families and Chaperones:

Night Journey Chaperone Information

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

 

WHAT DOES OUR EXPERIENCE INCLUDE?

• Hands-on, educational, themed activities

• An evening snack

• A planetarium show under the stars before you climb into your sleeping bags to sleep amongst the exhibits

• Continental breakfast (Or BYO)

• Limited time to explore some of the indoor exhibits

• Some time to tour some of the outdoor exhibits in the morning (Dress accordingly!)

• Option to stay and play for the day on May 30 (+$5 per person)

• All youth guests will also receive a free return admission pass to visit the Ecotarium again on a future date!

 

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE NIGHT?

Ecotarium overnights are smaller than those at many other museums (80 participants max) and are more focused on the hands-on programming and themes. Less time is dedicated for exploring the museum exhibits and grounds because it’s important to fill your time with the special activities and experiences that you can only get during an overnight. It is highly recommended that you plan to stay and play on May 30 if you'd like time to explore the museum exhibits and grounds.

 

Sample schedule:

• 5:15 pm – 6:00pm - Arrival and check-in

• 6:30 pm - Program begins including hands-on activities and evening snack

• 9:30 pm - Evening planetarium show

• 10:00 pm - 10:30pm - Bedtime

• 7:00 am - Wake up and continental breakfast (or BYO)

• 8:00 am - Morning programming

• 9:15 am - Museum Gift Shop Opens

• 9:30 am - Check out

 

Guests who want more time to explore can easily do so by purchasing a $5/person day pass in the morning.  If you are a season pass holder, you may use your season pass for day access.

 

WILL THERE BE DINNER?

Families may eat dinner before the overnight, bring dinner to eat at the Ecotarium, or have food delivered to the EcoTarium. Any deliveries must arrive between 5:15 pm and 6:00 pm. Please be aware that the EcoTarium is NOT a nut-free facility, though they do not serve nuts during snack or breakfast.

 

WHERE WILL I SLEEP?

Guests will sleep inside among the exhibits on the museum floor. Guests are welcome to bring air mattresses for comfort. Youth must sleep within sight of their caregivers, and a few lights will be left on at all times for safety.

 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

When packing, please bring what you need to be comfortable sleeping on the floor in a variety of temperatures. Like many other old buildings, the Ecotarium has variable temperatures, so it is suggested to dress in layers for your stay. Please check the weather forecast and bring clothing appropriate for going outside in the predicted conditions. 

 

Do Bring: Pajamas, a flashlight, toothbrush, an extra layer, sleeping bag, pillow, and air mattress. Stuffed animals are welcome!

Do Not Bring: Straws, balloons, toy weapons, pets, alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, fireworks, firearms, or other weapons or restricted substances.

 

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?

Arrival begins at 5:15 pm and ends at 6:00 pm for Night Journey guests. All cars must stop at the gatehouse for instructions before proceeding onto museum grounds. Please do not arrive before 5:15 pm for your overnight stay, as staff will be closing the Museum to the public. After 5:15, you are welcome to start exploring as soon as you have dropped off your gear and checked in.

 

Night Journey guests who wish to explore the museum before 5:00 pm are welcome to purchase museum day passes on-site at the gate for $5 per person. Those with day passes will be able to explore the museum from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Overnight participants are also welcome to purchase next day passes for the morning after their overnight for $5 per person on the morning of the program.

 

Families who are running late should notify our group leader (Stephanie Buzzell) before 6:00 pm of their anticipated arrival time. Ecotarium staff will do their best to accommodate your adjusted gate arrival time but arrivals after 6:00p are not guaranteed event access.

PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE PRIOR TO 6p!

​

Can't wait to see you there! ~Anie