Schools + Youth
Bring USS Constitution’s past to life with a group experience at the USS Constitution Museum!
Please note: On March 13, the USS Constitution Museum closed to the public in response to the public health emergency and to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The USS Constitution Museum continues to monitor developments closely and plans to reopen now that the City of Boston has entered Phase 3. We expect to finalize our reopening date by the end of July. As always, the safety of our visitors and staff is our top priority.
We also offer specific programs for adult groups. Please visit:
Visiting USS Constitution, the Ship
Some school and youth programs include time aboard the ship, USS Constitution. Please check program listings for details.
For all others, USS Constitution is operated by the United States Navy and can be accessed during operating hours on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be aware that visitors must pass through a security inspection and show federal or state photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, before embarking on USS Constitution. Visitors under the age of 18 do not require a photo identification card.
From self-guided exploration of our award-winning exhibits, to engaging, interdisciplinary programs with our talented staff, there is something for every type of school group to discover.
School programs are available from September through June. Program and transportation funding is available for some groups. Please visit the Before Your Visit tab for more information. To request a school program, please visit the Request a Reservation tab.
If you are interested in visiting during the Mayflower Sails 2020 commemoration, consider participating in our Ship Shape Challenge program available on May 18 and 19. Click here to learn more.
Elementary School Programs
A Sailor’s Life for Me?
Discover details about life aboard USS Constitution in the early years of the U.S. Navy – the good and the bad – with a skilled educator. At the end of the program, ask yourself, “Is a sailor’s life for me?” Students and their chaperones are encouraged to explore our award-winning, hands-on exhibits and the ship, USS Constitution, following the program.
All Ages │ 10-30 people │ 30 minutes + Self-Guided Exploration │ $100 │ Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10
History Detectives
Become a history detective and storyteller! Historians uncover stories of the past by examining artifacts and making connections that are shared with the community in museums, books, and online. Can your class work together to uncover the stories of USS Constitution’s crew? Use critical thinking skills to piece together the stories of the 1812 crew and then share them with your peers. This program includes time aboard the ship, USS Constitution.
Grades 3-5│10-30 students│2.5 hours│$250│ Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6
Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Ship Design Challenge
USS Constitution was built for speed and strength by a young nation with a limited budget. Her unique design and American materials helped to make her a national symbol. Are you up to the challenge of designing and constructing the fastest and strongest ship using household resources and within a set time and budgetary constraints? This program includes time aboard the ship, USS Constitution.
Grades 3-5│10-30 students│2.5 hours│$250│ Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6
Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Self-Guided Visit
Don’t just learn about history, experience it! Your group can independently explore two floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits or shop for something special to take home in the Museum Store. Students and their chaperones are encouraged to visit USS Constitution after exploring the museum.
All Ages │ 60 minutes recommended │ Suggested Donation $75-$250 │ Suggested Chaperone Ratio 1:10
Middle School Programs
A Sailor’s Life for Me?
Discover details about life aboard USS Constitution in the early years of the U.S. Navy – the good and the bad – with a skilled educator. At the end of the program, ask yourself, “Is a sailor’s life for me?” Students and their chaperones are encouraged to explore our award-winning, hands-on exhibits and the ship, USS Constitution, following the program.
All Ages │ 10-30 people │ 30 minutes + Self-Guided Exploration │ $100 │ Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10
Ship Design Challenge
USS Constitution was built for speed and strength by a young nation with a limited budget. Her unique design and American materials helped to make her a national symbol. Are you up to the challenge of designing and constructing the fastest and strongest ship using household resources and within a set time and budgetary constraints? This program includes time aboard the ship, USS Constitution.
Grades 6-8│10-30 students│2.5 hours│$250│ Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6
Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Will You Join the Crew?
What is it like to serve as part of the crew of USS Constitution? Uncover the rewards and challenges of the life of an 1812 sailor by examining primary sources in the Museum and participating in hands-on, place-based activities on board USS Constitution. Interview a current crew member to compare this with life serving in the Navy as part of USS Constitution‘s crew today. Join the Museum as we prototype this program in Spring 2020!
Grades 6-8│10-30 students│2.5 hours│$250│ Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6
Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Self-Guided Visit
Don’t just learn about history, experience it! Your group can independently explore two floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits or shop for something special to take home in the Museum Store. Students and their chaperones are encouraged to visit USS Constitution after exploring the museum.
All Ages │ 60 minutes recommended │ Suggested Donation $75-$250 │ Suggested Chaperone Ratio 1:10
High School Programs
A Sailor’s Life for Me?
Discover details about life aboard USS Constitution in the early years of the U.S. Navy – the good and the bad – with a skilled educator. At the end of the program, ask yourself, “Is a sailor’s life for me?” Students and their chaperones are encouraged to explore our award-winning, hands-on exhibits and the ship, USS Constitution, following the program.
All Ages │ 10-30 people │ 30 minutes + Self-Guided Exploration │ $100 │ Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10
Why a Navy?
How does USS Constitution’s mission to protect global trade in the early 19th Century contrast with the mission of our modern Navy? In this program, students will visit and explore the USS Constitution Museum’s collection, participate in a mock gun drill and activities on board the Ship, and engage in a trade simulation. This program includes time on board USS Constitution. Prototype with us in Spring 2020!
Grades 8-12│10-30 students│2.5 hours│$250│Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10
Self-Guided Visit
Don’t just learn about history, experience it! Your group can independently explore two floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits or shop for something special to take home in the Museum Store. Students and their chaperones are encouraged to visit USS Constitution after exploring the museum.
All Ages │ 60 minutes recommended │ Suggested Donation $75-$250 │ Suggested Chaperone Ratio 1:10
From self-guided exploration of our award-winning exhibits, to engaging, interdisciplinary programs with our talented staff, there is something for every type of group to discover.
Program and transportation funding is available for some groups. Please visit the Before Your Visit tab for more information. To request an out-of-school program, please visit the Request a Reservation tab.
David’s Story
Experience life aboard USS Constitution through the story of David Debias, an 8-year-old child from Boston’s free black community, who served on USS Constitution during the War of 1812. Youth will learn about David’s life at sea through fun, hands-on activities that emphasize teamwork, collaboration, and creative thinking. Active duty sailors will take them aboard USS Constitution to see where David slept, worked, and relaxed as well as share their own stories about life in the navy. Sign up to join David and the crew!
Ages 8-10│Max 50 people│2.5 hours│$250│Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10
A Sailor’s Life for Me?
Discover details about life aboard USS Constitution in the early years of the U.S. Navy – the good and the bad – with a skilled educator. At the end of the program, ask yourself, “Is a sailor’s life for me?” Students and their chaperones are encouraged to explore our award-winning, hands-on exhibits and the ship, USS Constitution, following the program.
All Ages │ 10-30 people │ 30 minutes + Self-Guided Exploration │ $100 │ Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10
Self-Guided Visit
Don’t just learn about history, experience it! Your group can independently explore two floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits and shop for something special to take home in the Museum Store. Students and their chaperones are encouraged to visit USS Constitution after exploring the museum.
Advance reservations for self-guided group visits are only required for grant-funded groups.
All Ages │ 60 minutes recommended │ Suggested Donation $75-$250 │ Suggested Chaperone Ratio 1:10
Bus Drop-off & Parking
The Charlestown Navy Yard has a designated turnaround area located on Constitution Road for bus drop-off. Afterward, The Boston Autoport (100 Terminal Street) in Charlestown is available for short-term motor coach and school bus parking. The cost is $10.00 for school buses and $20.00 for coach buses. The Boston Autoport is privately owned and operated and is not affiliated with the USS Constitution Museum.
Group Check-In
On arrival, the Group Leader should proceed inside to the museum’s admission desk to check-in for the program. During check-in, the group leader will be asked to confirm numbers, process any payment due, and then will be introduced to the educator that will be leading the program. If your group is running late or is unable to make the program’s start time, please call the museum’s admission desk at 617-426-1812 x. 101. If the group arrives late, the museum reserves the right to modify the program or change the reservation to a self-guided visit.
Cancellations
The museum requires cancellations at least two weeks prior to the date of the visit or $25 will be charged to the credit card on file. If the group fails to contact the museum to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours prior to the visit, the full amount will be charged to the credit card on file. If you choose to reschedule, the program must be booked for a date within two months of the original program date.
Inclement Weather
In the case of inclement weather, call 617-426-1812 to find out if the museum is open. If the museum is closed, an outgoing message will play with an announcement, and we will follow up to reschedule. If the museum is open, we will expect your group as scheduled. If you still choose not to visit, but notify us, a $25 cancellation fee will be charged to the credit card on file. If you do not notify us, all cancellation policies remain in effect.
Lunch
DECCA, a restaurant located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, is now offering boxed lunches for adult and student groups.
Please note that the Charlestown Navy Yard does not have any indoor facilities or sheltered outdoor spaces for groups to eat lunch, but there are plenty of green spaces to enjoy a picnic-style lunch.
Educator Resources
The USS Constitution Museum is committed to providing teachers with the tools and support they need to teach about USS Constitution and the War of 1812. Please visit the Educator Resources page to view lesson plans and activities.
Grant Funding Opportunities
The museum is proud to offer the following funding opportunities to visiting groups. If you believe your group qualifies, please inquire when requesting a reservation.
Free Programs for Boston School, After School and Summer Programs
The USS Constitution Museum is excited to offer fully subsidized programs for all Boston school and out-of-school enrichment programs. Free bus transportation for facilitated programs is also available for eligible groups.
Cambridge Savings Charitable Foundation – Free Programs & Transportation Assistance for Branch neighborhood schools
Cambridge Savings Bank Neighborhood Schools can reserve any facilitated program free-of-charge and receive up to $100 bus reimbursement. All schools in the following neighborhoods are eligible: Acton, Allston- Brighton, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Charlestown, Chelsea, Concord, Everett, Lexington, Lincoln, Medford, Newton, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown, Winchester and Woburn.
After the Visit
Our funders would love to hear from you! If you receive grant funding for a visit to the museum, please share any post-visit classroom activities that demonstrate impact or consider having your class write thank-you letters to the organization that made your trip possible. Forward to the USS Constitution Museum, P.O. Box 291812, Boston, MA 02129 (Attn: Group Reservations) or groupreservations@usscm.org and we will forward them appropriately.
Click here to see all of the Museum’s Group Policies and Procedures.
Reservation Process and Payment
To schedule a visit to the Museum, please fill out the Reservation Request Form below. Once you submit the Reservation Request Form, a member of our group reservation department will reach out to confirm availability, collect credit card information, and finalize the reservation. A credit card is required to reserve a facilitated program at the USS Constitution Museum. Full payment is due no later than the time of your visit. If the museum has not received payment at that time, the credit card on file will be charged. Cash, checks, and all major credit cards are accepted.
• Reservations must be made at least one week in advance.
• Facilitated programs are available Monday – Friday.
• For the months of April – August, facilitated programs are available at the following times:
• Mondays – Wednesdays: 10:00am – 12:00pm
• Thursdays and Fridays: 9:30am – 11:30am and 12:00pm – 2:00pm
• Dates in May and June fill quickly, please complete your reservation for these months as early as possible.
• Reservations are not accepted during the week of July 4th.
• Click here to see all of the Museum’s Group Policies and Procedures.
The Education Coordinator is available Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 1:00pm. Please call 617-426-1812 x146 or email groupreservations@usscm.org for assistance making a reservation.
