Student Tours
Student Programs at the MSV
The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley offers unique opportunities for student, scout, and homeschool groups of all ages. Discussion-based tours can focus on Art, History, the Gardens, or have a mix of all three. In addition to gallery and garden tours, your field trip to the MSV can include one of our programs with age-appropriate hands-on activities. For groups unable to visit the MSV, we also offer outreach programs, interactive virtual tours, and online resources.
Our galleries and offerings are always changing. The Shenandoah Valley Gallery focuses on the history of the valley and the people and cultures which shaped it. A variety of traveling art exhibitions and pieces from the MSV collections rotate through the Changing Exhibitions and Founders Galleries.
Fees and Other Tour Information
Student tours last approximately 90 minutes and are offered at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. We can accommodate up to 70 students per time slot. If your group needs a different time or other arrangements, please note that on your Student Tour Request Form and we will do our best to work with you.
Fees
Student tours and outreach programs: $3 per person (students and chaperones; we request no more than one chaperone per five students)
Teachers: free
Virtual Student Tours: $1 per student ($25 minimum)
Materials
Some programs may require an additional materials fee. Assistance may be available for schools with demonstrated need. Please note this on the Student Tour Request Form.
Lunches
Student groups are welcome to bring a sack lunch to enjoy outdoors after their tour.
Student Tour Request Form Submissions
After you submit the Student Tour Request Form, a staff member will contact you to answer any questions, confirm your request, and provide information about your upcoming program. Please allow two business days for a response. Your tour is not confirmed until you hear from a member of our staff.
Popular Student Programs
Plants and Seeds
While looking at the MSV Gardens, your group will discuss the parts of a plant and what they need to grow. In the garden classroom, students will have an opportunity to plant a seed in a cup to take home and observe as it germinates and grows. This program is ideal for Kindergarten – 4th grade.
Current Exhibition Tours
The MSV offers a wide variety of changing art exhibitions in our gallery spaces and outdoor gardens. Get an in-depth look at our current offering with a tour led by an educator trained in techniques that will enhance students’ critical thinking skills, art appreciation, visual literacy, and language and listening skills. Great for all grade levels.
Think Like a Curator
Utilizing critical thinking and collaborative learning, this program allows students to look at history through the eyes of a museum curator. While handling and inspecting historical objects, classmates will discuss not only how they affected daily life, but also how to preserve and care for them. This program is ideal for 6th grade and up.
Watersheds
Discover the headwaters of the Town Run in the MSV Gardens. While discussing the local watershed, students will have opportunities to test the water quality of the freshwater springs and identify macroinvertebrates from our wetlands. This program is ideal for 6th grade and up. *additional $2 cost per student.*
History/Virginia Studies
Explore the Shenandoah Valley History Gallery and the historic Glen Burnie House in the MSV Gardens to learn about Virginia history, from native peoples to present day. Ideal for students 4th grade and up but adaptable to all grade levels.
Homeschool Groups
We welcome homeschool groups at the MSV!
To ensure the best educational experience, these are our policies:
- Homeschool student tours at the MSV are designed for students ages 5 and up. A minimum of eight students of appropriate grade levels is required for a student tour.
- The maximum size for a homeschool group is 25 people, including parents and siblings.
- A member of our education staff will contact you to discuss the details of your request and confirm your tour. The group contact should be prepared to discuss how the tour will complement or enhance the students’ curriculum and learning.
Please use the Student Tour Request Form to begin booking your homeschool tour.
We also offer art making programs for homeschoolers. Check out our Youth Programs, including monthly Homeschool Wednesday workshops (for ages 10 and up), and our Gardens and Gallery Explorers programs (for ages 5 and up).
Student Tour Request Form
Thank you for your interest in Student Tours at the MSV. We are currently experiencing a very high volume of requests for student tours. While we try to accommodate every request, please keep in mind that at this time we are booking several months ahead, and availability is limited. *Please request programs at least 30 days in advance.*
To get started booking your student tour, please fill out the Student Tour Request Form below. This form provides all the information we need to begin processing your request. (Please note that this is NOT A RESERVATION FORM. Your student tour booking will not be complete until you hear from a member of our education staff).
After you click SUBMIT below, you should see the message on your screen: “Thanks for contacting us about Student Tours! We will get in touch with you shortly.” If you do not see a response within three business days, check your spam folder. If you need assistance, please email sperks@themsv.org.
Outreach Programs
Challenges getting your students to the MSV? Let us bring an outreach program to your classroom! Our educators are ready to bring touchable objects from Shenandoah Valley education collection to your classroom to discuss the people and cultures who settled and shaped the valley. Several of the popular programs listed above can be brought for outreach as well.
Interactive Virtual Tours
Join our museum educators for an interactive virtual tour in the MSV Galleries. Students will be able to ask and answer questions while seeing current exhibitions in the gallery space from their classroom or while learning remotely. Programs are currently available through Zoom or in your Google meeting.
Online Resources
We offer a variety of digital resources for student learning. Submit a completed Student Tour Request Form for information and to access online resources for your students.
Activity Sheets and Videos (1st – 5th grade)
- What is a museum
- Quilts of the Valley
- Plants and Art
- Glen Burnie House
- Keeping food safe
- Kitchen life
Primary Resources (6th – 12th grade)
- Letters from founding fathers to James Wood
- Letters from the Wood family
- Letters regarding slavery in the Valley
- Land survey completed by James Wood