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 Glen Burnie 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 that shaped it. A variety of traveling art exhibitions and objects from the MSV collections rotate through the Changing Exhibitions and Founders Galleries.

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.

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Fees and Other Tour Information

Student tours last approximately 90 minutes and are offered at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 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)

Please note: effective July 1, 2025, student tours and outreach programs will be $5 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

Due to other events and programs scheduled for the day, we do not have available indoor space for lunches. Please store lunches on the buses or in cars. You are welcome to eat lunch in our picnic area or on our front lawn either before or after your 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.

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.
  • The tour fee is per person (adults and children).

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).

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