Travel back in time with a field trip to Penn Dixie! Our Guided Group Tours are led by our trained staff who provide age-appropriate programming about the Earth’s history. Participants in our paleontology excursions will learn about deep time, extinct life, Western New York’s environment during the Devonian Period, and – of course- fossil collecting! Your group will experience earth science in a unique, hands-on, outdoor setting, so be sure to dress for the weather! Tours include ample fossil collecting, and all geological specimens found during field trips may be kept by participants. Our group tours typically last 2 hours, but can be adapted to shorter lengths to meet your group’s needs.
From mid April to late October, we welcome:
- School groups (Pre K-12 through college)
- Homeschool co-ops
- Day care groups
- Scout and youth organizations
- Summer camps
- Groups with special needs
- And more!
All Guided Group Tours include:
- Staff educator(s) to lead your group for the duration of the tour
- Up to two (2) hours of combined instruction and fossil collecting
- Age-appropriate fossil collecting tools
- Fossil ID cards
- Souvenir cloth bags to store fossils
- Safety briefing
Pricing:
- Tier 1 – $14/person for groups of 10 to 50
- Tier 2 – $13/person for groups of 51 to 150
- Tier 3 – $12/person for groups of 151 & up
Our Guided Group Tour rate is based on group size. One (1) free chaperone is included with every 10 participants, and additional chaperones are welcome at $12 each. For groups of 10 or fewer participants, a flat rate of $140 applies.
Payment for group tours must be made in one transaction. We cannot accept separate payments from individual participants. Trips that are not booked by formal institutions (schools, colleges, camps, etc.) are subject to a deposit of $100. The remainder of your trip’s balance is due before or on the day of your visit. We accept cash, card, and business checks. If paying by cash, exact change is required in a single payment. Credit card payments can be made via our online invoice or over the phone in advance of your tour. Checks should be made out to ‘Penn Dixie’ and should originate from your school, organization, or business account. We do not accept personal checks for group tours.
A covered picnic pavilion is available for use on most days for groups to use for lunch. There is a $25 fee to reserve the picnic pavilion for a 30 minute lunch time. There are two large picnic tables & a number of backless benches underneath the pavilion, and there are more picnic tables located just outside the pavilion. We have hand sanitizer at the pavilion as well as a garbage can for trash – you do not need to pack out your group’s garbage. Penn Dixie staff remain with your group during lunch time. You must request use of the pavilion when submitting your booking request.
Participants should not bring buckets, bags, or tools from home; we will provide these items. Participants should have appropriate footwear which includes boots, sneakers, or close-toed shoes. Participants who engage in unsafe behavior or refuse to follow staff instructions will be asked to leave Penn Dixie.
Any changes to your reservation, including final group numbers, must be made at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled visit. If your group cancels without giving 48 hours notice, we still will pursue payment for your scheduled trip. Notice of any changes or cancellation must be emailed to our Science Program Coordinator at robin@penndixie.org. Any trips canceled by Penn Dixie will receive a full refund.
To book a group tour, please use the form below or call (716) 627-4560. Bookings must be requested at least two (2) weeks in advance of your preferred date of visit.
