In order to make your visit to the USS SLATER easier on you and more enjoyable for your students, please take advantage of the following Field Trip Guide. The following guide may be downloaded here.

Reservations:
Reservations are REQUIRED for your class field trip. Tours may be scheduled for any day of the week, as early as 9:00 AM and as late as 3:00 PM. We request that you make your reservation at least one week before your scheduled tour. Should you need to cancel or reschedule your visit for any reason, please call with your changes, as there may be other groups who are able to utilize your time slot. Please notify us if you are running late. To make a reservation please call Rosehn at 518-431-1943.

Parking:
There is a large parking lot adjacent to the ship. However, because we share the parking lot with Dutch Apple Cruises, we cannot guarantee ample space in the lot for school buses. There is an overflow gravel parking lot across from the U-Haul building.

The Tour:
The guided tour lasts about an hour. You should also plan extra time for your group to visit the ship's store. If you plan to schedule an extra activity for your class, you should schedule at least another 45 minutes into your trip.

The Ship's Store
Many inexpensive items are stocked in the Ship's Store. Students are welcome to shop when their tour has been completed. The shop permits groups of 10 supervised students into the shop for approximately 5 minutes. This restriction is especially important with larger classes. A sequencing of groups can be worked out with the museum's staff to help your group remain on schedule. We ask that only children who have brought spending money be allowed into the store. A teacher and/or chaperone must remain with the students while they are in the store.

Educational Programs:
The USS SLATER offers several hands-on programs that teach children some of the details and duties of shipboard life. Programs include lessons in navigation, signal flags and Morse Code and are presented onboard the ship after your tour. Call Eric Rivet, Education Coordinator, at 518-431-1943 to reserve. There is an additional charge. Please allow 45-minute minimum in addition to the one-hour tour. Designed for elementary and middle school.

Restrooms:
There is only one restroom at the museum, located next to the classroom on the shore side deck. Please plan accordingly.

Picnic Area:
A riverside picnic area with tables and shade trees is located at the Corning Preserve, less than 5 minutes driving time from the ship. Directions to the Preserve are available in the gift shop. Public picnic facilities are not available at the SLATER.

Helpful Hints for Teachers:
Take advantage of the pre-visit educational material on our website and share it with your class. The more prepared your class is the more they will learn!
Explain to your class that the USS SLATER is an artifact to be respected. It is the last ship of its kind afloat in America. Your students will enjoy the tour more if they are aware of the history involved. Remind your students to be courteous and listen respectfully to their guide. Most of our tour guides are Navy veterans, and many of them served on ships similar to the SLATER. They lived through the history your students are learning about!

Rules for Teachers and Students to Remember:
Please bear in mind that the USS SLATER is a small ship and there are times when the ship may be crowded with school groups and other visitors. In order to be fair to all our visitors and ensure everyone has a safe and pleasant visit, the following rules have implemented:

• You and your chaperones must remain with your students at all times. We require one chaperone per ten children.


• Payment should be made on arrival at the museum; the cashier on duty will accept your payment and give you a receipt if needed. It is best to have one person pay for everyone. Please have an accurate count of students and adults. Cash, checks, and some credit cards are accepted. If your school requires payment in other manner, please make arrangements with the Business Office prior to your arrival.


• All visitors should wear flat, rubber-soled shoes, preferably with laces. Please, no sandals.


• Running, jumping, and roughhousing are not allowed aboard ship. Should any student perform actions that put that student or his or her classmates at risk, or should a student's behavior interfere with the tour, that student may be removed from the ship.


• Vertical ladders are off limits. In addition, we ask that students not lean on the lifelines.


• Remember that the USS SLATER is a historical artifact. She carries many items and pieces of equipment that are irreplaceable. Remind your students not to touch items and machines on the ship unless given permission by the tour guide.


• Because the ship is a memorial, there may be times when a reunion or memorial service is taking place while your group is aboard. While you are certainly invited to watch the service, we ask that your group remain quiet and respectful of the veterans and their families.

The museum staff looks forward to having your class onboard. Should you have any questions or problems, please feel free to call us.