Pilot Program

Wednesday, Jan. 15  |  3:30-5:00 p.m.  |  Spots Left: 13

Ages 4-8: Curious about how Amazing Airways works? Or how the Showalter Cabin was built? From exploring the fascinating principles of drag force to discovering the intricacies of house construction, we’ll go behind the scenes for a closer look at the Museum's exhibits and the questions they inspire.

Register Online

Program: $25/Child. Annual Members: 10% Off. Scholarships: Apply.
Register By: Jan. 13 at 5:00 p.m. Capacity: 16 Kids.

Program Participants

• Program participants with any of these symptoms are asked to refrain from visiting the Museum.
• All parents/guardians must Check-In at the front desk before dropping off program participants in the Creation Station program room.
• No food, gum, or drinks are allowed in the Museum, except water bottles.

Check-In & Check-Out

• 3:25-3:30 p.m.: Arrival & Check-In
  • Takes place in the Museum’s front lobby area.
  • JR Explorers does not include playtime in the Museum galleries. If you wish to play in the galleries before a class, participants may arrive up to a half-hour prior to the start of the class. Participants who arrive earlier in the day to play in the galleries must pay admission. Members may check-in at any time.
  • Parents/Guardians are welcome to stay in the Museum galleries to supervise siblings during the class period or they may leave the building and return for pick-up at the conclusion of the class. The Back Gallery closes to all visitors at 4:45 p.m.
• 3:30-4:55 p.m.: Program Instruction & Activities
• 4:55-5:00 p.m.: Pick-Up & Check-Out
  • Parents/Guardians may wait outside Creation Station to pick up program participants or wait in the Front Gallery until the class concludes. The Back Gallery closes to all visitors at 4:45 p.m.
  • All visitors must exit the Museum by 5:00 p.m. to allow for the arrival of VDM’s cleaning crew.

Germ Concerns

Will VDM be open for general admission during JR Explorers?

VDM will be open for general admission during JR Explorers, but the Creation Station program room will only be open to program participants.

Who else will be in the program room during JR Explorers?

At least one VDM staff member will be present during every JR Explorers class. All staff members and any volunteers who will be in the program room have been fully vaccinated against COVID.

How often is the Museum cleaned?

The Museum is cleaned daily, and a crew will be on site after the Museum closes to clean and sanitize. All program participants must exit the Museum by the scheduled Check-Out time before the cleaners arrive.

Registration & Waitlists

What if the JR Explorers class I want to participate in has filled?

JR Explorers classes have a maximum capacity of 16 children. If you have an interest in a class that is full, please contact Education Manager Amy Griffith at amy@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x106 to add your child's name to the waitlist. In the event of a cancellation, those on the waitlist will be contacted in the order their requests were received.

Financial Assistance

Does VDM offer financial assistance for JR Explorers?

In accordance with the Museum’s mission, VDM does offer a limited number of scholarships for all of its programs, including JR Explorers. For information about applying for a scholarship, contact Director of Operations Lindsay Jones at operationsdirector@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x102.

Annual Members

How do I apply my 10% annual member discount?

To apply this discount to program registrations made online, you must have an active annual membership and will need to create a Website User Account and link it to your membership record by following these instructions. If you have already created a Website User Account, click the registration link for the program you wish to register for and sign in using the link at the top of the registration page. If you need help applying your 10% discount when using our online order forms, please contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103.

How do I set up my Website User Account?

You can follow the instructions here or contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103.

Did I successfully link my Website User Account and membership?

Contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103, and we’ll make sure everything is all set.

Cancellations & Refunds

What is VDM’s cancellation and refund policy for JR Explorers?

A minimum of 6 children is required for a program to run. If a class is canceled by the Museum due to insufficient enrollment or other extenuating circumstances, the registration fee will be refunded to all registrants.

Individual cancellations must be made at least 2 days before the program to be eligible for a refund. If an individual cancellation causes the program roster to fall below the required minimum, the refund will be contingent upon the vacancy being filled. If an individual cancellation is made within 2 days of the program, the registration fee will be forfeited. No refunds will be issued after a program begins.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Where can I park to drop off and pick up my child?

VDM validates parking for program participants at the Market Street Garage and Water Street Garage. Both locations provide the first hour of parking for free, and program participants receive an additional hour of free parking – for a total of two hours – when they request a validation ticket at VDM’s front desk. The Museum is also located next to the Downtown Transit Station, and Charlottesville Area Transit offers a Free Trolley that stops at the station as it travels through Downtown and the University of Virginia. Click to learn more about parking downtown or more about public bus routes and fares.

Click the icon in the upper left corner for map legend and details.

Does JR Explorers include gallery playtime?

JR Explorers does not include playtime in the Museum galleries. If you wish to play in the galleries before a class, participants may arrive up to a half-hour prior to the start of the class. Participants who arrive earlier in the day to play in the galleries must pay admission. Members may check-in at any time.

Are parents/guardians allowed to stay and play in the Museum with non-participating siblings during JR Explorers?

Parents/guardians are welcome to stay in the Museum galleries to supervise siblings during the class or they may leave the building and return for pick-up at the conclusion of the class. The Back Gallery Closes to all visitors at 4:45 p.m., and the Museum closes to all visitors at 5:00 p.m.