Community Education and Outreach Program

The Dr. Lawrence J. Sacks Community Education and Outreach Program aims to make science education accessible for all by providing complimentary admission to the VLM for a one-day educational visit. Requests will be considered for either Group Visitation or Individual Passes and are based on the below guidelines as funding is available.

As part of the Sacks Community Education and Outreach Program, the VLM also participates in Museums for All, a nationwide initiative to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, can enjoy the enriching experiences museums offer. 

---

Group Pass Request Guidelines

Group Requests for complimentary visitation will be considered from non-profit organizations serving at-risk and under-served children and families in the Hampton Roads area. Requesting organizations must be within a 60-mile radius of the Virginia Living Museum. Scholarships will be awarded to groups of up to 22 people (20 children/adults and 2 chaperones).

We are committed to fostering a love for learning and exploration within our community. If you meet the criteria outlined above and are interested in participating in our program, we encourage you to submit a request.

Please note: Requests may take up to two weeks to process. All requests should be submitted at least two weeks prior to your preferred visit or event date.

Instructions for requesting Group Admission passes:

• Group requests are accepted on a rolling basis as funding is available.
• The requesting organization must submit a formal request online in the form at the bottom of the page. Information that is required:
  • Name, address, phone number and contact person for the organization.
  • 501 c 3 number.
  • A brief description of the organization and mission statement.
  • Describe the nature of the visit and what purpose it would serve for the organization and its constituents.
  • If the organization knows what date they would like to attend the VLM, they are advised to include that date, but it is not guaranteed.
  • The number of tickets requested for adults and children (up to the 22 ticket limit.) Additional tickets will be charged at the VLM’s group rate.
  • If the organization is approved by the Program, an acceptance letter will be sent to the listed contact person by email.

Once approved, the organization MUST:

• Bring the acceptance letter to the Museum on the date of their visit.
• Write a letter thanking the sponsor indicated on their acceptance letter.

---

The Dr. Lawrence J. Sacks Community Education and Outreach Program is made possible by individual, foundation, and corporate support. The Program honors the legacy of Dr. Lawrence J. “Larry” Sacks. During his lifetime, Dr. Sacks promoted science education in Hampton Roads as an educator, scientist, community leader, and Virginia Living Museum volunteer. He continues to inspire initiatives like the Community Education and Outreach Program and the Museum’s participation in Museums for All, which aim to break down barriers to education and create a more inclusive society.

---

Individual Pass Requests

Individual Pass Requests for complimentary visitation will be considered from non-profit organizations in the Hampton Roads area. The VLM Community Education Program supports local community organizations that are supporting a local cause. The VLM will provide a maximum of two (2) admission tickets per organization during each year (July 1-June 30) to schools, churches and non-profit organizations within a 60 mile radius of the Museum. Requests are approved on a case-by-case basis. Due to the large volume of requests, the VLM cannot provide free admission tickets for national organizations fundraising efforts (ex. American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, March of Dimes, etc.).

Instructions for requesting Individual Complimentary passes:

•  Request must be in writing, on letterhead of the organization.
•  Request must include the name, address and phone number of the organization.
•  Include a brief description of the organization or mission statement.
• Include the date and type of event for the request.
• How will the tickets  be used?
• Name of person making the request, phone number, email address.
• Requests will be processed the first Wednesday of each month. Please keep this in mind when sending your request. Approved requests will be notified by email/mail.
• Passes may be picked up at the Museum, or if a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided, the passes will be mailed.

Azzara Oston

Virginia Living Museum
524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Newport News, VA 23601

Email: [email protected]

---

Submit Group Pass Request

Please review the program guidelines before completing this form. Allow four weeks for processing. If approved, an acceptance letter will be sent to the provided email address.

*All fields are required unless indicated otherwise.

Group Pass Request Form

Organization Name *

Contact Name *

Contact Title

Street Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

What is your non-profit organization's EIN (Tax ID)? *

Contact Phone *

Alternate Contact Phone

Contact Email *

Organization Website (if applicable)

Brief Description of Organization *

Organization Mission *

Sources of Funding: Briefly describe your organization's funding source(s). *

Briefly describe the nature of the visit and what purpose it would serve for your organization and constituents. *

Requested date of visit (if known) Please note that we will consider your requested date, but cannot guarantee availability. Alternate dates and timeframes (morning, afternoon, etc.) may be noted in the Comments section.

Preferred Date for Visit *

MonthSelect month123456789101112

DaySelect day12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

YearSelect Year212521242123212221212120211921182117211621152114211321122111211021092108210721062105210421032102210121002099209820972096209520942093209220912090208920882087208620852084208320822081208020792078207720762075207420732072207120702069206820672066206520642063206220612060205920582057205620552054205320522051205020492048204720462045204420432042204120402039203820372036203520342033203220312030202920282027202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741973197219711970196919681967196619651964196319621961196019591958195719561955195419531952195119501949194819471946194519441943194219411940193919381937193619351934193319321931193019291928192719261925

Preferred Arrival Time *

AMPM

Number of passes requested for your group visit (excluding chaperones) *Please enter a number from 1 to 20

Number of Chaperones *Please enter a number from 1 to 2

Type of Group *Select oneAdultsChildrenAdults and Children

I understand acceptance into this program requires my group to submit a thank you letter to the VLM Community Education Program. I agree to submit a letter one week after our VLM experience.

Comments

Submit

Please do not fill in this field.