Amusement facilities long for the days when buses full of schoolchildren would visit their amusement park, waterpark, family entertainment center, or attraction as a right of passage; a reward for a year’s worth of hard work. Times have changed as school systems have adopted more stringent criteria associated with field trips, requiring that some educational value be attached to each excursion. Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, Conn., and Midway Park in Maple Spring, N.Y., effectively address the issue by offering a variety of programs that are attractive to educators while meeting the strict guidelines set by local school systems.

“Physics Days” are quite popular as amusement facilities with mechanical rides are a natural way to demonstrate some of the basic physical laws such as gravity, centrifugal force, and Newton’s Third Law. “The Commotion About Motion at Quassy” experience allows students to investigate how the basic principles of physics apply to amusement rides at the park. Students learn the “gravity” of the situation during a one-hour walking tour.

Midway’s “World in Motion” is a program developed by students for students. Rides associated with the program have signs with “World in Motion” definitions posted on them so classes may take self-guided tours. Also, groups may schedule guided morning tours before the rides open. During the tours, students get a close-up look at the workings of the rides during the “Quiet Time” excursion.

Appealing to educators offering a history curriculum, Quassy offers a “Quassy History Tour.” This behind-the-scenes tour explores the rich history of the park as one of the only 11 remaining “trolley parks” in the United States.

Midway established a “Heritage Tour” in 1997 just as the lakeside facility was gearing up for its 1998 centennial. The tour has become a key to successfully addressing the field trip issue in some school districts. Much of Midway’s history is on display in the park’s free museum. Photos, posters, antique arcade equipment, and other memorabilia make up the exhibits. The museum serves as an ideal finale to the “Heritage Tour,” as the photo displays offer a timely comparison of the past and present.

Midway and Quassy have also taken their educational programs on the road, offering a series of in-school presentations during the off-season. This helps solidify the relationship between the parks and the schools and provides a year-round marketing opportunity.

Midway’s “Laser 101” is a presentation on laser light technology. The 45-minute session explains how laser light is produced and incorporates a video as well as a lecture. From single classes to large assemblies, “Laser 101” entertains and educates its audiences. Following the video, students are able to participate when they are asked to identify various equipment applications that incorporate low- or high-powered lasers. A “Laser 101” quiz is given at the end of the production.
Midway also provides a journalism/photojournalism class that is designed for elementary through high school levels. For elementary students, the class offers a page-by-page review of a daily newspaper and discusses various writing techniques. The students are challenged to assemble a photo essay showing a day in the life of a family member, friend, or even their teacher. At the high school level, the class is more refined in the topics of gathering information, writing skills, and photography. High school students are also welcomed to inquire about higher education and career opportunities in journalism.

Quassy offers similar programs. “The ABCs About News” program lets students explore the life of a reporter and learn how to write a news story. “Picture That!” teaches students how to take better photos focusing on the composition of pictures and correct exposures.

Midway and Quassy have spent a great deal of time promoting these programs. Marketing within regional school districts has involved face-to-face meetings with regional officials, school chiefs, and other school personnel. This direct contact enables the parks to cultivate valuable relationships for the future.

Other program promotions include:
• A color brochure that outlines all of the tours and classroom presentations.
• Individual program fliers.
• Press releases announcing the
programs roughly a month before school visits start.
• Scheduled photo opportunities for regional newspapers and television stations showing student involvement with the various programs.
• Follow-up news releases and photos.

These educational programs are an important investment in the future of any amusement facility. The results have been measured not only with increased business but also with the positive community image created by working hand in hand with educators.

This column was written in cooperation with Ron Gustafson, director of public relations/educational programs at Quassy Amusement Park and former marketing and public director at Midway Park.