$40 per person, for both children and adults

Guests must be seven years or older to participate in the overnight program.

A minimum group size of 15 is required to participate in the program. The maximum number of participants is 100 people.

Check-in time for groups can be as early as 5:00 pm. Groups can determine their own check in time. Groups should factor in set up time for the campsites. Ideally, programming is set to begin at 7:00 pm. Check-out time for the program is by 8:00 am the following day.

The Group Educational Overnight program and cost includes a tour of the historic Meeme House, educational programming, overnight camping space, and all supplies used as part of the experience.

Meals are not provided. It’s recommended that groups eat dinner prior to arrival. Groups are encouraged to bring snacks and water. Groups may bring a bag supper to enjoy prior to the programming.

➢ 5:00 pm: Groups may begin to arrive to set up their camp. Group leaders should let MCHS staff know an approximate arrival time so the group get be greeted and receive instructions upon arrival. Upon arrival to the Historical Society, you will see a sign directing you from the Welcome Center gate to the historic Meeme House. Be prepared with your group’s paperwork to ensure a smooth check-in.

➢ 7:00 pm: Group leaders should check in at the Meeme House.

➢ 7:15 to 7:45 pm: Welcome & Introduction: rules, overview of experience, and background information.

➢ 7:45 to 8:00 pm: Divide into smaller groups for interactive tour rotations.

○ Engagement stations will typically take place from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Rotation length and group size vary on the number of participants. Expect each station to last around 20-30 minutes.

➢ 10:00 pm Group led snack break, get ready for bed.

➢ 11 pm: Lights out/quiet time.

➢ 7 am to 7:30 am: Wake up and clean your sleeping area. Pack up belongings.

➢ 8 am: Overnight program concludes.

Please adhere to the adult-child ratio set out by your organization. For groups without a required ration, the Museum recommends the following ratios:

• 7-8 year-olds—1:2

• 9-12 year-olds—1:4

• 13 and up—1:6

The Museum considers participants 18 years of age and older to be adults. All chaperones/group leaders must be adults. At least one chaperone must stay overnight in each area where youth participants stay to provide supervision. At least one adult chaperone must be awake if any youth participants are awake during the Overnight.

The number of Museum staff working each Overnight depends on the number of participants scheduled for a given night. Overnight Education Staff will remain on site throughout the night. Staff will inform the group where they will be sleeping in case of emergency. Staff are responsible for leading all educational and interpretive programming during the Overnight; chaperones are responsible for providing supervision and discipline. The Manitowoc County Historical Society reserves the right to eject a group at any time for behavior deemed unacceptable or dangerous by the staff.

Groups will set up their own tents for sleeping overnight in the arena, across from the Meeme House.

The Museum does not have a policy on this issue. It’s up to the group to decide whether to overnight males and females together or in separate areas. If your group requires separate overnight areas for each gender, please inform the staff during your registration. It’s the chaperone/group leader’s responsibility to maintain proper behavior and discipline during sleeping time.

There are a few modern outlets available on the grounds but there are not any outlets in the arena open space. It is recommended that guests bring their own extension cord. Notify the staff upon arrival, so they can set you up near an outlet.

Each guest should bring their own sleeping bag and pillow; cot or air mattress is optional. Groups should arrange sleeping tents and spaces as they deem necessary and appropriate.

Participants are advised to dress appropriately for the outside weather; layers are suggested.

Participants are advised to pack minimally. It is recommended that you bring:

● Personal toiletries

● For your safety, we recommend closed-toed shoes, no sandals, flip-flops, or slippers.

● First aid kit. (The museum staff will not dispense any medication. Chaperones and group leaders are responsible for dispensing any medication).

Items NOT permitted during your stay:

● Alcoholic beverages (either on or off premises)

● Knives and weapons

● No smoking on museum grounds.

These items will be considered contraband and will be confiscated and not returned. The Manitowoc County Historical Society staff will make all decisions regarding the legality of items. If you have a question as to the legality of an item, do not bring it. This is done for the safety of your group as well as for the historic structure.

Phones and other electronic devices are allowed only so long as they do not distract from the experience, but outlets are not available for charging in the building. The Museum staff has the right to end the use of any electronic devices at their discretion. The Manitowoc County Historical Society is not responsible for damage, loss, or theft of any personal items and has the right to conduct a gear inspection at the beginning of your stay.

Items NOT permitted during your stay:

• Alcoholic beverages (either on or off premises)

• Knives and weapons

• No smoking—in the Meeme House or on museum grounds.

These items will be considered contraband and will be confiscated and not returned. The Manitowoc County Historical Society staff will make all decisions regarding the legality of items. If you have a question as to the legality of an item, do not bring it. This is done for the safety of your group as well as for the historic structure.

Phones and other electronic devices are allowed at the Meeme House only so long as they do not distract from the experience. The Museum staff has the right to end the use of any electronic devices at their discretion. The Manitowoc County Historical Society is not responsible for damage, loss, or theft of any personal items and has the right to conduct a gear inspection at the beginning of your stay.

The overnight program is typically seasonal and up to the discretion of the group leaders and MCHS staff. The Overnight Program runs every Friday and Saturday. Weekday bookings may also be available upon request.

As a historic structure, many spaces do have limitations for those with disabilities. However, in many cases, visitors with disabilities enjoy full participation in the Overnight Program. Guide animals are permitted. Unfortunately, the site is not fully wheelchair accessible. Please contact the Museum for details on accessibility. Sensory backpacks and headphones are available upon request.

Parking will depend on your group size and program options. Parking is available in the main parking lot, off the McAllister House Welcome Center. Parking may also be available near campsites. The Manitowoc County Historical Society is not responsible for damage or theft of vehicles parked overnight, or their contents. Parking space may be limited, so please carpool if possible. Bus parking is also available. Depending on the size of your group and the modes of transportation used, our Education Coordinator will give you instructions on parking during your overnight experience.

If, for some reason, your group finds it necessary to cancel a visit, your deposit will not be refunded. There is one exception: if you notify the Museum at least 60 days in advance of your scheduled visit and at that time reschedule your visit for a later available date within one year of the initial reservation date, the Museum will apply your deposit to the new date.

On very rare occasions, inclement weather may cause conditions hazardous enough for the Museum to close site. In such cases, every effort will be made to provide scheduled groups with advance notice so that they can reschedule their visit. The safety of participants and staff is the Museum’s paramount concern. Please understand that this is a major factor in decision-making should an Overnight be canceled due to severe weather. The Manitowoc County Historical Society will not be responsible for any other inconveniences or consequences arising from the cancellation of a group’s visit. It is suggested that groups check the local forecast for Manitowoc and surrounding areas before departing for their Overnight. Should the group have concerns about a possible cancellation, a group representative should contact the Museum on the date of the overnight to discuss the group’s concerns.

Restrooms are located on the first floor inside the Meeme House. Group bathroom breaks are taken at regular intervals throughout the Program. Shower facilities are not available for groups.

Any participants feeling unwell during an Overnight should alert a group leader or Overnight staff member immediately. It’s the group’s responsibility to bring their own first aid kit and medications for participants. Participants requiring refrigeration of prescription medicines will be accommodated.

Participants wishing to leave the program at any time are free to do so. Youth participants cannot leave without being escorted by a chaperone. Participants choosing to leave the Museum property will not be re-admitted to the Overnight and will not be refunded their registration fee.

The site is a living history museum with irreplaceable historic structures. Violation of ANY safety procedures will be grounds for ejection from the site. The Manitowoc County Historical Society and its staff are not responsible for any expenses of the person or group associated with ejection or voluntary departure from the overnight experience.

Each group is required to bring their own first aid kit, however, the museum does have first aid supplies and an AED unit.