It has been said by every generation that you learn by doing. Hands-on education is the key-word in today’s university classrooms where the teachers of tomorrow are being trained. And in teaching a course on World War II history and the United States’ island-hopping campaign across the Pacific, or the Battle of the Atlantic where the threat of German U-boats loomed constantly, what better way to apply a hands-on approach than to take a field trip to the USS KIDD, a vessel which actually participated in those events?
Let your students see where a Japanese kamikaze pilot crashed his plane into the ship, the conditions that their grandfathers lived in, and the dangers a U-boat posed to a ship with a hull only three-eighths of an inch thick.
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Includes guided tour of the USS Kidd and self-guided tour of the museum. Time spent shopping should be considered in setting your itinerary so as to avoid running late to your next stop. There are a limited number of tours allowed on the ship at a time. Our maximum tour size is 35 people. Please keep in mind that your guides have been scheduled specifically for your tour. If your group is running behind schedule, please give us advance warning by calling ahead so that we can plan this delay around the arrival of other groups and functions.
Those groups looking for dates in the spring and summer should call ahead as soon as possible in order to determine if the desired time and date are available. A $100 nonrefundable deposit is required to confirm your tour date. This deposit will go toward the final balance due for the tour. All tours will be considered tentative until the deposit is received. If the deposit is not received within 10 days of making your reservation, we will reopen the date for booking.
A minimum of 20 people are required. Adequate adult supervision is also required; at least one (1) adult per every ten (10) children. Greater supervision by adults is needed for younger age groups for matters of safety.
Adult (ages 13-59) – $14 per person
Child – $10 per person
Military (ID required) – $12 per person
Senior (60 and older) – $12 per person
Hours of operation are 9:30am to 3:30pm through out the week. Group tours are staggered throughout the day, so please be prepared with secondary preferences for days and times. Group tours can be scheduled between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
If your group would like to cancel, please notify us as soon as possible to cancel an existing reservation. Deposits are nonrefundable.
The age range of your class should be taken into consideration when booking your tour. Younger children may have trouble navigating the ladders aboard ship. Main Deck Tours are possible in such cases, as well as Museum-Only Tours. Each child age 4 and younger should be accompanied by an adult.
We are delighted that you have chosen the USS KIDD for your adventure! Please keep in mind that this ship was built in 1942 before modern day safety practices were in effect. The ladders are steep, the decks can be slippery, and a lot of equipment is literally underfoot. In short, everyone needs to be attentive to potential hazards while aboard and observe all of the rules. Please distribute these rules to your parents and review with your students before your visit. For your convenience, a printable PDF version of the rules is available at the link below.
Enhance your field trip with our affordable overnight camping option.
Download our Preschool Activity Suggestions for help engaging even your youngest learners.
The USS Kidd Veterans Museum and ship tour make for great lessons in classrooms of all ages. From high schoolers learning about WWII history to elementary students learning about the science of flotation and tides in the Mississippi River, the right hands-on lesson is in reach at the USS KIDD.
To get you started, we’ve prepared a range of resources that introduce students to the ship in the classroom. Prep for your field trip or use these resources even when you can’t make it out to see us. Our virtual ship tour is also great for familiarizing students with what to expect onsite. If you’re looking for a teaching concept you don’t see below, contact our Education Outreach Coordinator and ask! He might already have something in mind or know just how to connect the dots for you.
Find corresponding Lesson Activity Sheets in the section above.
Introduce students to our ship and build excitement with our virtual tour.
While our ship is away the Museum is open. See our page Overhaul 2024/2025 on this website for further details regarding the ship.