Membership: Frequently Asked Questions

Membership is an ideal way for individuals and families to enjoy all The Discovery Center has to offer at great savings, all year long.
Members receive additional benefits not offered to the public: special invitations to Member Nights, exhibition sneak previews, special events, advance registration for summer camp; and special discounts on programs, and Discovery Center Gift Shop purchases. Plus, members joining The Discovery Center at a $100 level or more also receive free admission to more than 165 other children’s museums belonging to the Association of Children’s Museums reciprocal program.
Join today by purchasing your memebership online or call (607) 773-8661, ext. 204.

You can join or renew at the Discovery Center front desk during your next visit, or by calling (607) 773-8661 ext 204, or by renewing online.

Gift membership forms are available at the Discovery Center's front desk, or you can purchase a gift membership online by downloading a membership application on our web site, or you can call us at (607) 773-8661 ext. 204.

Gifts can be made in person when you purchase or renew your membership at the Discovery Center's Front Desk. Gifts can be made when you purchase or renew your membership online by downloading a membership form or on your renewal form that is mailed to you also includes a gift line. Click here to use your credit card to make a gift to The Discovery Center.
Individuals making gifts of $100 or more will receive a complimentary Discovery Center membership.
Many Discovery Center members choose to support the museum with an additional gift when they purchase or renew their membership. Membership and general admission dollars cover less than half of the cost of running the museum, and the additional gifts made by our members make up the difference. Additional information about making a gift to the Discovery Center is available by calling (607) 773-8661 ext 204.

We strive to process all permanent membership cards within 10 business days, but sometimes due to high volume it can take up to 3-4 weeks. Your new permanent membership card will be available for pick up at our Front Desk at your next visit.  Your membership receipt will be accepted until your card is ready.

Memberships are active immediately upon purchase.  You will receive a receipt for your paid membership and your membership card will be available at the front desk when you next visit.  Our membership database is updated weekly. The computers at the admission desk are a mirror site of our main database. During busy times of the year it may take longer for your name to be entered into the database and be reflected at the front desk. As long as you have either a receipt for your paid membership or a current, permanent membership card, you will be admitted.

Memberships are good for one full year from the date of purchase. If you are renewing, please be assured that your new membership year will be activated when your current membership expires. There is never a penalty for renewing early.

Family memberships extend to parents and their children residing in the same household. One adult cardholder must be present for free member admission to apply, and must accompany children ages 16 and under during a visit.

Discovery Center memberships and member benefits are not transferable to other individuals or organizations. One adult person listed on the membership card must be present when visiting. Family Plus memberships allow you to bring two guests per visit. (Please note that this benefit may not apply at other museums.) With the Family Plus membership, at least one adult cardholder must be present when visiting.

Grandparent memberships require that the grandparent listed on the card be present when visiting. Grandparents are allowed to bring their grandchildren and their grandchildren's parents when they visit.
If you are a grandparent looking for a membership level that would allow your child and their children to visit with or without you, we suggest that you purchase your grandchildren's parents a gift membership at the Family Plus level.

When you join The Discovery Center at or above the $100 level, your membership card grants you free general admission to more than 165 Children’s museums that participate in the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) reciprocal program.  Special exhibits may not be included - admission prices for these special offerings are decided by the individual museums.  To find a museum near your travel destination, visit the ACM website or call our Membership Office at (607) 773-8661, ext. 204. Please call ahead to your destination museum to confirm your benefits.
We have made special reciprocal arrangements with the following nearby museums:
Ithaca Sciencenter – Ithaca, NY
Sci-Tech Center of Northern New York – Watertown, NY
Utica Children's Museum - Utica, NY
The Science Discovery Center of Oneonta - Oneonta, NY

Individual memberships are non-transferable and may not be used to offset the cost of field trips or group visits. The Discovery Center offers discounted group rates for school classes and groups that make prior arrangements to visit the museum. For more information on group rates, call (607) 773-8661 ext 201.

You can name up to two adults who reside in the same household on a membership. We do not put children's names on membership cards for security reasons (in case the card gets lost or stolen). Adults living at separate addresses cannot be named on a single membership.

The Discovery Center now offers families a Caregiver Card, to cover admission for nannies that escort your children to the museum.
Caregiver Card information:
Cost: $10; (free for members at the Contributing level or above)
The caregiver must present both the Caregiver Card and the family's Membership card at the time of admission
You must have a current Discovery Center membership to participate in the Caregiver Card Program
The caregiver must be at least 16 years old
Each family will receive one Caregiver Card
The Caregiver Card is linked to your membership and is not transferable to other individuals or families
The Caregiver Card does not entitle your caregiver to your member discounts on programs or store purchases
The Caregiver Card is valid up to 12 months and is valid for the duration of your membership If the caregiver Card is lost, there is a $5 replacement fee
The Caregiver Card benefit does not apply to other museums
To sign up for your Caregiver Card, please call our Membership Office at 773-8661, ext. 204.

You will be required to turn in your membership cards before new cards can be issued. The names listed on a membership may be changed if there has been a change in the family's circumstances, such as a death, a move, or a change in relationship status. Please notify the Membership Office if requesting a name change call 607-773-8661, ext. 204 or email pr@thediscoverycenter.org

If you have recently changed your address, please contact the Membership Office at 607-773-8661, ext. 204 or email us at pr@thediscoverycenter.org with your new address and we will be happy to update your record.

Discovery Center memberships are annual, and are not available for less than a year. Memberships also cannot be deferred or "paused" if you leave the area for a period of time. If you are moving or leaving the area temporarily, your Discovery Center membership at the ACM level moves with you, allowing you to visit more than 165 children’s museums in North America.

The best way to stay completely up-to-date is to receive our monthly E-News and Events Calendar by providing us with your email address. If we do not have your email address, you may be missing some great opportunities for family fun! Contact the Membership Office at 607-773-8661, ext. 204 or email us at pr@thediscoverycenter.org with your email address today!

Memberships are revocable licenses. The Discovery Center reserves the right to refuse or revoke membership and/or deny admission without refund for non-compliance with applicable rules and terms or for inappropriate conduct. Purchase of an annual membership does not entitle purchaser to renewal in a subsequent year. Membership levels, benefits, and prices are subject to change.

Your membership entitles you and those listed on your membership to receive discounts on programs (including summer camps and programs) and store purchases. Your membership cannot be used to obtain discounts for other relatives (cousins, nieces, nephews) or friends. Grandparents with Grandparent memberships may use their membership discount for their grandchildren's participation in a program, providing they are purchasing the program.
Your membership must be current to obtain discounts on programs.

Just email pr@thediscoverycenter.org or call the Membership Office at (607) 773-8661, ext. 204 and let us know that you need new cards. We will send a new set to you within approximately 1-2 weeks.

By presenting your membership card, we can process your admission quickly. However, you may gain admission to The Discovery Center without your card, providing you present identification to our front desk greeter when you visit. You are required to have your membership card when visiting participating ACM museums for free admission to apply.

At the Family Plus level, a member can bring two guests for free each time they visit. (Please note that this benefit may not apply at other museums.)
At other member levels, you need to pay regular admission for guests.

Generally, member events are for members only. If an event notice or invitation specifically mentions that guests are permitted, members are welcome to bring them along.

Contact Gwen Iversen, Volunteer Coordinator at 773-8661, ext. 202. Or by email volunteer@thediscoverycenter.org

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