SCHOOL AND YOUTH GROUP TOURS
Guidelines
We are pleased to offer nonprofit youth group's admission into Hoover Dam's Visitor Center for a fee of $2.00 per youth and escort. Tours are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Admission to the self-guided Discovery Tour consists of a live presentation describing the contributions of the Bureau of Reclamation to the American Southwest, exhibit gallery with numerous multimedia displays, a presentation in the Nevada wing of the power plant with eight huge generators, a presentation on the observation deck of the Visitor Center which provides a panoramic view of Lake Mead and the Colorado River, a presentation at the winged figures, entrance into the old exhibit building, and presentation at the Nevada intake tower. Nonprofit youth groups include educational groups (K through 12th grade, or age equivalent) recognized by a Federal, State or local government; nonprofit youth groups belonging to recognized clubs, i.e., Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, etc., with an educational or badge requirement; and church groups.
THE TOUR
You and your group will receive a Powerplant Tour of the world-famous Hoover Dam. A representative of Hoover Dam will meet you and your group at the Visitor Center ticket counter. As you descend in the elevator to the power plant level your guide will present safety tips. Visitors are prohibited from eating, smoking, or drinking beverages, except bottled water, while in the Visitor Center or exhibit buildings. Additionally, there are no bathrooms available while in the power plant, so hygienic needs should be taken care of while at the parking garage or in the Visitor Center.
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION
An educational "learning packet" (see links in left margin) provides background information about Hoover Dam and the surrounding area. It includes learning activities to promote understanding of Hoover Dam's impact on the environment and its technical and historical significance for the United States. The student activities may be used either alone or in conjunction with a visit to the dam. Please feel free to reproduce and share the information in this packet.
GROUP SIZE
A maximum of 240 students per group is permitted. If a group is less than 20, an accommodation will be made to include the group on a Discovery Tour with other visitors. One (1) adult escort per 10 students is requested. Additional escorts beyond the 1:10 ratio pay the full price of a Discovery Tour.
PARKING
School buses and vans identified on the application will have complimentary parking in the parking garage. Private automobiles may be restricted or charged for parking.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Tour reservations for educational groups are made on a first-received, first-accepted basis. Reservations should be made 90 days in advance of the preferred tour date because of the large number of requests for tours; note: Hoover Dam is closed on Christmas day and Thanksgiving day.
ARRANGING A TOUR
- Download the tour application form (Adobe Acrobat
file - 31 KB). To expedite your approval, please fax your application and include alternate dates and times. Each reservation will be confirmed in writing.
- Fax the completed form to:
Vegas.com - Hoover Dam Reservations
Fax: 702-494-2509
Or e-mail to:
hooverdam@vegas.com
- If the group cannot be accommodated, a Vegas.com reservationist
will call the Group Coordinator to discuss options.
- Cash or credit cards are accepted.
Because of the high volume of vehicular traffic and high volume of visitors, School and Youth Group tours may not be available May 1 through August 31.
NAME TAGS
We encourage the use of nametags affixed to all group members indicating their name and the name of the school or organization. This will ensure the group member is reunited if separated from the group.
PLANNING YOUR DEPARTURE
An average of 14,000 vehicles cross the dam daily, often resulting in long traffic delays. Please allow sufficient time for your transportation to arrive at the facility no less than 15 minutes prior to your tour departure time. You can obtain information regarding road conditions and security restrictions by calling toll free 888-248-1259. For directions to the dam click here.
VISITOR SAFETY
Students/young guests should stay close enough to the adults in their group to hear them speak in a normal voice. The escort should lead the way with the students following. Another escort should follow the group as a trailer to ensure the group stays together. Listen to the tour guide and follow all of his/her instructions. Please stay with your tour group at all times.
Use sidewalks and paved walkways while moving around the dam. Please walk and do not take short cuts by crossing the street without using a crosswalk.
Young people often desire to climb on benches, fences, exhibit barriers, guard rails, some of the objects along the tour route, or even onto the canyon walls. These objects are unsafe for such activities and we ask visitors to avoid any climbing. Staying on the paved walkways will help prevent the temptation to climb.
The tour is not recommended for people with claustrophobia.
Due to security restrictions, the tour may be cancelled at any time with minimum notice. Should this occur, the Youth Group Coordinator will be contacted as soon as possible and a refund provided.
We look forward to serving you.
Last Reviewed: 4/8/2008