Family Access FAQs

Family Access Membership FAQs 

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What is a Family Access Membership?

The Family Access Membership is a reduced-cost 1-year membership to the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, available to income-eligible families receiving assistance from the government or a social service organization. These memberships are available through the generosity of our Family Access sponsors and committed donors.

Who is covered under a Family Access Membership?

The Access Membership provides free general admission for 1 year to the parent, their spouse/partner living in the same home and their dependent child(ren). Members may also bring any related adults as free guests as long as the member children are present, and one free unrelated adult guest. Free admission is not available to members during blackout dates for fundraising events like Snow Days, or for admission to birthday parties.

Who is not free with my membership?

Regular admission rates apply for all non-member children accompanying you, such as friends of your children, your nieces or nephews, or any other non-dependent children. While the first unrelated adult guest is free, regular admission rates also apply to any additional unrelated adults accompanying you or your children.

How do I apply for a Family Access Membership?

To apply for an Access Membership, please submit a completed Access application and proof of eligibility either in person at the Front Desk or by mail. If you are mailing in your application, please mail to:

Family Access Membership
Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
1835 W. Steele Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

What is the cost for this membership and when do I pay it?

The Family Access Membership is available for a minimum of $20, but we ask that families give as much as they are able.  Families able to pay a little more will allow us to serve more families that cannot afford to pay regular membership rates.  The reduced-rate membership is made possible by the generous gifts from supporters of our Museum Access For All initiative.

Once your application is approved, you will be notified by phone or email and have 2 weeks to pay the membership fee to activate your membership.  If the fee is not paid, your application will be put back on the waitlist until the next review period.  If approved twice and not paid, your application will be considered withdrawn.

What documents can I submit to show that I qualify for a Family Access Membership?

  • WIC (copy of front cover and appointment list)

  • CalFresh/SNAP (dated letter only; do not submit EBT card)

  • Medi-Cal/Medicaid (dated letter only; do not submit MEDI-CAL card)

  • Free/Reduced Cost School Lunch (dated letter for current school year)

  • Cal WORKS/TANF (dated letter)

  • CHIP (dated letter)

  • Section 8 (dated letter)

  • HEAP/LIEA (dated letter or statement)

  • Licensed foster parent (dated letter)

  • Other government/social service organization (dated letter)

How long will it take to process my application? How will I know if my application has been approved?

Approval of application is dependent on the availability of funds for the program and on the number of applications currently on the waitlist for review.  For this reason, there is a 4-8 week waiting period between submitting your application and completion of review. If your application is approved, you will be notified either by phone or email (be sure to check your spam folders).

I have submitted my application for the Access Membership; I would like to visit the museum while I wait for an approval notice. Do I still have to pay general admission? Are there any discounts?

Until your application has been reviewed and approved, admission is required to visit the museum. General admission is $12 per person, age 1 year and up.  If you are an EBT cardholder, you may show your EBT card and photo ID at the Front Desk to receive the discounted admission rate of $2 per person, for up to 6 people.  For other discounts, please see our Hours and Admission page.

My application has just been approved. What are the check-in procedures?

For your first visit as a member, please present your photo ID at the Front Desk and our helpful staff will provide you with information on your membership and how to obtain member cards.

Am I able to re-apply for a Family Access Membership?  When?

Yes. To renew your Access Membership, please submit a new completed Access application and new proof of eligibility either in person at the Front Desk or by mail.  

I do not receive any assistance from the government or a social service organization but cannot afford the regular membership price. Am I eligible to apply for the Family Access Membership?

If you do not receive assistance, but cannot afford the cost of membership, you may submit a letter in place of the verification, summarizing your current situation and the barriers preventing your family from visiting the museum.  These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What if I do not qualify for the Family Access Membership? Are there any general admission discounts offered?

  • The Museum offers a rate of $9 for each Senior (age 62+), for each Military adult with ID, and for each teacher with CTA card, school ID or other verification.  

  • If you are a member at another children’s museum that is a part of the ACM Reciprocal Network, you can show your current member card and photo ID to receive 50% off your admission for up to 6 people.

  • Members of the Schulz Museum or the Snoopy’s Home Ice Arena receive $1 off daily admission for up to four people; member card and photo ID are required.

  • EBT cardholders may present their photo ID and EBT card at the Front Desk to receive admission for up to 6 people at $2 per person.

  • Certain discounts do not apply on select blackout dates such as Snow Days.


For more assistance please email: members@cmosc.org or call (707) 546-4069

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