Lancaster, PA (April 13, 2021) – Hands-on House Children’s Museum of Lancaster today announced the creation of new annual museum membership program. SNAP Memberships are a discounted membership available to families receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. At a cost of $48, this annual membership replicates a Hands-on House Membership, offering admission for up to 4 named children from the same household, two adults and a guest, and includes discounts for Art and STEM classes, special events, and summer camp.
The concept of the SNAP membership was based on the ongoing success of the Museums for All admission program. In 2019, Hands-on House joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits. Under program guidelines, families receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits may visit Hands-on House for $3 per person, for up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. In 2020, more than 900 adults and children visited Hands-on House through this reduced-admission initiative.
The first 30 SNAP Memberships are funded, in part, by a gift from the Georgelis family of Lancaster. The program launches today, Tuesday, April 13, in conjunction with Celebrate Mason, a day of free admission at Hands-on House to honor the birthday of Mason Georgelis, the late son of Dr. George and Mindy Georgelis of Lancaster. Mason’s Active Adventure Garden at Hands-on House was created in 2011 and is maintained through an ongoing gift from the Georgelis family to remember Mason and to provide a place for families to play actively together.