Program FAQs

The Poe Center provides health education programs to pre-scheduled groups. Reservations are required to participate in programs.

Unable to attend a program but still want to experience the Poe Center? The Poe Center’s very own PlayWELL Park is open to the public during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), weather permitting. Reservations are not required to visit the park.

In addition, the Poe Center hosts events and activities throughout the year that are open to the public. Visit our calendar for upcoming events.

Yes. We can schedule your child to join a group scheduled for the same program(s) you are interested in, either online or in-person at the Poe Center.

The cost of attending one program is $15 per participant or $20 per participant for two programs on the same day.

Ready to register to join a scheduled program? Call (919) 231-4006 or email the Poe Center’s scheduling director.

Due to the capacity of our teaching theaters and safety regulations, only a limited number of adults will be allowed to sit in on a given program. This capacity limit includes teachers, parents, and other chaperones.

Once a theater reaches capacity, chaperones will not be able to attend the programs. Chaperones are invited to enjoy other areas of the Poe Center while waiting for their student.

If your group is above capacity a $15.00 fee may be charged for each adult in attendance.

Please note: This policy does not apply to PlayWELL Park. All guests, chaperones, and visitors are welcome to visit the park. Weather permitting, PlayWELL Park is open to the public during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Reservations are not required to visit. 

Upon arrival, please press the doorbell located to the right of the front doors.

Every adult will need to complete the Visitors’ Check-In form at the front desk and wear a visitors sticker.

Due to the capacity of our teaching theaters and safety regulations, only a limited number of adults will be allowed to sit in on a given program. This limit includes teachers, parents, and other chaperones. If your group is above capacity a $15.00 fee may be charged for each adult in attendance.

No, the Poe Center does not have a vending machine or gift shop. We do offer coffee in the atrium for a suggested $1.00 donation.

The Poe Center offers a free-standing Sensory Nook for children and other visitors, providing a quiet, calming space to recover from sensory overload. Learn more about our Sensory Nook in our press release.

In addition, the Poe Center also provides sensory kits containing carefully curated educational activities. These kits are specifically designed for students needing quiet alternative learning activities during field trip programs.

The Poe Center programs are specifically designed to align with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Healthful Living and Science Essential Standards.

Each program on our website will display the specific standard that it fulfills.

After a program has been formally scheduled, an invoice will be generated and emailed to your organization. This invoice calculated based upon the exact number of participants in attendance. No deposit is required prior to programming.

You may pay online using a credit card or direct debit from a bank account.

We also accept payment in the form of a check. You can either present the check upon arrival to your scheduled program at the Poe Center or mail it to us.

If you bring a check upon arrival to your scheduled program that is made out for an estimated number of participants, please note:

• We will not provide a refund if fewer participants attend.
• If additional participants attend, we will generate an invoice for those participants not covered by the check.

We make every attempt to respond to program requests within 7 business days. In some instances, an online scheduling request may be blocked by a firewall.

If you do not hear from us after 7 business days, please call 919-231-4006 or email the Poe Center’s scheduling director.

Upon arrival, please press the doorbell located to the right of the front doors.

Every teacher will need to check in at the front desk.

• The lead teacher will sign in on the binder at the front desk
• All other teachers and chaperones will complete the online Visitor’s check-in and wear a visitors sticker

If your group will be split (e.g., Group A, Group B), please be prepared to divide your group as you see fit (e.g., by class, grade level, etc.).

If you are arriving by bus, please park in the bus lanes located on both sides of the driveway, directly in front of our main entrance.

Chaperones driving separately are welcome to park in any available parking spots on site, on the side of Kidd Road, or at the post office across the street.

If you are delayed, please call the Poe Center at 919-231-4006 as soon as possible.

We may have to revise your schedule for the day if you arrive late. The Poe Center frequently hosts multiple schools and organizations on the same day, so it is important to stay on schedule.

Yes. Most groups choose to have lunch at PlayWELL Park. We have two covered picnic areas with several tables for groups to use. Recycling and trash cans are located next to each picnic area for your use and convenience.

If weather conditions are not appropriate for picnic-style lunch, we can make arrangements for your group to eat indoors.

Please arrange to host our program(s) in a space large enough to fit all participants comfortably. We recommend securing a room with a projection screen or blank white wall, a desk or small table, and easy access to electrical outlets.

Poe Center Health educator(s) typically arrive 45-60 minutes prior to the start of the first program to allow time for signing-in and setting-up.

Some of our programs may require Internet access. Please be prepared to assist our Health Educator with logging into your WiFi connection.

In the event a Poe Center Health Educator requests a media cart, please make arrangements beforehand to have one available.

The Poe Center’s online programs are presented with live and feature interactive activities, such as polls, chats, movement games, active discussions, breakout groups, and more.

Upon scheduling an online program, please indicate which platform you prefer (Zoom, Google Meet, or another application). Within 48 hours of your scheduled program, the Poe Center will coordinate a link/calendar invitation for our health educators and your participants to join at the scheduled time.

We promise the same great content, enthusiastic staff and engaging activities that make the “Poe Experience” so valuable, unique, and effective.

Learn more about online programs here.

The Cranium Connection is an interactive, walk-in brain exhibit and video presentation about the wonders of the brain. This exhibit is housed in the lobby of the Poe Center and is representative of a twelve-foot-tall human head. The interior features a rounded cave-like 20 by 20-foot space with decorative lighting to simulate veins and nerves.

Visitors view a brain-health education program through two monitors at the front of the theater, which are located where the eyes would be. Nerf balls shoot at the audience during the program to demonstrate the reactions of the nervous system to stimuli. Learn more here.

At the time of scheduling, you may include a visit to the Cranium Connection with your request. The 15-minute presentation is most appropriate for ages 6-12. Alternatively, you may schedule time exploring the Poe Centers’ independent learning exhibits located around the Cranium Connection for groups which may be too young for the presentation or choose not to participate.

The Cranium Connection and WakeMed’s PlayWELL Park playground are available at no additional charge.

You may bring a cooler or lunch boxes to store in our atrium. We have space near the entryway of the building. If you would like a rolling cart to carry lunch boxes to the park, one can be provided for you.