Plan a Program

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

Message from Executive Director Ann Rollins:

The Poe Center announces new fees effective Monday, October 20, 2025.

Thank you for your continued partnership—we’re grateful to serve you!

Schedule Your Program

Already know what programs you want to book? Submit your request on the scheduling form below.

Schedule Now

Plan a Program - Four Easy Steps

  1. Select your programs.
      • Explore our Educational Topics to learn more about the programs the Poe Center offers.
        OR
      • Search the Program Directory by grade or audience plus topic areas to generate a list of programs that meets your needs.
  2. Plan TWO programs and save.
    You save money when you book two or more programs for the same visit. Click here for details on program rates and fees.
  3. Determine Your Dates & Location. We are flexible.
      • Dates – Send us three options. We will find a time on the schedule that works best for you.
      • Location – Programs may be presented at the Poe Center, in your classroom or location, or live online. The choice is yours.
  4. Let us know if you have any questions or special requests. All programs may be adapted to meet your needs. Email the Poe Center’s Scheduling/Operations Director Amanda Bodenheimer. Our programs can be:
      • Tailored for any age group and adapted to correspond with a specific curriculum.
      • Adjustable for length and content.
      • Available online via multiple platforms, including Zoom, Google Meet, and others applications as needed.

“As a Wake County native, I remember going to Poe in 7th grade to learn in the family life theater. It was a great honor to take my 11 year-old-son on a field trip to Poe. He was so engaged with the exhibits and theaters, and he learned about what he can do to have proper nutrition and dental health, and why it matters. I'm grateful for the Poe Center's work.”

How to Schedule a Program

Submit our online form below. We will review your request and do our best to schedule your first choice preferences. Please request a date at least 3-4 weeks from the submission date.

Parents, chaperones and staff can accompany groups at no charge (within the limits established at the time of scheduling).

Have a small group of 3 or less? Email the Poe Center’s Scheduling/Operations Director Amanda Bodenheimer to discuss joining a currently scheduled group.

Program Costs for Schools & Non-Profit Organizations*

The Poe Center offers the following discounted rates for schools and non-profit organizations.

All other interested groups should complete the form below for a customized quote.

Discounted Rates for Schools & Non-Profit Organizations:

The standard fee for a field trip to the Poe Center or for our staff to come to your location is outlined below.

Other rates and stipulations may apply. Please complete the form below for a customized quote.

Book Two Programs and Save

Two Programs*: 

    • $18.00 per participant (for groups with 25 or more participants)
    • $450.00 per group (for groups with less than 25 participants)

*Programs must be delivered on the same day to the same group of participants.

One Program:

    • $10.00 per participant (for groups with 25 or more participants)
    • $250.00 per group (for groups with less than 25 participants)

Included with your field trip:

    • Groups visiting the Poe Center can have a fun adventure in the Cranium Connection, and play at WakeMed’s PlayWELL Park playground at no additional charge.
    • All bookings include exclusive access to the Poe Center’s virtual field trip website, the Poe Universe, which features a wide variety of original educational content, including augmented reality, videos, and games, designed to supplement programs.

Preschool Groups

30-minute preschool program fees are as follows:

Two Programs*:

    • $16.00 per participant (for groups with 25 or more participants)
    • $400.00 per group (for groups with less than 25 participants)

*Programs must be delivered on the same day to the same group of participants.

One Program:

    • $9.00 per participant (for groups with 25 or more participants)
    • $225.00 per group (for groups with less than 25 participants)

Cancellation Policy

A cancellation fee may apply. Program fees are non-refundable but may be applied toward sessions that are rescheduled within a 12-month period. There is no additional fee for rescheduling, but sessions must be completed within 12 months of their originally scheduled date.

Offsite Fees

    • A $30.00 Offsite Processing Fee will apply to all offsite programming.
    • A small travel charge will apply and is based upon the Standard Mileage Rate issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

General Information

Please provide all requested information. An incomplete form will delay the processing time.

If you are scheduling Family Life programming, and will have more than 50 participants, please note in the Comments/Question section if you prefer to split your group by gender or by classrooms.

Please Note: For safety reasons, GrowWELL Garden programs are limited to a maximum of 25 participants at one time. Larger groups will need to be split.


     

    Visiting the Poe CenterHaving the Poe Center visit our siteOnline - ZoomOnline - Google MeetI'm not sure

    Please Note: Some programs may not be available as an online option. The Scheduling/Operations Director will notify you of any conflicts and assist in selecting online programs to meet your needs.

     

    Program Choices

    Please select the program(s) you would like to schedule.

     

     

    Dates

    Please request a date at least 3-4 weeks from the submission date. We will do our best to schedule your first choice date, but we will not always be able to do so. Please have alternative dates ready. If you are scheduling for multiple dates, please let us know in the comment box.

    Cranium ConnectionPlayWell Park Playground

    PlayWELL Park: Appropriate for elementary only. Picnic facilities are available, if you would like to bring lunch.

     

    Please Note: Only click "Submit" one time.

    Clicking “Submit” more than once may delay your submission. After clicking “Submit” please be patient as the page processes your submission and reloads the webpage. This process will take several seconds to complete.

    Submitting your scheduling request multiple times will delay the process to complete your request. Our scheduling coordinator receives a high volume of requests daily, and unnecessary duplicated requests will slow the process of reviewing incoming requests.

    If you do not receive a response to your scheduling request within (7) business days please call (919) 231-4006 or contact Amanda Bodenheimer. Some firewalls will block your request and it may not reach the Poe Center. We apologize for any inconvenience if this occurs with your scheduling request.

      • A $30.00 Offsite Processing Fee will apply to all offsite programming.
      • A small travel charge will apply and is based upon the Standard Mileage Rate issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

    Program FAQs

    Our most frequently asked questions and everything you need to know about Poe’s programs.

    Frequently Asked Questions ›

    “[Our] Health educator was full of energy, engaging, knowledgeable, and professional. My students have a new view on healthy food choices.”

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    “I like to bring my class to Poe because my students get great programs and can play on the playground in one convenient location. It’s an affordable and manageable field trip.”