Cancellation & Refund Policy

The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences (BSNS) reserves the right to cancel, change, or alter any program. This policy covers programs and events at both the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve. The BSNS will make every effort to communicate changes to all parties. Cancellations or changes to a reservation by a participant will be accepted via phone or e-mail and must be received and approved by the stated cancellation deadline.

If the BSNS is closed due to inclement weather, all programs will automatically be cancelled. BSNS weather closings are communicated via the local media outlets and Society websites and social channels. The BSNS will make every reasonable attempt to notify the group contact and reschedule your program. If the program cannot be rescheduled the BSNS will issue a full refund.

MUSEUM GENERAL ADMISSION
BMS admissions are non-refundable. In the event of Museum closure, every effort will be made to reschedule tickets.

MUSEUM SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS
Timed tickets to special exhibitions are non-refundable. Failure to enter the exhibition during your designated time slot may result in a forfeiture of the ticket price paid.

GROUP RESERVATIONS
To ensure the best possible experience for your group, changes to your reservation, including final group numbers, are requested at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled visit. In the case that a group is paying by a pre-issued check, a refund will only be given for payment over the final group number provided. A $25 administrative fee will apply to all refunds.

Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours in advance. The BSNS will then make every reasonable attempt to reschedule your program. If the program cannot be rescheduled, the BSNS will issue a refund. If a cancellation is made less than 48 hours before the scheduled program, a cancellation fee will apply. If your program is cancelled by the BSNS, you will receive a full refund.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Birthday Party deposits are due at the time of booking and are non-refundable. In the case of emergency or other prohibitive circumstances as determined by the BSNS, the BSNS will attempt to reschedule the party to a day and time convenient for both the customer and the BSNS.

DISCOVERY CAMPS
The BSNS will not refund camp program fees for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the start of camp. Cancellations made more than 14 days prior to the start of camp will incur a $25 administrative fee [fee is per child, per week], which will be deducted from the amount refunded.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Due to scheduled staffing, the BSNS is not able to issue refunds for cancellations made less than 7 days prior to the program. Refunds will not be available for registrants who choose not to attend a class/program. If you registered for a program that is cancelled by the BSNS, the BSNS will make every reasonable attempt to reschedule the program. If the program cannot be rescheduled, the BSNS will issue a refund.

Due to the nature of some programs, specifically guided tours and behind the scenes access, late arrivals cannot be accommodated, and tickets cannot be refunded or rescheduled for a future date.

Public programs include: Workshops, SciNights, Tours, Early Childhood Programs, and Family Programs.

EVENT TICKETS
The BSNS does not refund special event or fundraiser event tickets. If the event is cancelled by the BSNS, the BSNS will make every reasonable attempt to reschedule the program. If the program cannot be rescheduled, the BSNS will issue a full refund.

Event tickets include: BubbleFEST, Science After Hours, DinoFEST, Eggstravaganza, Twilight at the Museum, and Sensory Nights.

KELLOGG OBSERVATORY
When available, Kellogg Observatory reservations can only be made day-of, beginning at 10 a.m., and are non-refundable. In the event of poor visibility, the Museum will offer an alternate astronomy experience for visitors, including a tour of the Kellogg Observatory and a planetarium show. Guests will not be allowed on the roof in the event of thunder and lightning.

FACILITY RENTALS
BSNS retains the right to cancel any reservation based on management’s judgment and/or government safety mandates. If BSNS cancels an event the total deposit will be refunded.

• For rentals cancelled by the renter more than 60 days prior to the event, the BSNS retains a portion of the deposit as an administrative fee (rentals $1,000 and over, BSNS retains $350; rentals under $1,000, BSNS retains $250) and the remainder of deposit will be refunded.
• For rentals cancelled by the renter 30 to 60 days prior to the event, the BSNS retains 50% of the deposit and the remainder will be refunded.
• For rentals cancelled less than 30 days prior to the event, BSNS will retain total deposit.

Catering Agreements may have additional stipulations as they are between the Renter and Caterer. Cancellation fees due to the Caterer are responsibility of the Renter.

MEMBERSHIP
BSNS Memberships are non-refundable in whole or in part. Approved discounts can only be applied at the time of purchase. Memberships are not transferable and cannot be applied to children during group visits or birthday parties Adult chaperones using their membership for Museum admission during a group visit must show proof of membership separate from the group at the admissions desk.