We have gotten the information regarding overnight camping on the USS Kidd & wanted to share the details with you. We have a reservation, so we will be the only group that is on the ship for this date. They are currently only doing one group per night at this time due to Covid. We have to a minimum of 20 people, but can have 75.Date: Saturday, June 19, 2021
Admission: $30.00 per person for all those ages 6 & up. All participants must be at least six years of age or older.
Packing List: Pack light! The more luggage you bring, the moe you have to carry. The ladders are nearly 70-degrees in angle & you have to move your gear up & down several ladders. Please be aware that there are no closets aboard ship to stow your gear. Large, bulky suitcases shoudl not be considered. Personal eletronic equipment should be left at home as the ship's electrical systems were not designed for modern electronic devices (i.e. radio, CD or MP3 players, hair dryers, curling irons, etc.)
Suggested Supplies:
Sleeping bag
Extra blanket (in cold weather)
Personal Toiletries
Shower shoes, towel & washcloth (if showering)
Change of clothes & comfortable sleepwear
Flashlight
Tennis Shoes
Personal medications
Footwear: Visitors should not wear any open-toed or high-heeled shoes aboard ship. High-heels could cause a fall and sprain or break an ankle. Open-toed shoes do not provide adequate protection to your feet when climbing ladders or walking through water-tight doors and hatches and could result in torn or broken toe(s). Group leaders: please discuss this safety issue with everyone in your group before arrival.
Food & Drinks: All groups should eat a full meal (dinner) prior to arriving at the USS KIDD for their Overnight. No food or drinks are allowed onboard ship. Exceptions can be made for medical conditions. Campers are allowed bottled water on board. Keep all food and drink items in 1-2 large ice chests for the group; not in individual luggage. If placed in individual luggage, you will be required to remove it before going aboard ship. Ice chests can be stored in the Museum kitchen. No glass containers of any kind allowed for safety reasons NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES of any kind are allowed aboard ship. There are no exceptions to this and violation of this standard will result in immediate dismissal and removal from the premises.
Bunking Arrangements: There are five (5) berthing compartments aboard the USS KIDD with varied numbers of bunks in each space. Your space will be assigned to you upon your arrival and will depend upon the size of your group. Groups do not have to be all-male or all-female. However, some organizations require separate berthing for males and females. The sleeping compartments are air conditioned and/or heated for the comfort of our guests. Keep all valuables (cameras, purses, wallets, etc.) with you at all times. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Shower facilities are available but you must provide your own soap, towels and washcloths. It is best to shower prior to bedtime, as time is limited for such activities during the morning.
Inclement Weather: Sometimes, the weather just won’t cooperate. In the event of rain, you may wish to stay out of the weather and reverse our itinerary (i.e. tour the museum at night and tour the ship in the morning). This allows several hours during the night for the weather to clear. While heavy rains and lightning are a safety consideration, this will not prohibit you from sleeping aboard ship.
Parking: Parking is available curbside in front of the museum. Space is limited. Carpooling is of tremendous value. Additional parking is available in nearby parking garages at the Baton Rouge River Center and the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino, the All-Right Parking surface lot at the corner of St. Philip Street and South Blvd. Some of these facilities may require a fee. The USS KIDD assumes no liability for losses of or damages to any vehicle.
Program Itinerary & Activities:
The Overnight program can begin at 6:00 p.m. on the night of your stay and typically ends at 8:30 a.m. on the following morning. The museum and ship are closed to public touring between 6:00 p.m and 8:30 a.m. during your stay. On the night of your stay, plan to arrive between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Your tour guide(s) will meet you at the museum during this time.
DAY 1
6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Overnight groups arrive at museum.
7:00 p.m. Orientation & Safety briefing.
7:45 ~ 8:15 p.m. Flag lowering and folding ceremony. Move gear to the KIDD, stow food items in Museum kitchen, get settled into bunks, and conduct fire drill.
8:15 ~ 9:30 p.m. Guided tour of the USS KIDD – your guide(s) will take you on an extensive tour where you will learn all about life aboard a World War II ship and learn about the role that destroyers played in battle. You’ll also learn about Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd and why the KIDD’s crew became known as “the Pirates of the Pacific.”
9:30 p.m. ~ 12:00 a.m. Free period — Groups can decide if they would like to return to the Museum to eat snacks at this time or explore the ship on their own. At all times we require the use of the Buddy System. Adults must have constant supervision of campers. Groups may also use this time to take supervised turns on the 20mm and 40mm guns. If you have an activity that you would like to conduct, you can do that at this time.
12:00 Midnight Lights Out. (This time may be moved up if requested)
12:00 a.m. ~ 6:30 a.m. Sleep period. No hands should be above deck except for bathroom purposes (adults or children).
DAY 2
6:30 a.m. Reveille. Flag Raising activity
6:30 a.m. ~ 7:00 a.m. All hands pack their gear and get ready to depart the ship.
7:00 a.m. All hands depart ship with their gear and return to museum on shore. Museum store opens at this time for purchase of souvenirs.
8:00 a.m. ~ 9:00 a.m. Touring museum.
9:30 a.m. USS KIDD reopens to the public. USS KIDD reopens for touring.
9:00 a.m. ~ 5:00 p.m. All Overnight activities are concluded. Overnight admission covers any additional self-guided touring through the close of business at 5:00 p.m.
If you would like to attend, Please reserve your spot by sending the following information to Tiffany Robicheaux at [email protected] AND also send your fee in via Vemno to @Pack221 :
Adults - Names & Cell Phone Number
Kids - Names, Age & Den or Silbling
Venmo - Amount & Date Paid (Please put USS Kidd in memo when sending the money.)
Event Venue
305 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States