Ark Encounter responds to call for schools to avoid attraction with $1 tickets

Kentucky's Ark Encounter has responded to the latest batch of criticism sent its way with deeply discounted tickets.The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) advised schools not to visit Ark Encounter in memos sent to more than 1,000 public school districts in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia and Tennessee.So the Ark Encounter is offering tickets —usually $28 for children — for $1 per student for public school field trips. And teachers get in for free.The FFRF memo reads:"This is a precautionary memo to advise that public schools and public school staff may not constitutionally organize trips to Ham’s Ark Park, with its clear religious goal and portrayal of fiction as divine truth, or to the Creation Museum or any other religious venue."Schools have a constitutional obligation to ensure that their programs 'do not inculcate religion.'"The Madison, Wisconsin-based group said it heard from parents concerned their districts will organize trips to the ark.But Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, which runs the Ark Encounter, argued in his blog that the First Amendment guarantees schools the right to visit the ark, "provided that they are for historical, recreational, or educational purposes."Kentucky Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt sent a message to school districts in response saying that neither outside groups nor state education officials should dictate field trip selection. A school's site-based decision-making council approves trips.

Kentucky's Ark Encounter has responded to the latest batch of criticism sent its way with deeply discounted tickets.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) advised schools not to visit Ark Encounter in memos sent to more than 1,000 public school districts in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia and Tennessee.

So the Ark Encounter is offering tickets —usually $28 for children — for $1 per student for public school field trips. And teachers get in for free.

The FFRF memo reads:

"This is a precautionary memo to advise that public schools and public school staff may not constitutionally organize trips to Ham’s Ark Park, with its clear religious goal and portrayal of fiction as divine truth, or to the Creation Museum or any other religious venue.



"Schools have a constitutional obligation to ensure that their programs 'do not inculcate religion.'"

The Madison, Wisconsin-based group said it heard from parents concerned their districts will organize trips to the ark.

But Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, which runs the Ark Encounter, argued in his blog that the First Amendment guarantees schools the right to visit the ark, "provided that they are for historical, recreational, or educational purposes."

Kentucky Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt sent a message to school districts in response saying that neither outside groups nor state education officials should dictate field trip selection. A school's site-based decision-making council approves trips.