CERF 2025 Family Friendliness

Family Activities  |  VCU Health Lactation Lounge  |  Family Room

Enjoy the Time with Your Loved Ones

Program Sponsor

CERF strives to provide a supportive atmosphere for parents and caregivers attending our conference. Each year we try to provide specific offers for families.

Children are welcome at conference sessions/workshops, in the exhibit hall, poster sessions, and receptions (Sunday through Thursday evenings) provided they are accompanied at all times by registered adult attendees. Children can even get their own conference badges at the registration desk! Please keep in mind that alcohol will be served at evening events. Parents are asked to show consideration to the presenters and other attendees by being proactive to avoid disruptions to the scientific program.  

Family Activities in Richmond

Looking for ideas of things to do with your kids? Here are some suggestions:

  • Children’s Museum of Richmond: The museum is a quick ride from the Convention Center on the free Pulse bus; look for the Science Museum stop. It is open Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30 AM - 5 PM.
  • Science Museum of Virginia: The museum features four floors of interactive labs, awesome artifacts, hundreds of hands-on experiences and both permanent exhibitions and touring exhibitions from around the world. You can get there on the free Pulse bus. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30 AM – 5 PM.
  • Maymont: Maymont is a 100-acre green space in the city with an eclectic mix of attractions. There is a Children’s Farm where you can pet animals such as goats, sheep, and chickens. The Robins Nature Center highlights the ecology of the James River and has two baby porcupines. The Virginia Wildlife Trail has exhibits of large animals including bears, deer, and bison. There is a small admission fee for the nature center; there is no admission fee for the rest of Maymont.
  • Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: There are 50 acres of gardens here, including a Children’s garden. It is a few miles away from downtown; approximately a 15-minute drive.
  • Metro Richmond Zoo: The newest pygmy hippo baby sensation, Poppy, is one of the many highlights of this zoo. The zoo is 25 miles south of Richmond or a 40 minute drive.
  • James River Park System: You can walk to the James River from downtown, and it’s a great place to run, play, and explore with miles of hiking trails. Fun places closest to downtown include Belle Isle and the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge.

Visit Richmond has a family-fun website dedicated to family activities, family-friendly restaurants, and other resources.

VCU Health Lactation Lounge

The VCU Health Lactation Lounge is located in the GRCC’s Ballroom Pavilion on the 1st Floor near Meeting Room B15c. It features comfortable seating, a table, power supply for pumping, nursing pads and easy access to restrooms. When the lounge door is closed, it can be locked from the inside and displays an “occupied” message on the outside. The GRCC is the only convention center in the Commonwealth of Virginia to offer a permanent lactation lounge for guests. The lounge is sponsored by VCU Health as part of its commitment to supporting mothers who want to breastfeed their babies.

                   


Family Room E25-B

At the CERF conference, we offer a welcoming "Family Room" where kids can come along with their guardian or caregiver. This dedicated space is designed for little ones to enjoy themselves with a variety of fun activities like games and puzzles, as well as our very own CERF custom coloring pages. Here, kids can express their creativity, socialize with other young friends, and take breaks whenever they need it. The Family Room is also a cozy spot for families to hang out together during downtime, providing a reprieve from conference activities.