Elementary School Field Trips

Embark on a learning adventure with your students during a field trip to the Garden! Our active hour long Discovery Programs bring plant science to life while reinforcing SOL concepts and vocabulary. Programs take place entirely outdoors (rain or shine) so please encourage students and chaperones to arrive dressed for that day’s weather. Each class returns to school with a Garden Starter Kit, complete with SOL-correlated science experiments and guided observation tips to easily facilitate small group and collaborative learning opportunities. Programs must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Please call (804) 262-9887 x 322 to register.

Our Children’s Garden Group Information Guide is REQUIRED reading for any group that wants to schedule a trip to the garden. Familiarize yourself with the guide before bringing your group.

Children's Garden Group Information Guide

Group Visit Policies and Information

Garden Guidelines

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is an outside, living museum. The Garden is for walking tours and
explorations only. There are no playground areas available for active sports or running.
• Walking feet and quiet speaking voices are expected in all areas of the Garden.
• Respect the plants and animals by staying on the pathways.
• Leave all plants and animals where you find them.
• Students must stay with chaperones at all times.

Prior to Your Visit
• Assign students to chaperones.
• Review Garden Guidelines with students and chaperones.
• Provide those responsible for transportation a copy of the appropriate map.

Groups visiting during the school year should use the School Year Map.
Groups visiting mid-June – August 31 should use the Summer Map.
Preschool Groups visiting November – February for a Young Buds program should use the Young Buds Winter Map.

• Review drop off and pick up locations.
• Remind all students and chaperones to dress for an active, outside walk. Classes are held
outside, regardless of weather conditions.
• The Children’s Garden is universally accessible. Please let us know in advance if you have
students with special needs.

On the Day of Your Visit
• If you are running late on the day of your program or are unable to attend your program,
please call the Children’s Garden and leave a message at 804-262-9887 ext. 322. If you do not call,
the no-show fee is $90 per program.
• Please arrive ten minutes before your scheduled class time to allow for check-in and walking
to the Children’s Garden. Late arrivals will result in a shortened program or possible
cancellation.
• You will receive your allotted number of complimentary teacher/chaperone admission stickers
upon arrival. Additional adults are $13, payable in the Robins Visitors Center unless prior
arrangements have been made to bill the school for all participants.

Teacher and Chaperone Expectations
• Teachers and chaperones are responsible for assisting the Children’s Garden educator.
• Limit cell phone use to emergencies ONLY.
• Additional adults and siblings will be asked to enjoy the Garden on their own.
• During your self-guided garden exploration time you will be asked to visit areas outside of
the Children’s Garden. Students must stay with you at all times. Please use quiet voices and
walking feet throughout your visit.
• The Group Kid Quest is available to help teachers and chaperones engage students during their self-
guided garden exploration.

Food
• Indoor facilities for eating are not available.
• Bring all snacks and lunches with you when you leave the bus.
• Eat lunch or snack in designated Picnic Area in the Children’s Garden only.
• Snack and drink machines are available in the Children’s Garden.
• Please ask students to clean up after themselves. Trash and compost bins are located
adjacent to the picnic area.

Discovery Programs for School Year 2018 – 2019

Availability and Pricing:

Programs are offered Monday-Friday at 9:00 am, 10:15 am and 11:30 am.
Two programs available at 9:00 am, three programs available at 10:15 am and 11:30 am. Up to 25 students per program.
Cost is $9 per student; minimum group charge is $90.
One adult per five students is required to assist during the guided program time and admitted free of charge. This includes the teacher(s).
Additional adults are $13 and are asked to enjoy the Garden on their own during the guided program time.

GARDEN EXPLORERS | KINDERGARTEN

Description

TREE TRAITS | KINDERGARTEN – 2ND GRADE

Description

Available throughout the school year

Take a journey through the forest to discover the array of plants and animals that live in this habitat. By observing the characteristic shape, color and texture of leaves, bark, and seed pods; students learn basic skills for identifying trees and discover how each part of a tree functions.

Meets State Science SOL objectives K.1, K.2, K.4, K.6, K.7, K.9, K.11, 1.1, 1.4, 1.7, 2.8

SMALL SPROUTS TO GARDEN GIANTS | 1ST GRADE

Description

PLANTS, WHAT GOOD ARE THEY? | 2ND GRADE

Description

GO WITH THE FLOW | 2ND – 3RD GRADE

Description

Available throughout the school year

Go with the flow as we examine the water cycle and its relationship to living organisms. Students investigate the effects of weather and human activity on water quality as they observe several aquatic sites in the Garden. In the Farm Garden, we discuss the importance of water to agriculture and discover how seasonal changes affect the crops we grow.

Meets State Science SOL objectives K.5, 2.1, 2.3, 2.6, 2.7, 3.9, 4.6, 4.9

NATURE OF THE POWHATAN | 2ND – 4TH GRADE

Description

Available throughout the school year

Through hands-on activities including, corn grinding, mat weaving, and seed planting, students get a taste of how it might have felt to live the lifestyle of an Eastern Woodland Indian. Additionally, students explore a wooded trail and consider how natural resources in the forest were used by Native Americans to obtain food, clothing and shelter from their environment.

Meets State History & Social Science SOL objectives VS.2 and VS.3, Science SOL objectives 1.7, 2.7, 3.8, 3.1, and 4.7

GROWING A GARDEN | 3RD – 4TH GRADE

Description

Available Sept/Oct/ Mar/Apr/May and through June 8

Understanding the vital needs of plants is an important part of maintaining a healthy garden. Through examination of various plants, students consider the reasons why it is beneficial to the environment to choose species that are well-adapted to the light, water, soil, and temperatures of their ecosystems. Students also learn about the minerals and nutrients plants need to thrive by observing soil components and exploring compost communities.

Meets State Science SOL objectives 3.7, 3.10, 3.11, 4.4

INQUIRY INTO NATURE | 3RD – 5TH GRADE

Description

TALLYING UP TREES | 3RD – 5TH GRADE

Description

Available Sept/Oct/Mar/Apr/May and through June 8
Trees thrive in forest, wetland, desert, and urban habitats. Several factors affect the growth rate of trees including tree species, climate, and the availability of water, nutrients, and space to grow. Using basic tools, students investigate different species of trees through a variety of observations, including measuring circumference and height, calculating the average crown spread, counting tree rings, and examining tree parts. Students share their data and discuss some specific factors that affect the growth rate of trees in urban areas.

Meets State SOL objectives Math: 3.9, 3.17, 5.8, 5.9 and Science: 3.1, 3.6, 4.1, 4.4, 4.5, 4.9, 5.1, 5.5

WATERSHED WONDERS | 4TH – 5TH GRADE

Description

Available throughout the school year
Discover the path water travels through the Garden as students investigate our local watershed and its impact on larger bodies of water. Using basic tools and water chemistry test kits, students collect water quality data and explore pollution sources, human activities, and weather events that may impact the health of aquatic habitats.
Meets State Science SOLS objectives: 4.1, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.9, 5.1, 5.4, 5.5, 5.7