Independent Garden Exploration

We are only actively scheduling outdoor-based winter (Dec. ’25 – Feb. ’26) Independent Garden Exploration programs. We are at capacity for the Spring (Mar. ’26 – May ’26). Thank you!

Please note the Garden will not have Butterflies LIVE! in 2024 or 2025. This is due to the Garden’s THRIVE: Growing the Garden’s Future expansion of the Conservatory and grounds.

Plan a Self-Guided Visit with Our Independent Garden Exploration!

An Independent Garden Exploration presents a wonderful opportunity to enhance your classroom curriculum with field studies that include scientific observation, drawing, journaling, and plant identification. Be sure to check out our Gardens and Exhibitions pages for additional information about the Garden before your visit.

Pricing

  • The cost is $12 per student; payment is due on the day of your visit.
  • One adult per five students is admitted free to ensure adequate supervision during the exploration. Exceptions will be made for students who require additional support.
  • The cost for additional adult chaperones is $15 per person.

Program Details

  • Pre-registered groups can bring lunch and eat in our outdoor picnic area.
  • There are no indoor classrooms available. Please have everyone dress for the weather. Layers are recommended for days that start cool and heat up.
  • We reserve the right to cancel programming when weather conditions prove unsafe or detrimental to a positive experience for your students (such as in the event of heavy rains or poor air quality). While we do everything possible to reschedule visits canceled due to inclement weather, nature is unpredictable and we cannot make any guarantees.

Availability

  • Start times offered are Tuesday-Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Scheduled for 2 hours, however, you are welcome to stay for as long as you would like.
  • Only available for High School groups during the school year.

Registration

Programs for the 2025-26 school year will run Tuesdays through Fridays from September 16, 2025 through May 29, 2026.


To register, contact our Youth Program Logistics Coordinator, Laura Lee Folman, at [email protected] with the following:

  • Your name, email address, and phone number, contact person’s information (if it is someone other than yourself) .
  • Your organization’s name and mailing address.
  • The number of classes you would like to bring, with the number of students per class.
  • The total number of students who will attend.
  • Your top three choices of program dates, in order of preference, and program times. (Please check your counties/cities school calendar, as it will be difficult to reschedule as we book up, and ensure you are able to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your scheduled program time.)

    • Please have patience as we accept reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis. Allow at least a week to receive a response. If all of the above information is not received, response time will be delayed.