Middle School Field Trips

We are actively scheduling outdoor-based winter (Dec. ‘25 – Feb. ‘26) programs. Spring (Mar. ‘26 – May ‘26) program availability is extremely limited. We, unfortunately, do not have availability for groups of more than 1 class of 25 students max. Thank you!

Please note the Garden will not have Butterflies LIVE! in 2025. This is due to the Garden’s THRIVE: Growing the Garden’s Future expansion of the Conservatory and grounds. Construction is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2026.

Pricing

  • The cost is $12 per student; the minimum group charge is $120.
  • One adult per five students is admitted free to ensure adequate supervision during the program. Exceptions will be made for students who require additional support.
  • The cost for additional adult chaperones is $15 per person. The limit of adult chaperones that can accompany each guided program is five, including teachers. Additional adults can accompany their child before and after the guided program time.

Program Details

  • Programs take place outdoors. There are no indoor classrooms available. Please have everyone dress for the weather. 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

  • Hour long programs are offered Tuesday-Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
  • Three programs are available during each time slot for up to 25 students and 5 adults per program.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Wetland
Investigation

Availability: Sept. – May

Availability: Nov. & Apr. – May
[Trees provide countless benefits to our planet. They filter air pollutants, act as carbon sinks, absorb storm water, prevent soil erosion, and reduce energy costs. Students will learn how trees perform these functions by collecting data about a tree’s condition, size, and species. In the process, they will use tools including checklists, measuring tapes, and dichotomous keys.

Meets Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools 2018 Science Objectives: 5.9, 6.9, ES.6, LS.4, LS.5, LS.8, LS.9.

Sustainable
Gardening

Availability: Oct. & Mar. – May

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.
  • Which program topic you would like.
  • 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.