The North Carolina Botanical Garden offers a variety of hands-on field trips for school and homeschool groups.
Guided programs are designed to connect students to plants and natural science through positive outdoor learning experiences.
Field trips align with the Common Core and Essential Standards and are led by staff and trained Garden Guide volunteers.
SELF-GUIDED VISIT:
We welcome self-guided groups throughout the year on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no fee; however, we do require registration so that we can coordinate your visit with our program schedule and send you helpful information for your visit. Group size is limited to 50 total participants. If you would like to book a self-guided visit, please complete the request form at least one (1) week before you plan to visit.
REGISTRATION FOR GUIDED PROGRAMS:
*All spots for guided programs this spring are booked.*
Registration opens for 2023-24 guided field trips in August.
Fall 2023 School Field Trip Season: September through November
Spring 2024 School Field Trip Season: March through May
The Garden is closed on Mondays and state holidays.
QUESTIONS? Please contact Lauren Greene at lgreene@unc.edu.
Virtual Field Trip Materials
Ready to start exploring the North Carolina Botanical Garden from the classroom or home? Introduce your students to the Garden using our Welcome Letter that includes two nature journal prompts.
COMING SOON! A whole package of materials that corresponds to our From the Mountains to the Coast program for 3rd Grade. Free with registration.
COMING SOON!
Teacher Resources
Starting a garden at your school? Searching for a book about nature or gardening for your class? Interested in having your students participate in citizen science? Thinking about taking your students outside but not sure how to get started? Resources on these topics and more coming soon!
Pre-K - Kindergarten (ages 4-6)
Sense-ational Nature
We experience nature best when we use our senses! Young children will explore the sights, sounds, feels, and smells of the Garden through activity stations and a sensory walk.
NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development: Goal CD-1, Goal CD-14, Goal CD-15.
Length: 1 hour
Fee: $3.00 per student
Max group size: 40
NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development: Goal CD-1, Goal CD-14, Goal CD-15.
Length: 1 hour
Fee: $3.00 per student
Max group size: 40
K - 1st grade
Flora Explorers
What do plants need to live? Students will explore the Garden in search of the basic structure and function of plant parts — from roots to leaves — and how they help the plant to survive.
NC Essential Standards for Science: K.L.1.2, 1.L.1.1, 1.L.1.2, 1.L.1.3
Length: 1 hour
Fee: $3.00 per student
Max group size: 50
NC Essential Standards for Science: K.L.1.2, 1.L.1.1, 1.L.1.2, 1.L.1.3
Length: 1 hour
Fee: $3.00 per student
Max group size: 50
3rd grade
From the Mountains to the Coast
Walk with us from the mountains to the coast as we explore the different geographic regions of North Carolina in our habitat gardens. Learn how differences in soils and environmental factors may help shape the plant communities we see across the state, from the rich diversity of our Piedmont and Mountain forests to the amazing adaptations of insect-eating plants of the Coastal Plain.
NC Essential Standards for Science: 3.L.2.1, 3.L.2.2, 3.L.2.3, 3.L.2.4
Length: 1.5 hours
Fee: $4.00 per student
Max group size: 50
NC Essential Standards for Science: 3.L.2.1, 3.L.2.2, 3.L.2.3, 3.L.2.4
Length: 1.5 hours
Fee: $4.00 per student
Max group size: 50
1st grade - 8th grade
Garden Walk
Enjoy a walk through the Garden with a focus on seasonal plant and animal highlights, native habitats, and our conservation mission.
Length: 1 hour
Fee: $3.00 per student
Max group size: 50
Length: 1 hour
Fee: $3.00 per student
Max group size: 50
SCHEDULING A FIELD TRIP
FEES:
Please see field trip descriptions above for cost per student. There is no charge for teachers/chaperones. The minimum fee is $30 per program.
GROUP SIZE:
Please see field trip descriptions above for maximum group size per program. We cannot offer field trips for groups of less than 5 students. PLEASE NOTE: The Garden can accommodate up to 50 students per day. If you would like to bring more than 50 students, you will need to request an additional program on another date.
CHAPERONES:
We require one adult chaperone for every 5 students. A maximum of 10 chaperones per program are permitted. We cannot accommodate siblings.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
In an effort to reach public schools that are most in need, we offer a limited number of partial fee waivers for Title I schools. To request a fee waiver, contact Lauren Greene at lgreene@unc.edu.
PAYMENT:
Invoices must be paid before or on your program date. We reserve the right to cancel your program if payment is not received. We accept cash, check, or credit card.
CANCELLATIONS:
A minimum one (1) week notice in writing is required for a refund. Groups that do not cancel will be billed the full program(s) fee. Please contact Lauren Greene at lgreene@unc.edu or 919-962-2887 to cancel. If your program is cancelled by the Garden or due to weather, we will make every effort to reschedule your group or refund your fee.
COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS:
Field trips take place entirely outdoors. As of March 7, 2022, face masks are optional. As a part of UNC-Chapel Hill, we follow their COVID-19 Community Standards.