Field Trips

Note: Garden Classes and Guided Tours are completely booked for the Spring of 2012.  
However, self-guided tours are still available for these months.

Field trip registration for the 2012–2013 school year opens July 1, 2012.

WELCOME! We invite you to visit us at the Garden with your students.

Jump to:

Options:
Garden Classes
3-part Classes
Guided Tours
Self-guided Tours
Request a Field Trip		      Logistics (below):
Scheduling Your Visit
Preparing for Your Visit
On the Day of Your Visit

 

Scheduling Your Visit
All groups, whether garden-led or self-guided, must register with the Garden before they visit by completing our online request form, emailing or calling us—within the time parameters identified below. To ensure a quality experience for all visitors, we have established a maximum number of group admissions per hour per day. Early registration will help us reserve your preferred arrival time.

A Garden Docent leads a tourGarden Programs fill quickly in October, April and May. Early registration is recommended. The Garden’s classes are conducted from September through December and February through May.

The Field Trip Request Form is online. Request your field trip today!

Requests will be processed in the order received. Do not assume a date is reserved until you receive a phone call or email. If you do not receive a call or email within two weeks, call (314) 577-5140.

Confirmation:

  • Once your request is processed, you will receive a confirmation packet by email.
  • After you receive your confirmation packet, carefully review the “Confirmation of Reservation” form. Call (314) 577-5140 if corrections need to be made.
  • BRING THE CONFIRMATION OF RESERVATION FORM WITH YOU ON THE DAY OF YOUR VISIT.

Payment:

  • Payment, if required, is due TWO WEEKS prior to your visit.
  • Make checks payable to Missouri Botanical Garden.
  • Discounted admission rates only apply when one member of the group pays for all in one transaction. 
  • The Garden reserves the right to cancel your program if payment is not received. You will be notified by phone should your program be cancelled.

Please mail payment to:

Missouri Botanical Garden
Education Division School Programs
P.O. Box 299
St. Louis, MO 63166-0299

Cancellations and Refunds:

  • Call (314) 577-5140 as soon as you know you must cancel.
  • FOUR WEEKS notice is required to receive a refund for classes.
  • All fees are subject to change.

 

Preparing for Your Visit

Students on tourChaperones are required:
Recruit the required number of chaperones:

  • Grades PK–3:
    1 adult per 5 students
  • Grades 4–12:
    1 adult per 8 students
  • Children’s Garden:
    1 adult per 5 students

Required chaperones receive free admission when accompanying a group.

Divide your students into groups:
BEFORE coming to the Garden, divide your students into the number of groups specified for your grade level’s student/chaperone ratio.

Wear name labels:
Please have your students wear name labels with first names.

Review information in the confirmation packet:
Details for parking and check-in are outlined in your confirmation packet. Share this information with students, chaperones, and bus drivers. Call (314) 577-5140 if there are questions.

While outside food and drinks are not permitted in the Garden, registered groups taking a Garden Class will be permitted to bring their own sack lunches to eat in the classroom after their scheduled program.
The Garden offers other suggestions for lunch:

Prepare your students:
Many of our programs have pre- and post-visit activities. If available for the program you choose, these will be available by download on that program’s web page.

Prepare for the weather:
Please have your students dress for the weather as all programs include outdoor activities.

Make your reservation today!

 

On the Day of your Visit

Student smelling plantBring your confirmation with you!

  • All groups, whether arriving by bus or car, must check in at the Linnean Plaza ticket booth.
  • Check-in information and directions to Linnean Plaza are in your confirmation packet.
  • Arrive 15 minutes early to allow ample time for parking, check-in and unloading.
  • Program length will be shortened in case of late arrival.

Parking:

  • IMPORTANT: Review directions to the Garden with your driver before you leave the school.  
  • Buses are parked on Garden grounds.
  • Parking directions are in your confirmation packet.
  • Share the parking directions with your driver. Remind bus drivers to be watchful before moving buses.
  • Buses are not permitted to idle while parked in the lot.
  • Bus drivers enjoy free admission to the Garden and a complimentary drink in Sassafras, the Garden’s restaurant.

Safety:
Teachers and chaperones are responsible for the safety of their students. Teachers and chaperones must remain with their assigned group throughout the visit.  Be especially attentive during arrival and departure when students are on the parking lots.

Chaperone guidelines:

  • Chaperones must remain with their assigned group throughout the visit and help with supervision.
  • Refrain from cell phone conversations during programs.
  • Programs may require brisk walking.
  • Strollers are not permitted in student group tours or classes.

Garden manners:
Further, we ask for your cooperation with the following guidelines:

  • Ask students to allow room on paths, keep their voices down and not run or yell in consideration of other visitors.
  • Visitors may not walk through flower beds or mulched areas. Mulched beds protect spring bulbs.
  • Students may collect plant parts that have fallen to the ground outside.
  • Visitors may not wade in pools, streams or fountains.
  • Visitors may not sit on stones or stone walls.
  • Visitors may not disturb or redirect sprinklers.
Quick Links
Learn at Our Other Sites

Check out field trip opportunities at the Shaw Nature Reserve and the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House!

Or if you’re looking for an opportunity for in-depth field study with your students, consider Litzsinger Road Ecology Center, managed by the Missouri Botanical Garden.

 

Visit the Children's Garden

Bring your class to the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden (open April–October)! School Groups that have pre-registered receive discounted admission to the Children’s Garden!

Schedule a class visit!

 

Scholarships Available

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Education Department offers need-based scholarships so that every student has the opportunity to experience, explore, discover and learn at the Garden, the Shaw Nature Reserve and the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Both schools/organizations and individual students may apply.

Learn more