guided school programs

During a guided school program, guides lead small groups of students in hands-on classroom activities and garden explorations to learn more about the program's topic. Teachers may choose from the programs below.

Reservations:
To schedule a guided program, please call 720-865-3580. Scheduling begins on Aug. 15 for the entire school year. Shortly after you make your reservation, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with activities and materials to help prepare your students for the program. Please make sure to read our general information before your field trip.

Cost:
Guided programs cost $3 per student for schools within the SCFD districts, $5 per student for schools outside of the SCFD districts. One adult chaperone (parent or teacher) for every five students is admitted free of charge. Extra adults must pay $4.50 each, no exceptions.

Scholarship money is available to support schools with 60 percent or more participation in the Federal free- and reduced-lunch program. Click here to find out more about our scholarship program.
 

FALL AND SPRING PROGRAMS

Sprouts (grades K-2)
Sprouts introduces students to the wonders of plants and gardening. Children spend 90 minutes with a guide exploring a wide diversity of plants with their five senses and having the opportunity to plant a seed.  (Outdoors, except during inclement weather)
When: 10-11:30 a.m. and 12-1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from late April to mid-June, and late August to September
Class Size: Maximum 60 students

Name that Tree (Grades 3-5)
Broaden your student's knowledge of trees while encouraging beginning plant identification skills. Students will complete a guided exploration of common Colorado trees to learn fun facts and identifying features of each tree. Hands-on classroom activities will help students broaden their knowledge of tree structure, vocabulary and identification. (Indoors and Outdoors)
When: 10-11:45 a.m. on Thursdays from April to mid-June, and late August to October
Class Size: Maximum 60 students

Ecosystems of Colorado (Grades 4-6)
Explore our ecosystem gardens to discover what plants and animals are characteristic of Colorado's diverse ecosystems. Students will make observations about each ecosystem and its inhabitants, while also exploring simple ecological concepts.  (Outdoors, except during inclement weather)
When: 10 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays from late April to mid-June, and late August to mid-October
Class Size: Maximum 40 students

Japanese Tea Ceremony (Grades 1-6)
Enhance your exploration of Japanese culture with a visit to our authentic Japanese Tea House. Students will observe a tea ceremony, an important part of Japanese life, and also learn what it is like to be a child in Japan. (Indoors in an unheated space)
When: 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon on selected Mondays and Tuesdays in May
Class Size: Maximum 30 students.
Registration: Registration for the Japanese Tea Ceremonies begins March 2, 2009. Call 720-865-3580 to reserve your space.
 

WINTER PROGRAMS

Journey to the Rainforest (Grades 1-6)
Take a break from the cold and visit our living and growing indoor rainforest. Through a guided exploration of the rainforest and hands-on classroom activities, students will learn about various rainforest plants, their adaptations, how rainforest plants are used in their daily lives and ways that the rainforest is different from Colorado.  (Indoors)
When: 10-11:45 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays in January, February, March, November and December
Class Size: Maximum 60 students

Pizza, Pencils and Plants (Grades K-6)
Students will discover how plants are used in food, clothing, building materials and much more. An optional self-guided scavenger hunt can help students find product plants throughout the Gardens. (Indoors)
When: 10-11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on selected days throughout the year
Class Size: Maximum 30 students

From Fossils to Flowers (Grades 6-12)
Observe the different groups of plants (algae, mosses, ferns, conifers, flowering plants) that have evolved over time and learn how the key characteristics that make each group distinct. (Indoors)
When:  10-11:45 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays in January, February, March, November and December
Class Size: Maximum 60 students