schools & teachers

Denver Botanic Gardens offers many education programs for your school group. Whether your group comes to the Gardens (York Street or Chatfield) or the Cultivation Cruiser visits your school, students will explore the amazing and important world of plants. All programs feature hands-on activities that foster the excitement of discovery to enable students to connect with plants. Programs are developed with Colorado Model Content Standards in mind, so you can be sure that your visit to the Gardens helps fulfill your classroom requirements.

Scholarship money is available to support schools with 70 percent or greater free- and reduced-lunch participation. Click here to find out more about our scholarship program.

Programs at Denver Botanic Gardens

All school groups visiting the Gardens must make a reservation. To schedule a visit and/or program, please call 720-865-3580. Denver Botanic Gardens reserves the right to refuse admittance to groups without a reservation.

• General Visit Information - Find out what to expect the day of your visit.
• Guided School Programs - Students work in a small group with a guide to investigate the topic through garden exploration and hands-on classroom activities.
• Discovery Backpacks - Adult chaperones lead groups of 10 or fewer students in hands-on activities related to the backpack's theme.
• General Visit - Students can explore the Gardens on their own or use a curriculum that the teacher has developed.
• Teacher Recertification Classes - Summer classes for teachers.

Programs at your School

• Cultivation Cruiser - Bring plants, fun and unique activities, and planting projects into your classroom.
• Teacher Kits - Activities and resources for teachers to use in their classrooms.

Programs at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is a 750-acre natural and historical landscape in southern Jefferson County.

• General Information - Find out what to expect the day of your visit.
• Guided School Programs - Alongside a guide, students explore the Chatfield site and a topic.
• Discovery Backpacks - Adult chaperones lead groups of 10 or fewer students in hands-on activities related to the backpack's theme.