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Field Trips

at the Garden

Let us take your students on an adventure!

The Huntsville Botanical Garden is the place to be to make science come alive for your students.

By providing learning experiences that are an extension of your classroom and in line with National and Alabama Science Standards, your students will discover the amazing world around them in our action-packed field trip adventures.

Dates book quickly! Please complete the On-Site Field Trip Request Form to make your reservation today.

For additional information, email education@hsvbg.org or call 256-830-4447, ext. 253.

Field Trip Request Form

Field Trip Program Options

All Huntsville Botanical Garden educational programs are in line with National and State Science Standards.
  • All programs require advanced registration.
  • Fees are per child.
  • Groups are welcome to stay after their program is completed and tour the garden on their own. Please inform us when you make your reservation if you wish to stay longer.
  • Groups must have a minimum of 10 children.
  • Areas available for picnic lunch upon request.
  • For more information, contact education@hsvbg.org, or call 256-830-4447 ext. 253.

Fantastic Foliage

Grades: K-2
2-hour program
Offered September – December
$10 per student

Discover the beauty of Fall as a guide takes you through an autumn adventure. Your students will investigate why leaves don’t absorb water. They’ll discover why leaves change color and find out how herbs spice the foods we eat. Each student will make a colorful leaf rubbing to take home.

AL Science Standards: K.6.3, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.8.4, 2.5.1, 2.5.2, photosynthesis

Downloads: Pre-visit activities  / Post-visit activities  

Seeds Everywhere

Grades: K-3
90-minute program
$10 per student

Exploding seedpods, rolling gumballs and whirly-twirly helicopters! Bet your students didn’t realize that engineering started with Mother Nature. Sign your class up to discover the physics behind seeds and nuts; they’ll have a blast! Students will even plant a seed to take home and grow!

AL Science Standards: K.6, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4.2, 2.4, 3.7.1, 3.7.3

Pollinators!

Grades: K-4
2-hour program; Offered through first week in October
$10 per student

Plants and pollinators go hand-in-hand. Students will discover the lifecycle of plants and pollinators and how they work together to survive. Explore the elements of a habitat and parts of flowers with hands-on activities throughout the Garden. 

AL Science Standards: K.6, 1.4.1, 1.4.2, 2.6.2, 3.7.1, 4.5.1, 4.5.2

Downloads: Pre-visit activities / Post-visit activities

Habitats

Grades: K-3
2-hour program in Fall and Spring
$10 per student

Students will learn about what plants and animals need for survival and how they interact with each other. Students will engage in all that Tweetsville has to offer by experimenting with bird beaks and nests. We will take a look at lakes, forests, and even down in the soil as we explore the various habitats throughout the garden with this hands-on educational adventure

AL Science Standards: K.3, 1.5, 2.7, 3.11

Branching Out

Grades: 2-4
2-hour program
$10 per student

Trees are what it’s all about in this program that gets your students investigating these important resources. We’ll teach your children how to classify different trees, explain the different parts of a tree and how they all work together, the interdependence of trees and animals, and look for the different ways that trees can be damaged.

AL Science Standards: 2.5, 3.3, 3.7.1, 3.7.3, 3.7.4, 3.7.5, 3.7.7, 4.5

Downloads: Pre-visit activities / Post-visit activities 

Sensational

Grades: PreK-K
90-minute program
$10 per student

Come experience nature by using all your senses. What will we taste? Smell? Hear? Your students will explore the Garden using all five senses and leave with a newfound sense of wonder for nature. This field trip experience includes tasting vegetables. Please note any food allergies that may be of concern when booking this trip.

AL Science Standards: SEK1a, SEK1e, SC15.K.7

Conservation

Grades: 4-6
2-hour program
$10 per student

A healthy ecosystem is critical not only to the plants and animals that live there but to people everywhere. Students will learn about the delicate balance in nature and what they can do as conservationists to make a difference in how we treat our planet. They will explore reducing waste, caring for endangered plants, sustainable gardening practices, and more!

AL Science Standards: SC15.4.5, SC15.4.2b, SC15.5.10, SC15.5.11, and SC15.5.16

Garden Walk-Throughs

All ages, minimum 10 children

Self-Guided $9 per student
Docent Guided $10 per student

Bring your group for a self-guided walk-through of the Garden. Take your time and explore the Nature Trail, Children’s Garden, Nature Center (in season), wherever you wish to wander.

Field Trip FAQs

Can we bring a purchase order?

Yes, you may bring a purchase order the day of your visit.

When do we need to pay?

Payment is not expected until the day of the field trip. Purchase orders are allowed.

Do we need to call to confirm?

If you have received your email or paper confirmation, there is no need to call again to confirm your field trip. You do not need to call with any number changes unless you are going up a full class.

Is there a limit on parents?

We do not set a limit on the number of parents who visit with their children. However, we do ask that the parents be involved with their children during the field trip. Parents are $15. All parents must be paid for at one time either through the school or gathered by the teachers ahead of time. We cannot accept individual parent payment at the Garden.

Are siblings allowed?

If your school is taking a guided field trip, we ask that siblings please stay home.

Some of my children’s families have Garden memberships. Do they still need to pay?

Parents who are members do not need to pay, but we ask that they show their card. Children who are participating in a guided field trip with their school do need to pay for the field trip because it is considered an educational event.

Field Trip FAQ