Field Trips

Explore Daniel Stowe Conservancy with your group to experience 90 acres of spectacular gardens and living ecosystems, including the Lost Hollow Kimbrell Children’s Garden, the Adventure Trail, a tropical plant conservatory, a Piedmont Prairie, annual and perennial displays and more. From field trips covering insects to forest habitats to plant life to custom programs designed for your learning standards, field trips at Stowe fully immerse students in the beautiful, wild world around us.

To design a custom field trip to meet specific learning standards and supplement classroom learning, please reach out to Education Manager Jennings Storie.

Pricing

Self-Guided Field Trip (for groups of 15+)

Students – $9.95

Teachers – Free*

Chaperones – $16.95

Educational Program & Admission

Students – $15

Teachers – Free*

Chaperones – $16.95

Add-On Program

$30 a class

Title I schools may qualify for reduced rates

Field Trip Tips for Teachers + FAQ

Program requests must be received no later than four weeks before the requested program date. This does not guarantee the requested date’s availability.

Payment is due three weeks prior to program. Please contact Education Manager Jennings Storie with any questions.

Come prepared for weather with appropriate clothing, sunscreen, bug spray and a water bottle for each participant. Programs take place rain or shine.

Wear comfortable walking shoes – some paths may be wet or muddy depending on weather conditions.

The Education Manager must be notified of any changes in the amount of students attending no later than two weeks prior to the program.

Plan to arrive on time, as program length may be impacted due to late arrival.

Upon arrival, refer to the parking map for bus directions. Students can be dropped off in front of the Garden Pavilion.

While the group is unloading, have students gather in their classes/groups on the front lawn.

Our educators will provide a brief introduction to the Garden and guidelines for safety and expectations during the visit.

If you plan to have lunch in the Garden, staff will bring carts to collect lunches and take them to the picnic area.

Teachers and chaperones with your group are responsible for monitoring student safety, managing group behavior and supporting program activities.

Please respect all plants, wildlife and Garden property while being mindful of other schools and guests at Stowe.

Your schedule will include the lunch location for your group. Please throw all lunch trash in designated trash cans.

Once the field trip program is complete, your group is welcome to explore The Garden and trails for the remainder of their time during public garden hours.

Program schedules may be subject to change based on weather, staffingn or other factors.

Stowe is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays, The Big Leaf Cafe + Shop will be closed those days unless otherwise disclosed.

  • Programs take place rain or shine. If the field trip is cancelled due to severe inclement weather, the group has 30 days to reach out to reschedule their program within the next 12 months.
  • If Stowe cancels a program for non-weather related reasons, the group will receive a full refund.
  • If group is more than 30 minutes late or fails to show without contacting Stowe staff, the programmed portion of your visit will be cancelled with no refund.
  • Programs cancelled three weeks or more in advance are eligible for a refund. No refunds are issued for groups that cancel less than three weeks in advance.

Field Trip Drop-Off Map

Current Field Trip Offerings

Adventure Trail 

Step off the beaten path and into a world of curiosity, creativity and connection with nature! Students will scale rocks, explore creeks and discover a variety of habitats around them in this nature play based program.

Grades Pre K-3 | 90 minutes 

Key Concepts: nature-play, sensory engagement, exploration and discovery, environmental stewardship

Eggs, Frogs + Tadpoles…Oh My!

Journey through the life cycle of a frog as we explore their characteristics, diet and habitats. Search for frogs at different life stages in the Garden’s ponds and discover what they needto thrive.

Grades Pre K-4 | 60 minutes

Key concepts: animal life cycles, amphibians, adaptations, habitats, pond exploration, characteristics and anatomy of frogs.

Insect Investigation 

Grab your magnifying glass! Students will discover insect characteristics, explore metamorphosis and learn about the importance of pollinators throughout the Garden.

Grades K-4 | 60 minutes

Key concepts: insect life cycle, metamorphosis, anatomy and characteristics of insects, common insects.

Trip to the Tropics 

Discover the incredible diversity of tropical plants and their unique adaptations, from drip tips to waxy surfaces. Kids will explore their surprising uses and even visit the William H. Williamson Conservatory!

Grades 3-6 | 60 minutes 

Key Concepts: ecosystems, plant adaptations, uses of plants, rainforests, habitats

Habitat Hike 

Hike through the Daniel Stowe Conservancy forest to explore habitats, dig into ecosystems, identify native plants and animals and learn how they adapt to their environment.

Grades Pre K-8 | 60 minutes

Key Concepts: habitats, ecosystem, population, adaptations, food web, plant and animal relationships, biodiversity, native species, conservation

Pond Ecology 

Investigate our Garden’s ponds, exploring their web of life by collecting samples and observing the diverse organisms that thrive in, on and around the water.

Grades 5-8 | 75 minutes

Key Concepts: research methods, insect life cycles, plant-animal relationships, adaptation, ecosystems, wetland habitats, water quality, stewardship

Butterfly Bungalow

Discover something new in the Butterfly Bungalow! Watch butterflies emerge from chrysalids, search for hungry caterpillars among the leaves, catch a butterfly on a feeding sponge and more. Please note that this field trip is only available in August and September; contact us to learn more. 

Grades Pre-K-8 | 60 minutes

Key Concepts: metamorphosis, insects, habitats, life cycles

Plant Parts We Eat 

Discover the parts of a plant—roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds—and learn how each part helps the plant grow. Then explore the garden to find plants we commonly eat and see which parts end up on our plates!

Grades 1-3 | 60 minutes 

Key Concepts: fruit and vegetables, basic needs for plant growth, life cycles, plant parts and function

Adventure Trail Exploration 

Extend your field trip with a guided journey along the Adventure Trail at Daniel Stowe Conservancy. Led by our knowledgeable staff, students will discover our unique outdoor nature play rooms—spaces designed for climbing, imagining, and engaging with the natural world through active play and exploration.

Add-Ons

Extend your students’ experience by 30-45 minutes with an additional enrichment activities led by a Garden Educator.

Wildflower Seed Ball Workshop

Enhance your field trip with a hands-on activity where students create their own wildflower seed balls to take home. Along the way, they’ll learn about the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystems and how planting native flowers can help support bees, butterflies, and other important wildlife.

Tropical Conservatory Tour 

Discover characteristics of a tropical ecosystem and the highlights of the William H. Williamson Conservatory on this guided tour.

Sprout House

Add a touch of take-home science to your field trip as students build their own “Sprout Houses” by planting a seed in a clear zip-top bag. They’ll learn what seeds need to grow and get to watch the germination process day by day at home, nurturing their very own plant from sprout to seedling.