Summer School Group Programs

Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street, in cooperation with the City and County of Denver, presents a wide range of gardens and collections on 24 acres. The gardens reflect an ever-widening diversity of plants from all corners of the world.

York Street Location:

1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206

Chaperones are required for all programs. One adult/teacher chaperone for every five students is admitted free of charge. Additional chaperones cost $7 per chaperone.

Guided Tours

Small groups of students explore the site with a guide to investigate the topic. Tour programs cost $6 per student for schools within SCFD, $7 per student for schools outside SCFD. A Spanish speaking bilingual instructor may be available upon request.

Gardens Galore Tour (Grades PreK-12)

Think like a botanist and explore gardens that represent plants from all corners of the world.

Name That Tree Tour (Grades 3-12)

Broaden your students’ knowledge of Colorado trees while they develop plant identification skills.

York Street Self-Guided School Visit (All Grades)

Self-guided visits cost $5 per student for schools within SCFD, $6 per student for schools outside SCFD. Advance reservations are required for all self-guided visits.

Groups are welcome to visit Denver Botanic Gardens at any time. Whether you have your own curriculum to follow or you just want your class to enjoy the beauty of the Gardens, a self-guided visit may be the perfect way for your class to experience the Gardens. Education staff will greet and orient your group, then you are on your own to explore. Chaperones include adults and teachers.

Available on select Tuesdays throughout the summer.

Chatfield Farms Location:

8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128

Whether you have your own curriculum to follow or you just want your class to enjoy unstructured time exploring Deer Creek and the Hildebrand Ranch, a self-guided visit may be the perfect way for your class to experience Chatfield Farms. Education staff will greet and orient your group, then you are on your own to explore.

Self-guided visits cost $5 per student for schools within SCFD, $6 per student for schools outside SCFD. Advance reservations are required for all self-guided visits.

Plains Conservation Center, with programs managed by Denver Botanic Gardens in cooperation with the City of Aurora, is situated on a natural prairie ecosystem located in Aurora. Students explore the natural and human history on this unique landscape.

School group tours are available Tuesday-Friday.

Plains Conservation Center Location: 

21901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO 80013

Please make sure to read our general information before your field trip.

Summer Tour (K-12)

Start with a wagon ride into the prairie for look for wildlife, and then get a look inside the sod village and tipis. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after or before the program at our picnic area.

Cost: $12 per student within SCFD, $14 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $7 each)

Time: This tour runs for 2 hours and we are flexible with start and end times

One-Day Prairie Perspectives Immersion Plus Optional Overnight (Grades 3-5)

Immerse your students in the challenging perspective of a child growing up in the 1800s as a Cheyenne Indian or a homesteader. Students explore the prairie ecosystem and participate in activities at the homestead and Cheyenne camp, cook a meal, journal and connect with the cultural history. Overnight portion includes campfire, storytelling, wagon rides on the prairie and sleeping in the tipis (weather permitting).

Cost:

• One-Day Prairie Perspective Immersion, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.: $60 within SCFD / $65 outside SCFD
• One-Day Prairie Perspectives Plus Optional Overnight ends 9 a.m. the following day: $125 within SCFD / $130 outside SCFD

One adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $30 each for the one day program and $60 each for the overnight program. A 50 percent deposit is due at least 30 days prior to program date; full payment is due at least one week pre-program.

When: One Day Immersion: September – October and April – May (summer dates may be available upon request)

Overnights: May and September only

Class Size: Maximum 35 students

Life in the High Plains Field Trip (Grades 1-5)

Discover the prairie on a wagon ride (weather permitting) and/or discover what life was like for the Cheyenne Indians and the homesteaders on the high plains in the 1800s. Explore how the Cheyenne adopted a lifestyle of semi-nomadic hunter/gatherers to thrive on the prairie. Learn about roles within the homesteading communities of 1887 and how they supported each other. Learn about the flora and fauna of the prairie while engaging in real field-science which may include bird surveys, prairie dog ethograms and water quality testing.

When registering, indicate which of the following program areas you would like to reserve: Prairie Ecology, Sod Homestead and/or Cheyenne Camp (maximum of two topics):

• Option 1: Sod Homestead / Cheyenne Camp Combo
  
  Class size: Maximum 90 students
• Option 2: Sod Homestead / Prairie Ecology Combo
  
  Class size: Maximum 90 students
• Option 3: Cheyenne Camp / Prairie Ecology Combo
  
  Class size: Maximum 90 students
• Option 4: Prairie Ecology
  
  Class size: Maximum 60 students
• Option 5: Cheyenne Camp
  
  Class size: Maximum 60 students
• Option 6: Sod Homestead
  
  Class size: Maximum 60 students

Cost: $12 per student within SCFD, $14 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $7 each)

When: September – November 18 and April – May (available throughout the summer for camp and school groups)

Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (including lunch break)

Prairie Ecology (Grades 6-8)

Students engage in real field-science as they explore the prairie flora and fauna. They may conduct bird surveys, perform prairie dog ethograms and do water quality testing.

Cost: $12 per student within SCFD, $14 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $7 each)

When: September – November 18 and April – May (available throughout the summer for camp and school groups)

Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Class size: Maximum 60 students