Educators & Schools
The Garden offers a variety of exciting learning adventures for students of all ages. All programs are TEKS-based, active, and age-appropriate, so you can feel confident as an educator in choosing a Garden experience to enrich your class curriculum.
Programs
new!
Pollinator Ecosystem Program
Exclusively available for 4th & 5th grade enrolled in Title 1 school
In line with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Grade Four Science Standards, this free one-hour program takes fourth graders on an educational adventure. Bus reimbursement funds are available.
Self-Guided Visits
Explore the Garden’s 38 acres at your own pace. Groups must have 10 or more participants to receive this rate. This discounted rate is available to public schools, private schools, religious schools, home school groups, daycares, preschools, YMCA/YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, after-school programs, Scouts, youth organizations, universities, colleges, and trade schools.
Fee: $5 per child (3 – 17 years), $10 per student (with ID), $11 per adult.
Self-Guided Visits may be scheduled any day of the week during regular operating hours.
Engineering a Healthy Ecosystem
San Antonio Botanical Garden’s WaterSaver Community provides an inspiring model of landscape designs that conserve water. Students will learn about real-world solutions and ways to manage our local natural resources of water, land, and plants. As part of this program students will participate in a hands-on land management engineering challenge. This program is designed for groups of up to 60 students in grades 4-8. Program lasts approximately 90 minutes.
This program is available September 2024 – May 2025, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 2 pm.
Fee: $7 per student, $11 per adult
Engineering a Healthy Ecosystem in San Antonio is generously presented by the Elma Dill Russell Spencer Foundation and in partnership with Texas Wildlife Association.
Huntopia Guided Tour
Explore the never-before-seen Huntopia exhibition during this guided tour! This breathtaking exhibition features fun, colorful, and whimsical large outdoor sculptures of bunnies, butterflies, and tropical birds. Come enjoy this exhibition by artist Hunt Slonem surrounded by the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s beautiful landscape designs.
Fee: $7 per student, $11 per adult
This program is available June – October, Monday – Friday, and must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
Story of Water in San Antonio
The Family Adventure Garden is a living replica of our region’s watershed. Immerse yourself in the story of San Antonio’s water through guided observation and interactive learning! Students will follow the path of San Antonio’s water from surface water to ground water on this guided tour, while examining the unique geography of the Edwards Aquifer using the Family Adventure Garden’s flowing water, aquifer recharge features, and capture site. This program is designed for groups of up to 60 students in grades 2-12. Program lasts approximately one hour.
Fee: $7 per student, $11 per adult
This program is available September – May, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., and must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
Story of Water in San Antonio is generously presented by the Elma Dill Russell Spencer Foundation and in partnership with Texas Wildlife Association.
Terrarium Ecosystem Program
In this TEKS-based program, students learn about the importance of plants and water in our daily lives and create their own terrarium ecosystem to take home. This program is designed for grades Pre-K – 8.
Fee: $9 per child (3-17 years), $11 per adult
This program is available September – May, Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., and must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
Guided Garden Tours
Guided Garden Tours showcase the unique plants and features at the Garden. Participants will learn about the importance of plants and water while visiting different areas which may include the Culinary Garden, Conservatory, Formal Garden and Texas Native Trail.
Fee: $7 per student, $11 per adult
Early Childhood Garden-to-Table Experience
See, taste, do! This garden-to-table experience brings farming and growing food to life for young learners. The program includes a sensory garden tour, tasting a recipe with fresh garden ingredients, and planting something edible. Daily program capacity of up to 80 students. Program lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Fee: $8 per student, $11 per adult
This program is available September – May, Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., and must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
Youth Cooking Workshop
In this TEKS-based program, students will have the opportunity to prepare and enjoy 3 CHEF recipes. Participants will cook alongside our instructor and gain valuable culinary and nutrition knowledge in the classroom. This program is designed for groups of 10 – 25 children in grades Pre-K – 12.
Fee: $12 per student, $11 per adult
This program is available September – May, Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., and must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
Terrarium Ecosystem Program
Pre-recorded Distance Learning + Activity Kits
In this TEKS-based program, students learn about the importance of plants in our daily lives and create their own terrarium ecosystem to take home. An educational, original video series will be supplied that includes a “how-to” video for students to work alongside. Teachers may pick up activity kits from the Garden. This program is designed for grades Pre-K – 8.
Fee: Activity kits are $8 per student.
This program must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
Youth Cooking Workshop
Live Distance Learning
In this TEKS-based program, students will have the opportunity to prepare and enjoy 3 CHEF recipes. A Zoom link will be provided so participants can cook alongside the instructor and gain valuable culinary and nutrition knowledge in the classroom. This program is designed for groups of 10 – 25 children in grades Pre-K – 12.
Fee:
• Option 1: Receive a shopping list for $8 per child
• Option 2: Pick up ingredient kits from the Garden for $15 per child
This program must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
Teacher Workshops
Teacher professional development workshops are offered throughout the year to help keep you growing as an educator. The Garden is a TEA-certified continuing professional education (CPE) provider for the State of Texas.
FAQs and Resources
Support for youth educational programs and school tours is generously provided by Valero Energy Foundation, TND Family Foundation, Tres Grace Family Foundation, Dickson-Allen Foundation, Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation, University Health, Joan Cheever and Dennis Quinn, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation, and San Antonio Water System.
Upcoming Education Events
Read the Garden’s Registration and Cancellation Policies for information about member discounts, refunds, and more.
December 2024
Teacher Workshop: Project Learning Tree Explore Your Environment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please submit the online form. Group visits must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance of the desired date. Once the form is submitted, you will receive a confirmation letter via email with more information within 5 – 7 business days (please check your spam folder). Receiving this letter means that your group is officially scheduled for a Garden program. Garden Membership discounts do not apply to school group reservations.
Group visits must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance of the desired date. It is recommended to reserve your preferred date as soon as possible.
Every student deserves the opportunity to attend Garden programming. In pursuit of this goal, financial aid is available to schools and organizations in need. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, until designated funds are depleted. Scholarships are available to cover both program fees and bus reimbursement. You will receive confirmation of registration and notice of any amount due 5 – 7 business days after the application is received.
Students should bring a reusable water bottle and wear good walking shoes. Please have students dressed appropriately for the weather forecast. In the summer, breathable loose attire is best. In the winter, layers are recommended. Hats, sunscreen, and bug spray are highly recommended.
A minimum of 1 adult for every 10 students is required. Students of all ages are required to be with a chaperone at all times.
All buses drop off students at the bus drop-off area located in front of The Betty Kelso Center.
Bus pick-up and parking is on Pinckney Street beside the Culinary Garden. Students will exit through the Culinary Garden gate.
Garden staff will meet your group at the bus drop-off area and lead a quick orientation before you begin your visit to the Garden. One teacher/coordinator must check in at the front admissions kiosk with the final headcount and payment.
Yes, school field trip groups can bring sack lunches to the Garden. The Amphitheater is the best location for a picnic lunch. Wheeled coolers or sack lunches in backpacks are recommended as groups must transport their own lunches to the Amphitheater. Please make sure to clearly mark school lunches. Outside prepared or catered food is not permitted. Please help keep the Garden clean by discarding recyclables and trash in the appropriate receptacles.
Yes, chaperones that are not included in the school payment may purchase admission at the discounted school rate on the day of the field trip. Chaperones must notify the front admission kiosk staff of which group they are with to receive the discount.
Chaperones may wait by the front fountain at the Mays Family Display Garden, which is just past the front admissions kiosk and Garden Gift Shop to the left.
All participants associated with your school qualify for the discounted school rate. School/district checks or credit cards are accepted on the day of your visit. Please make checks payable to San Antonio Botanical Garden Society. Purchase orders are not accepted. Payment can be made in advance with a credit card over the phone. Please see the confirmation letter for more information. Checks mailed in advance must be received at least 1 week before the scheduled visit date.
Public schools, private schools, religious schools, home school groups, daycares, preschools, YMCA/YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, after-school programs, Scouts, youth organizations, universities, colleges, trade schools.
Chaperones with Garden memberships may only apply their discount toward Garden admission for self-guided tours. Member students must be paid for through the school as they are receiving an additional service above and beyond what they would receive on a typical Garden visit.
If your plans change and you must cancel or reschedule your program with the Garden, please contact the Education Programs team at education@sabot.org or 210.536.1425
