schools & teachers

Help your students grow their science skills, plant knowledge and appreciation for the natural world with a program from Denver Botanic Gardens. Programs emphasize student-led discovery through a variety of hands-on activities and guided explorations. Programs are cross-curricular and align with Colorado Academic Standards.

Registration begins Monday, August 15, 2011 for fall and spring semester programs at the Gardens and fall semester Cultivation Cruiser outreach programs. Registration for spring semester Cultivation Cruiser programs begins the second Monday in January. Call early to guarantee a spot for your class. Call 720-865-3580 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.) or e-mail registrar@botanicgardens.org to reserve your space.

A limited amount of scholarship money is available to support schools with 60 percent or more participation in the Federal Free and Reduced lunch program. Find out more about our scholarship program.

Programs at Denver Botanic Gardens

School groups are welcome to visit the Gardens year-round. All school groups visiting the Gardens must make a reservation. To schedule a visit and/or program, please call 720-865-3580. Groups who show up without a reservation will not qualify for the school group rates and will be charged standard admission.

Please note that the Mordecai Children's Garden is designed for families and therefore school groups have limited access. School groups wishing to visit the children's garden will need to purchase a timed ticket for $2 in addition to their regular fee. Children's Garden visits are limited to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Please call 720-865-3580 for more information or to reserve your space.

• General Visit Information - Find out what to expect the day of your visit.
• Guided Explorations - Students work in a small group with a guide to investigate the topic through garden exploration and hands-on activities.
• Science Labs - Investigate a topic in-depth with hands-on activities and experiments.
• Discovery Days - Visit activity stations throughout the Gardens while learning about the world of plants.
• Discovery Backpacks - Check out a self-guided activity backpack containing multiple activities that encourage independent exploration and investigation of the Gardens. 
• Self-Guided 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 Outreach - Bring the Gardens to your classroom with fun hands-on activities.
• After-School Programs - Grow your student's after-school experience with programs designed to meet the unique needs of after-school groups.
• Teacher Kits - Activities and resources for teachers to check-out and 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.
• Discovery Days - Visit stations throughout the Gardens while learning about the world of plants.
• Discovery Backpacks - Check out a self-guided activity backpack that contains multiple activities. Encourages exploration and investigation of the plants and animals at Chatfield.
• Pumpkin Patch Program - Learn how pumpkins grow and visit the pumpkin patch.
• Corn Maze Program - Spend an hour in the Corn Maze with your class.
• Self-Guided Visit - Students can explore Chatfield on their own or use a curriculum that the teacher has developed.