School Programs at Chatfield Farms
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, managed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, features a natural environment of 700 acres. Come explore the plants, animals and history of this unique site located near the intersection of C-470 and Wadsworth Blvd. in Littleton. Whether exploring the wetlands, riparian area or historical farm, students are sure to walk away with a newfound appreciation for life and the natural world that surrounds them. All programs may be modified in the event of inclement weather. A Spanish speaking bilingual instructor may be available upon request.
School group tours are available Monday-Thursday.
Chatfield Farms Location:
8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128
Submit a 2023-2024 School Program Request
Guided Programs
During guided programs at Chatfield Farms, students will break into small groups and be lead through different parts of the farm by our knowledgeable and engaging volunteers and staff, making stops along the way to delve into the hands-on activities covering the subject of study followed by self-guided exploration of the farm.
Programs cost $6 per student for schools within SCFD and $7 per student for schools outside SCFD. One adult chaperone per every 10 students is required, one chaperone per every five students admitted free of charge. Additional chaperones are $7 each.
School Group Farm Program (Grades PreK–12)
See where food is grown, explore the historical Hildebrand Ranch site and learn about the history and future of farming in Colorado.
NGSS Standards: 2-PS1-1, 2-LS2-2, 3-LS1-1
Colorado State Standards for Social Studies: K.1.2, K.2.2, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.2.2, 2.1.2, 2.2.2, 2.3.1, 4.2.2
Ecosystem Adventure (Grades 1–12)
From wetlands to prairies, discover the important ecosystems and habitats along Deer Creek. Students investigate how plants and animals are adapted to survive in different ecosystems.
NGSS Standards: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, 2-PS1-2, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-2, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-3, HS-LS4-4, HS-LS4-5
Sustainability 101 (Grades 2–12)
From water conservation to the foods we consume, learn about all the ways we incorporate sustainability into daily life on the farm. Take new ideas and strategies back with you to implement at school or at home.
NGSS Standards: 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-2, 2-ESS2-3, 3-LS3-2, 4-PS3-2, 4-ESS3-1, 5-ESS3-1, 5-ESS2-2, 5-LS2-1, MS-ESS3-3, MS-LS2-1, HS-LS2-7, HS-ESS3-4, HS-PS3-2, HS-PS3-3, HS-PS4-5, HS-LS1-3, HS-LS2-4, HS-ESS3-1, HS-LS1-3
A-Maize-ing Explorers (Grades 3–5)
Offered select Mondays–Thursdays in October
Learn about all about the history of maize, the life cycle of corn and its many important uses. After your guided activities, test your navigation skills in our 7-acre Corn Maze.
Specialty Programs
These programs are only available certain dates during the year. Each of these programs follow different structures, listed in the descriptions. Please reach out to our school.groups@botanicgardens.org with any specific questions.
Pumpkin Discovery Days (Grades PreK–2)
Offered select Mondays–Thursdays in September
This program costs $6 per student for schools within SCFD, $7 per student for schools outside SCFD. One adult chaperone per every 10 students is required, one chaperone per every five students admitted free of charge. Additional chaperones are $7 each.
Visit our mini pumpkin patch where each student gets to pick their own mini pumpkin to take home. Hands-on activity stations are setup for your students to discover and learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin plant, explore the mini corn maze and more fun fall activities on the farm.
NGSS Standards: K-LS1-1, 2-PS1-1, 2-LS2-2, 3-LS1-1, 4-LS1-1
High School Service-Learning Projects (Grades 9–12)
FALL: October 2
SPRING: April 22, 2024
This program costs $5 per student. One adult chaperone per group (20 students) is required, one chaperone per five students is admitted free of charge. Additional chaperones are $7 each.
Bring garden and farm careers to life for your students during a hands-on service-learning day. Spend one hour learning from our farmers and horticulturalists about real life skills they use on the farm, then sit down with a panel of our staff from Chatfield Farms to learn all about the possibilities in this field.
Service projects include helping in the produce fields, flower beds, assisting with research activities across the property and may include moving large quantities of materials or weeding. After the program, your group is free to explore the site and/or eat a picnic lunch.
Groups are limited to 20 students per project, so if your student base is larger than that, plan to sign up for more than one project.
Pumpkin Festival School Groups (Grades PreK–5)
School groups may attend Pumpkin Festival on Friday, October 6. Visit will be self-guided.
Special event price: $8 per student without pumpkin, $10 per student with mini pumpkin (the additional $2 includes one miniature pumpkin per student to take home). One adult chaperone per every five students is required, additional adults $14 each.
Winter Writers' Workshop (Grades 3–12)
Offered Mondays through Fridays January – March from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This program costs $12 per student for schools within SCFD, $14 per student for schools outside SCFD. One adult chaperone per every 10 students is required, one chaperone per every five students admitted free of charge. Additional chaperones are $7 each.
This writing workshop explores the wonders of winter. Choose your own adventure by picking your science topic and writing style. A guide will lead your students through discovery of a winter topic with a hands-on lesson in the morning followed by inspiration and guidance through the first three steps in the writing process after lunch. Students will get a chance to explore the wonders of winter on the farm and learn how to best express their learning through writing.
Science Topic Options: Snowflakes, Animal Adaptations to Weather, Water Erosion, Seasons and Weather, and Plants in the Wintertime
Writing Style Options: Poetry, Narrative, Descriptive, Informative/Expository, and Persuasive
Self-Guided School Visit (All Grades)
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. One adult chaperone per every 10 students is required, one chaperone per every five students admitted free. Additional chaperones are $7 each.
Call 720-865-3656 or email school.groups@botanicgardens.org with any questions.
A limited amount of scholarship money is available to support schools with 50 percent or more participation in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.