Educational Nature Programming

The Callaway Education Department is ready to help you plan education programs such as field trips for scout groups, school associations, and daycare facilities. Our Education Team includes horticulturalists, naturalists, and other experts who are well-qualified to deliver an enriching program for your group.

To plan your Educational Visit, please email us at education@callawaygardens.com, call us directly at 706-663-5155, or fill out the digital form below.

Plan Your Educational Visit

Partners in Education

As a Partner in Education with the Harris County School District, Callaway Gardens generously offers Harris County Schools one free Self-guided field trip per class each school year. Items of note:

To use this great benefit, free trips must be booked using our online application.
Students and teachers are admitted free of charge (limit 1 adult per 10 students).
Additional adult chaperones receive the discounted admission price of $18 plus tax per person.

School Group Programming

School & Group programs must be arranged in advance and are dependent on staff availability.

On-site Field Studies

Come explore Callaway Gardens with your class for fun, educational experiences your students won’t ever forget! Can’t make the trip to visit us? No problem, book an Outreach Program and we will bring the learning into your classroom. Either way, a Callaway Gardens Expert will lead your class in exploration. School programs include hands-on activities and a Teacher’s Guide with additional curriculum.

We offer a diverse selection of programs! Some programs are self-led and other programs are facilitated by one of our Education Experts (i.e. Guided Programs). Your group is able to create a schedule with a combination of both self-led and Guided Programs.

Pricing information

$12/student, regardless of age
1 teacher per classroom is FREE

Any additional school staff is $18.00 per staff member, with the understanding that 1 adult per every 10 students is FREE

Any additional children, or adults, are $20.00 per person.
Guided programs carry an additional fee of $125.00. (The Owl Pellets program may be higher depending on the market price of owl pellets and their availability.)
Groups scheduled through the Education Department will receive priority at the various facilities
Tax-exempt form must be submitted with your payment the day of the event.
Check and credit card are the only accepted forms of payment.

Group guidelines

Class size

Groups that number more than program’s ‘Maximum Group Size’ must be split up.

Age

Students in grades 9^th – 12^th may be grouped together for a Guided Program.
Students younger than 9thgrade must be within 2 consecutive grade levels in order to attend a Guided Program unless it is a homeschool or scout group.

Booking information

Application

All field trips are booked through our online application: https://www.callawaygardens.com/the-gardens/education/plan-your-trip/
Reservations are taken on a first come-first serve basis. Book early to ensure your chosen date.
Please direct any questions to education@callawaygardens.com or Amelia Grider at agrider@callawaygardens.com

Cancellation Policy (This is new this year)

Since indoor program space is available, programs take place rain or shine.
A field trip can be rescheduled (depending on availability) or cancelled up to 4 weeks before the scheduled date without penalty.
If a field trip is rescheduled or cancelled less than 4 weeks from the scheduled date, a $50.00 cancellation fee will be charged to the school group.
An unpaid balance from a school will result in the school’s inability to book future field trips until the balance is paid in full.

Payment Information

Accepted forms of payment: Check and Credit Card
All fees may be paid the day of the trip, upon entry at the Information Center Gates, or through the Credit Card Authorization Form provided in page the of the Confirmation Kit.
The following items MUST be included with payment for admission into the Gardens:
- Invoice
- Tax-exempt letter (if a school group)
- Form of payment