Cancellation Policy

Classes, Events, and Birthday Parties

  • All sales are final.
  • Written notice via email* is required more than 10 business days before the class/event/birthday party start date to receive a 50% refund.**  
  • No refunds for class cancellations or dropouts less than 10 business days before the class start date. Schedule conflicts, traffic, illness, moderate weather, etc., fall under this category.
  • There are no transfers between classes or persons, nor credits given for unattended classes or events.
    • Only Summer Camp offers the option of transferring between weeks. Transfers are subject to availability and must be approved by the Registrar. A $25 pre-payment fee applies per approved request, and transfers are limited to sessions of equal or greater value.

*To ensure your cancellation request is sent to the correct person, please use the guide below.

Class Registration: Christina Spade, Registrar

Birthday Party: Ellianni Rodriguez, Birthday Party Manager

**Houston Arboretum Event/Fundraiser fees are considered donations. Refunds will not be appropriated in these cases.

Waitlist Policy

  • Waitlists are not available for every program or event.
  • Our waitlists are intended for individuals and families who are genuinely interested in enrolling in a specific class or camp session should a spot become available. We kindly ask that registrants refrain from using waitlists to hold a place while securing enrollment in another session. Such practices may prevent other interested participants from securing a spot, impacting the fairness of our registration process.
  • A waitlisted order is not a registration, and placement is not guaranteed.
  • Only you can add yourself or your child to a waitlist. If you need assistance, please contact our Registrar.
  • Cleared waitlist notifications are sent via email. Please check your inbox and junk folder regularly.
  • Confirmation and payment must be completed within 24 hours of notification. If the deadline passes, your spot will be released, and you’ll need to rejoin the waitlist.

Private Programs and Tours

  • Payment in full is required after receiving a date confirmation from the Manager.
  • Written notice via email* is required more than 10 business days before the tour/program start date to be eligible for a 50% refund.
  • There are no refunds if the attendee count is fewer than anticipated.
  • Rescheduling requests for confirmed dates are done at the Houston Arboretum’s availability and discretion. Fees may apply.

*To ensure your cancellation request is sent to the correct person, please use the guide below.

Private Tour: Kelsey Low

Scouts: Stuart Davis

Rentals

  • No refunds for venue changes at our facility due to rain or other acts of nature.
  • Cancellations, date, and time changes require a 21-day advance written notice. Deposits are non-refundable. Other rental fees paid are refunded if proper notice is received. Notice and questions can be directed to the Rentals Manager, Carol Nicolaisen.

Field Trips

Please visit our Field Trips section for more information. Cancellation policies for each program can be found at the bottom of that program’s page.

Classes, Programs, and/or Events cancelled by the Arboretum

  • Minimum Enrollment: The Arboretum reserves the right to cancel any program if the minimum enrollment has not been met. An equal-value class transfer, e-gift card, or full refund will be issued for programs cancelled by the Arboretum for this reason.
  • Inclement Weather: Programs are held rain or shine. If severe weather is a possibility, the Arboretum will make an announcement regarding class cancellations via our website. Please call our main line at 713-681-8433 or check our website for updates.
  • If a class or event is cancelled due to severe weather there will be no refunds, transfers, or credits.

Support the Houston Arboretum

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which depends on donations to support nature education and conservation programs for Houstonians of all ages.

Donate today
The Nature Center Building will be closing at 3 pm on Friday, May 23 and will be closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day. The trails, Nature Playscape, and outdoor restrooms will remain open.
+