Half-Day Experiences for grades K-5

In this engaging program, students are given an overview of the day’s theme in the classroom, followed by a 60-minute guided field experience during which students will be introduced to basic ecological concepts by our talented staff and docent naturalists. Our science-based programs help students master the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) while exposing them to the beauty of the outdoors in our 155-acre nature sanctuary. See themes with grade-level recommendations below.

Class Size: Minimum 20 students/Maximum 60 students
Tour Times: 
Tuesday – Friday from 9:30 – 11:00 am or 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Fee: $8 per student; $7 per additional chaperone

Themes

Sensing Nature (Grades K-5)
Explore the Arboretum’s ecosystems using your built-in toolbox – your senses! Students will take a nature hike through prairie, woodland, savanna, and wetland habitats. Along the way, make observations of the interacting communities and finish with time to reflect creatively about your nature experience. 

A Habitat is a Home (Grades K-2)
Learn how and where living things meet their needs. Children will explore woodland, savanna, prairie, or wetland habitats to learn how organisms survive in their environment. 

Nature’s Recyclers (Grades 1-3)
Investigate how nature recycles nutrients through the process of decomposition. Students will explore rotting logs to learn about the organisms that work on the decomposer team.

Pleased to Eat You! (Grades 2-4)
Discover what local animals eat, and how to classify them as herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore. In this program all about food chains, students will explore the Arboretum’s wetland habitats and observe some of the organisms that call the Arboretum home.

Creature Features (Grades 3-5)
Discover adaptations that help organisms survive and thrive in their habitats. While exploring the Arboretum’s habitats, students will identify and compare adaptive characteristics of organisms.

EcoExplorers (Grades 4-5)
Identify ways that organisms survive in their ecosystem by interacting with the living and non-living elements. Students will explore woodland, savanna, prairie, and wetland habitats to compare their physical characteristics and how those features help them to support unique biological communities. Great STAAR review!

Reservation Requests

Reservation inquiries for the 2023-24 school year are now closed. Inquiries for the 2024-25 school year will open in August.

FAQ

Please ensure that your Field Trip request has been pre-approved by your educational institution before scheduling.

An accurate count of attending students is required before submitting a scheduling request.

One adult for every 10 students is required to ensure safety and to help supervise your students. Conversely, due to the hands-on nature of our programs, we ask that you do not exceed a ratio of one adult for every 3 students.

Additional chaperones over the requirement are charged $7 per person.

The program is designed for your students; please ask parents to leave younger siblings at home.

Please advise students and parents to dress appropriately for a nature hike and the weather. Students and adults should wear closed-toe shoes for safety. Sandals or high heels are strongly discouraged.

There are no picnic facilities at the Arboretum; however, we provide a lunch area for a full-day program. Half-day programs may use our building apron if available. Picnic areas can be found within Memorial Park’s picnic loop.

Bus parking is available only at our 610 Entrance. Please look for bus parking signs. Staff will be present to assist drivers.

610 Entrance Address: 120 West Loop North Fwy, Houston, TX 77024

Programs are conducted rain or shine. Ponchos are provided for light rain. In case of severe weather, we will offer an equivalent indoor program. If cancellation is necessary due to extreme weather conditions, rescheduling may not be possible due to our tight calendar.

Rescheduling requests are addressed at the Houston Arboretum’s availability and discretion. Rescheduling a confirmed program 0-30 days prior to your scheduled date will result in a rescheduling fee of $50.00.

Program fees are non-refundable.

Payment is required in advance and in full. Accepted forms of payment are organizational check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. All checks must be made payable to: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.

Questions about policies? Please click – School Program Payment Policy (pdf).