eachers are invited to lead their groups through the collection of the Conservatory at no cost. Or they may enhance their existing curricula by reserving an Exploration Kit to use within the unique and exotic plant collection that is found at the Garfield Park Conservatory — one of the world’s largest conservatories! Tours are available Monday -  Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

(photo) Exploration Kits bring the plants alive to this group of diverse learners.

Field Trip Options                                        

 

Option 1: Self-Guided Tour   Teachers are invited to lead their groups through the collection of the Conservatory at no cost. Lunchrooms and catering are available for an additional charge. Details can be found on the registration page.   Confirmed registration for a Self Guided Tour includes the following:   1. Reserved time slot for a group visit. 2. A reserved lunch room is available for an     additional fee of $20.            Option 2: Exploration Kit   Classrooms and organizations are discovering the excitement of the Conservatory with the newly revised Exploration Kit. (see sidebar for detailed information.) A comprehensive pre-visit packet will fully prepare teachers for using the Exploration Kit. The pre-visit lesson plan will allow teachers to introduce the Conservatory and its botanical themes to their classroom prior to their visit. Post-visit activities will reinforce the experience the students had during their visit thus maximizing the educational component.   Want to delve further into a particular room? Additional activities for several of the rooms of the Conservatory are available. Topics including plant life cycles, adaptation and plant evolution will expand and deepen each student’s educational experience.   Teachers who are interested in reserving the Exploration Kit must do so at least four weeks prior to their visit. Exploration Kits are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.   Exploration Kits are available in three different age levels:   1. Pre K-1st grade 2. 2nd-4th grade 3. 5th-8th grade   Rental Fee Per Exploration Kit: $25 per 15 youth   Confirmed registration for an Exploration Kit includes the following:     Reserved time slot for a group visit.     Each Kit contains a guidebook for adults that includes general information for each room in the Conservatory, specific plant information for some of the trees and plants in the rooms, and hands-on interactives such as cocoa beans to shake up and pass around that makes the experience meaningful for diverse learners.     Each Kit is available for a maximum of fifteen children. If your group is larger than 15 but smaller than 30, you will need 2 kits. For up to 45 students, you will need 3 kits, and a group of 60 will require 4 kits. Teachers or group leaders can access information below to prepare themselves and to share with the other adults prior to accompanying the group on the field trip (please see section entitled “Field Trip Preparation”).     A reserved lunch room is available for an additional fee of $20.   Preparing for a Classroom Field Trip PDF

 

FIELD TRIP REGISTRATION                  There are two ways to register for a school field trip to the Conservatory:   1. By Mail:     Click on the “Register by Mail” button below on this page, print and fill out the registration form, and mail it in with your check or money order.   2. By Fax:     Click on the “Register by Fax” button below, print and fill out the registration form, and Fax it in to the number listed on the form. No credit card payments by Fax.     Payment checks must be received at least two weeks prior to scheduled visit, or registration will be automatically cancelled.     Your registration will be processed, and a confirmation will be sent via email or fax within one week of receiving your registration. If the dates you have chosen in your registration form are not available, you will be contacted to request additional dates.     Cancellations received more than 24 hours before a scheduled visit will be refunded minus a 20% processing fee. We regret that we must charge full price for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled visit.     Mail or Fax Registration Form PDF

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Contact Information

eYESPY HUNT

Make the most of your school visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory; before your next trip to see us, download this free Conservatory Scavenger hunt PDF, and print off a sheet for each student in your class.

Download the PDF Here!

exploration kits

Classrooms and organizations are discovering the excitement of the Conservatory with the newly revised Exploration Kit. The wonders of ferns, the luscious sweets from the Sweet House, and the newly renovated Palm House all come alive for teachers and students alike. This exciting journey through the Conservatory includes topics from adaptation to the foods we all enjoy in our daily life.

Adults are delighted with the interactive, easy-to-use pullout sheets that colorfully introduce the children in their group to a close-up look at the seeds, stems, leaves and much more. Stories abound and fun activities are available that introduce or reinforce a student’s knowledge of pollination, germination and growth. Teachers are delighted at the way in which the Exploration Kit can be used to enhance their curricular goals.

Important Pre-Visit Information for Teachers                  

A Pre-Visit Guidebook is available to help make your school visit a success. It can be viewed or downloaded in Adobe PDF format. This Guidebook includes information for chaperones, a map to the Conservatory, history of the Conservatory and more. A Self-Guided Tour Pre-Visit Guidebook will be available soon.

 

Preparing to Use the Exploration Kits PDF

FIELD TRIP PREPARATION           

Please note the following when preparing for your  Conservatory field trip:

 All Groups must now pre register for their visit to the Conservatory to ensure entry.

 Groups who arrive without prior registration may have to wait to enter the Conservatory if it is too crowded, and there is no guarantee that space will become available.

 Mail-in and fax registration options are available and described below.

 We recommend that teachers visit the Conservatory prior to their trip and familiarize themselves with the exhibition, the collection and its various habitats.

 Teachers can enhance their tour by using the Exploration Kit! This immersion experience continues throughout the five rooms making it easy for students to feel the differences of each of the Conservatory's environments.

 In order to maximize each child’s experience, the Conservatory requires 1 adult for every 10 children.