School Programs FAQs
We strive to provide excellent customer service for all of our educational programming. Please refer to the information below if you have questions about our programming. For further concerns, please contact our Education staff weekdays from 9am-5pm at 214.515.6540 or education@dallasarboretum.org. During peak seasons (fall and spring), we recommend contacting us via email for fastest customer service.
What types of programs do you offer?
We offer field trips to the Arboretum, outreach programs during the school day at your site, and after school programs at your site. Check out all of our offerings in the Digital Educator Guide.
What information should I have ready before scheduling a reservation?
Please have the name and contact information of your school office manager, approval from your principal or head of school, and your top selections for program, date, and arrival time.
What is the fee for educational student pricing?
Find pricing information for field trips and outreach programs navigating from the Children’s School Programs page.
Can I upgrade to include the Children’s Adventure Garden?
Arboretum teacher-led programs include Children’s Adventure Garden access. Self-guided visits may add Children’s Adventure Garden access for $3 per person (pre-purchase, only) grades PreK to 8th.
Can I use my membership or comp tickets for education programming?
Dallas Arboretum membership or complimentary tickets are not valid for participants in scheduled educational field trips, unless specifically advertised on our website.
When should I contact the Arboretum to schedule a reservation?
Reservations for the 2024-2025 school year open August 1, 2024 . Dates are available on a first come first serve basis. To book your field trip or Garden on the Go outreach program, use our online request form.
How do I know which programs are available on which dates?
Check by submitting a request for the specific programs and dates that interest you. You will receive a phone call or email to complete your confirmation of the field trip. Contact the Education Department at education@dallasarboretum.org if you would like to check specific availability prior to submitting your field trip or outreach request.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. The Arboretum offers financial assistance of up to 50% off Title I student costs for Arboretum teacher-led educational programming. Please request financial aid when you submit your field trip request. In addition, the Arboretum has limited funds to offer a $100 bus stipend for Title I campuses that will be paid upon completion of your field trip. Field trips must be paid in full before receiving a bus stipend.
When will we receive our bus stipend?
If you have been awarded a bus stipend, it will be mailed to your campus the first week of the month following your visit. A $0 balance is required for bus stipend checks to be awarded.
When are field trips available?
Field Trips are available from 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday, when the Dallas Arboretum is open for business. Evening, overnight or weekend experiences may be available at additional or separate cost.
How long is the average field trip?
We recommend at least three hours for a self-guided visit, but you may spend as little or as much time as you like. An educational lesson is 45 minutes to 1 hour in duration, with the remainder of your time available for children to explore the garden. For a grade level of 100 students, we will need up to 4 hours to rotate all groups through the program. Allow time in your schedule for a picnic lunch, too. Field Trips are offered from 9am-5pm.
When is the payment due?
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required within 2 weeks from time of reservation confirmation by the Education Department. Final payment is due 2-weeks prior to scheduled visit date. If not paying in full at the time of the reservation, please plan to have payment mailed in advance to ensure it arrives by the due date. Credit card payments accepted.
Programs reserved less than 30 days in advance of booked date require full payment upon reservation confirmation, of which 50% will be non-refundable. If payment is not made by due date, we reserve the right to open your booked reservation dates and class times to others.
Is it possible to change my reservation date, schedule or attendance number?
All schedule changes must be made no later than two weeks before your visit unless the Arboretum is closed due to inclement weather. If you need to reschedule your reservation, you must contact the Reservations Department (education@dallasarboretum.org) at least two weeks before your scheduled visit in order to apply the payment to one new visit date. Cancellations made less than two weeks from the scheduled visit date are subject to full payment.
Are field trip tickets mailed?
No, individual tickets are not printed for group reservations. You will receive a confirmation email that will serve as your group ticket, and you will check your entire group in at the gate location listed in your confirmation email upon arrival.
I’ve already made my final payment, and now extra parents want to attend. What are my options?
Parents can purchase discounted chaperone admission at the ticket booth the day of their field trip. Any person driving their own vehicle is responsible for parking fees. Discounted parking is available for purchase online prior to your arrival.
What are your cancellation and refund policies?
No refunds except in the event of garden closings due to inclement weather or other issues deemed serious enough by the Dallas Arboretum to warrant cancellations. The Arboretum does not issue refunds or tickets for absent group members nor will it make adjustments to the attendance number past the time of booking confirmation, except to add additional tickets as needed.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your reservation, you MUST email Reservations at education@dallasarboretum.org TWO WEEKS before your scheduled visit in order for your payment to apply to one (1) future visit. Any additional future changes in bookings will require rebooking and a new 50% deposit.
What should I bring?
Please bring a copy of your payment confirmation email with an accurate count of students, teachers and parents present on trip day. We do not refund for group members absent on the day of your visit.
Where does my program meet?
You will receive a confirmation email with your reservation which gives complete arrival instructions.
For Arboretum teacher-led programs you will also receive a pre-visit email which includes either a Main Garden map or a Children’s Adventure Garden map. You may also find the Chaperone Guide and Field Trip Tips useful.
What happens if we’re late?
If you are scheduled for a guided program, you should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your first program. When unexpected traffic or stormy weather delays your arrival, please email education@dallasarboretum.org if possible. We will do our best to accommodate your group, but we are unable to guarantee an adjusted schedule for teacher-led programs.
Our reservations staff is typically outside checking in school groups by 9am, so they are unable to answer telephone calls until all field trip check-ins are completed.
Where do we eat lunch?
Please plan for an outdoor picnic. Lunches and coolers may be kept in the school picnic area. In the Children’s Adventure Garden this is located in the Incredible Edibles gallery. In the Main Garden, the staff member checking in your group can provide several options to choose from based upon the season. For students arriving at the Main Garden, it is recommended that each student or chaperone carry their own lunch. This will allow for more flexibility traveling between Main Garden and Children’s Adventure Garden. Students are free to eat in any open grassy areas or designated picnic areas.
Please be sure you clearly mark your school’s lunches and coolers. We highly recommend that you bring wheeled coolers as our staff is unable to assist with moving coolers to your desired location. The Dallas Arboretum is not responsible for lost or misplaced items. Please note that the dining terrace seating, near the main entrance, is reserved for customers only.