Arboretum Adventures
Field Trips to Boyce Thompson Arboretum are fun, hands-on, immersive experiences. Learners’ adventures on the trails are full of discovery and connection to the natural world.
Each field trip helps learners improve their science inquiry skills and is tied to Arizona State Science Standards. Plus, they follow the 5 E Instructional Model for deep, high-quality learning.
For questions, please reach out to [email protected]
Field Trips Offered
SELF-GUIDED | Grades: K-12th
Explore the Arboretum at your own pace! Students can walk through five miles of trails to collections from around the world. Educators are welcome to bring their own activities to add to the adventure!
HOME SWEET HOME | Grades: K-2nd
Students will discover the four essential components of habitats and how animals thrive in the desert that they call home. This program includes two guided activities that allow students to take a closer look at signs of habitats all around them.
This program aligns with Arizona state science standards: K.L2U1.8, 1.L2U2.7, 1.L2U1.8, 2.L2U1.9, 2.L2U1.10, K.L2U1.8, 1.L2U2.7, 1.L2U1.8, 2.L2U1.9, 2.L2U1.1
WILDLIFE DETECTIVES | Grades 3rd – 4th
Students will act as junior biologists to investigate skulls, scat, and signs of animal activity in the arboretum to better understand adaptations of wildlife in the Sonoran Desert.
This program aligns with Arizona state science standards: 3.L1U1.5, 3.L1U1.6, 3.L2U1.8, 4.L4U1.11
HUMANS AND HABITATS | Grades 5th – 6th
Through exploration of features in the arboretum, students will identify the interconnectedness of ecosystems before examining how human activities might impact those systems and the species within them.
This program aligns with Arizona state science standards: 5.L4U3.11, 5.P2U1.3, 6.L2U3.11, 6.L2U3.12, 6.L2U1.13, 6.L2U1.14
ARBORETUM DISCOVERY TOUR | Grades 9th – 12th
Enjoy a one-hour guided walking tour of the Arboretum to learn about its 100-year history and the fascinating plants within it. Not recommended for younger learners.
Join us for an Arboretum Adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do field trips cost?
Guided field trips are $9 per learner.
Self-guided field trips are $7 per learner.
When are field trips available?
Field Trips are available October-April, weekdays Wednesday through Friday. Some blackout dates apply.
How many students can participate in a field trip?
Guided field trips can accommodate up to 80 students. Self-guided field trips can accommodate up to 120 students. Kindly note that schools wishing to book larger field trips must divide the group and book separate days. Our minimum for a guided field trip is 15 students.
What happens if I bring less than 15 learners?
You will be charged the minimum of $107 for self-guided trips and $135 for guided trips.
How many teachers or chaperones need to join?
Boyce Thompson Arboretum requests that groups provide a 1:5 ratio for all guided and self-guided experiences. Teachers are always free; one chaperone per five students is free. Additional chaperones over the 1:5 ratio are welcome to attend but will be charged $10 per adult. For homeschool groups, all adults must pay the $10 chaperone fee.
Can extra chaperones pay on the day of the field trip?
No. All extra chaperones must prepay the school prior to the field trip. Otherwise, they will be charged full admission at the admissions booth.
Can homeschool groups participate?
We welcome you to bring your group out to the Arboretum! Self-guided field trips are the most popular option for our homeschool groups as it allows flexibility of group size and variety of ages. Please note that for all guided field trip bookings, the minimum student registrants is enforced. Students must fall within the selected program grade levels to participate.
How soon in advance do I need to book?
We kindly ask that you request field trips a minimum of four weeks prior to your program date.
Do you offer discounts to Title One schools?
Discounted field trip rates are available upon request, while funding lasts. Funding is prioritized on a first come, first served basis. Title One schools receive a $3 per student discount.
Can I bring my dog on the field trip?
In order to support a conducive learning environment, please leave pets at home. Service animals are always welcome.
What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel or reschedule your trip up to 14 days before your field trip
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Did you know Carob pods are edible? When they turn dark brown, wrinkled, and glossy, they are good to eat!
Our Carob trees are flowing with pods. Not only are they enjoyed by the local wildlife, carob pods can also be used as a chocolate substitute for baking! If you`re feeling adventurous, grab some carob powder from the store and see what you can make with it. Don`t forget to tell us the results!
#carobpods #carobtree #carobpowder #desertlegumes #aznature #natureeducation #plantlovers
Hoodia gordonii has beautiful salmon-pink flowers that look like hats on top of spiky stems! Because of this uniquely shaped bloom, it`s also known as Bushman`s Hat.
You can these blooming succulents in the east wing of the Smith Greenhouse. 💚
#desertblooms #desertflowers #succulentbloom #bushmanshat #HoodiaGordonii
You know about tree huggers - but where are the cactus huggers at? 🌵
We kid. Please don`t hug any cacti. 😅We`re sure they can feel the love from afar! You can see this towering cardón in our Cactus and Succulents Garden. See the link in our bio to plan your visit today!
#cactuslovers #cardón #naturelovers #arizonanature
Did you know that Jatropha macrocarpa (or Barbados Nut) can be used to produce biofuel? That`s because its seeds contain an average of 34% oil! If you look closely at this plant, you`ll spot little green pods. Inside are developing seeds that will mature as the pods turn yellow.
You can see this remarkable plant up close in the Smith Greenhouse. Plan your visit today!
#Barbadosnut #jatropha #plantlovers #plantfacts #naturelovers #btarboretum
Have you visited our Eucalyptus Forest? Walking through the trails is truly an immersive experience. You`ll see:
🍃Mr. Big, the largest red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in the United States
🍃A rock labyrinth for meditation (located in Conifer Corner)
🍃Eucalyptus trees shedding bark to accommodate their rapid growth
🍃Intricate tree stumps and trunks, some of which have been turned into benches!
🍃Benson Bridge, which crosses over Silver King Wash
What`s your favorite part of the Eucalyptus Forest? Let us know in the comments! 👇
#eucalyptus #redrivergum #australianplants #labyrinthmeditation #btarboretum #ExploreNature
Something new is flowering in the Wallace Region! The Nolina nelsonii, or Blue Nolina, is a slow-growing succulent that may only bloom once in its lifetime. This plant has likely been growing for 15-20+ years, building up to this one spectacular moment. Its truly an honor to witness it`s final bloom.
Plan your visit today to see our summer blooms!
#deathbloom #bluenolina #nolina #succulentbloom #plantfacts #plantlovers
We`re hiring! Join the team that makes this beautiful garden thrive. Open positions include:
🌵 Welcome Center Sales Associate
🌵 Development Administrative Assistant
🌵 Executive Assistant
🌵 Membership Coordinator
🌵 Maintenance Technician
🌵 Marketing Strategist
Apply today at btarboretum.org/careers (link in bio). We look forward to hearing from you!
#btarboretum #superiorarizona #ArizonaHiring #openpositions #WeAreHiring
The littoral zone is the region where land and water meet! At our manmade reservoir, the littoral zone is made up of cattails, which provide habitat to birds, insects, and amphibians.
Next time you visit us, stop by Ayer Lake to see if you can spot any life among the cattails!
#aznature #naturelovers #natureeducation #littoralzone #cattails