Field Trips

The Conservatory offers guided or self-guided visits for all ages.

San Francisco public and private school groups have free admission to the Conservatory with advance reservations. All school groups must have a 1:6 ratio of chaperone to student. Chaperones are admitted for free.

GUIDED TOURS
3rd-5th Grade
Adaptation - Plant Survivors!
Docent-led tours for 3rd-5th grade classes introduce students to the unique adaptation strategies plants develop to survive in tropical environments. The Conservatory can accommodate classes with up to 36 students. Tours are held September through May at 10:00 a.m. and admission fees are waived. Registration for the 2012/13 school year is closed. Registration for 2013/14 opens August 15.

Adaptation tour teacher prep materials.

SELF-GUIDED VISITS
Educational materials for self-guided visits are available for all ages during the school year and over the summer.

Pre-school-1st Grade
These postcards and crayons are the perfect keepsake for a youngster’s visit to the jungle. Children have two designs to choose from - the beautiful Amazon water lily or the carnivorous pitcher plant.

2nd-5th Grade
Eye Spy the Tasty Tropics! This free activity sheet was created as part of the Let's Move! Museums and Gardens campaign. Students will explore the foods of the tropics while learning about healthy eating. Eye Spy sheets are available at the Conservatory's ticket booth to groups with reservations, along with a teacher's box that contains examples of fruit, spices, and maps.

6th-8th Grade
Students will go on a history scavenger hunt and complete an activity about rare plants and ecology.

Middle School Handout

Middle School Teacher's Answer Key

9th-12th Grade
Students will go on an evolution scavenger hunt, observe leaf structures and purposes, and complete an activity about Victorian era history.

High School Handout

High School Teacher's Answer Key

Victorian Era Activity (available at the ticket booth)

K-8th Grade
Exploring the New Guinea Highlands. Learn more about this self-guided tour.

SCHEDULE A SELF-GUIDED VISIT
All school groups can make a reservation for a self-guided visit Tuesday through Friday from 11:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the school year, and starting at 10:00 a.m. during the summer. Please E-mail Erika Frank at efrank@sfcof.org with the following information:

• group name
• contact name and phone number
• date and time of visit
• number of students and chaperones in group
• grade of students

Funding for educational programs is provided by the Gold Foundation, The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, the San Francisco Garden Club, and the San Francisco Parks Alliance.

See an Adaptation tour in action!