Childhood's Gate Children's Garden Tour
Prairie Restoration Site Tour
Storytelling in Children's Garden
Tour Group at Lotus Pool
Tour Group on Event Lawn
Self-guided groups, such as Penn State classes, community groups, and youth organizations, are welcome to experience our living collection of plants free of charge by leading their own walking tours through themed botanic gardens, acres of meadows, and miles of walking paths. Our children’s garden is designed especially for young children and features many opportunities for hands-on discovery and learning through play. Groups are encouraged to utilize our website resources or plan their own explorations to enrich connections between their interests and the plants, pollinators, ecosystems, and art on display.
If your group is planning to remain in a single garden area or feature for any length of time, or if you have organized any speakers, activities, or programs, please let us know. Requests such as these may be subject to additional guidelines or rental fees. Self-guided groups are expected to adhere to all applicable Arboretum Visitor Policies.
Request a Group Visit
Submit a group visit request as early as possible to let us know you’re coming. We can inform you of other events that may be taking place in the gardens on the day of your visit. Requesting a visit does not guarantee exclusive use of any area of the gardens. Rental events, programming, and garden maintenance needs may limit access to areas of the Arboretum.
The Arboretum offers 60- and 90-minute guided group tours of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens on weekdays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., subject to the availability of Arboretum tour guides. This includes guided tours for Penn State classes.
Reservations Required
Submit a group tour request at least three weeks before your planned visit. Reservations are on a first come, first served basis.
Guided Group Tour Fees
- Groups (except those affiliated with the University) will be charged a nonrefundable fee of $60 per 20 individuals for a 60-minute tour or $75 per 20 individuals for a 90-minute tour.
- There is no tour fee for Penn State classes and other University-affiliated groups and organizations.
Guided Group Tour Policy
- A minimum of 8 people is required for a group tour. Groups larger than 20 will be divided between two or more guides.
- If a group needs to cancel or reschedule a guided tour, the group coordinator must notify the Arboretum at least 48 hours before the tour.
- In the event of dangerous weather conditions, tours may be postponed for up to 30 minutes or canceled outright.
Field trips led by Arboretum educators are available according to the following schedule:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon–3:00 p.m.
- Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Teachers and organizers are encouraged to visit the gardens prior to their field trip to gain inspiration and familiarity with the Arboretum.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, public K–12 schools who demonstrate financial need may be eligible to receive a busing reimbursement and full program fee waiver. Please email jtb149@psu.edu for additional details.
Reservations Required
Submit a field trip request at least three weeks before your planned visit. Reservations are on a first come, first served basis.
Field Trip Fees
- The price for a field trip is $7 per child ($70 minimum). Chaperones and teachers are welcome to participate for free.
- Payment is due at the time of the field trip.
Field Trip Policy
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In an emergency, it is expected that groups will execute their internal policies regarding safety, medical, and special needs.
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If a group needs to cancel or reschedule a field trip, the group coordinator must notify the Arboretum as soon as possible.
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Educator-led programs will not extend beyond the scheduled time for late arrivals and may be canceled or suspended by the Arboretum in the event of severe weather.
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Teachers and chaperones are responsible for supervising minors during the visit and ensuring their safety and compliance with garden rules. The following requirements must be met by the organization:
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All individuals who interact with, supervise, chaperone or otherwise oversee minors must be in compliance with relevant background clearance requirements for interacting with children in Pennsylvania.
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A procedure to notify the minor’s parent/legal guardian in case of an emergency, including medical or behavioral problems, natural disasters, or other significant program disruptions must be established. Authorized adults with the program, as well as participants and their parents/legal guardians, must be advised of this procedure in writing prior to the participation of the minors in the program.
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Provide information to parent or legal guardian detailing the manner in which the participant can be contacted during the program.
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No 1:1 contact with minors is permitted. A minimum of 2 adult chaperones from the organization must be present at all times, regardless of the number of minors present, and appropriate ratios of adults to minors must be maintained. Standards for non-residential camps and programs are:
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One adult chaperone for every six participants ages 4 and 5
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One adult chaperone for every eight participants ages 6 to 8
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One adult chaperone for every ten participants ages 9 to 14
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One adult chaperone for every twelve participants ages 15 to 17
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Group Visit Request Form
Requests for guided tours, university course visits, or field trips must be made at least three weeks before your planned visit.
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