FIELD TRIP VISITOR GUIDE TO DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Garden is so excited to welcome your field trip group. Please read this guide to prepare for your visit.
WHAT TO BRING
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Hat & Sunglasses
• Camera
• Comfortable Shoes
WHAT TO EXPECT Trails
Students will explore unique trails home to thousands of desert plants. Trails are open and sunny with access to restrooms and water bottle refilling stations. Your visit includes all main trails with the exception of the Garden Restaurant, Garden Gift Shop, and Cactus Clubhouse.
Safety
Students must stay with chaperones at all times. Please stay on the trails for the safety of the plants and animals, and you.
Groups: Split your participants into groups of about 20 students with chaperones to best experience the Garden.
Plan Your Field Trip: Use the Field Trip Map to plan your visit.
Download the Garden App for an interactive map version.
LUNCH & FOOD
Outside food and drink besides water are not allowed in the Garden and there is not a space on-site for lunch. We recommend Papago Park for lunch before or after your visit and using time on the bus for snacks. Please note there is also not a space for us to store sack lunches.
PARKING & ARRIVAL
On the day of your arrival, an education team member will meet your group and orient you to the Garden. Please text or call when you are ten minutes away (602.291.9027).
Bus/Van Arrival Map
Students will unload along the curb by the bus zone and park in the Bus/RV lot. A Garden Educator will meet you there.
Individual Vehicle Arrival
Please use the Visitor Parking lot and walk to admissions to meet a Garden Educator.
See the Field Trip Map for parking details
COST & PAYMENT
Pricing
The price is $12 per student. We recommend one chaperone for every five elementary students and one for every 10 middle and high school students. Chaperones and teachers are complimentary within ratio. If you are a Title I school or price is prohibitive to your visit, please email lmcgeorge@dbg.org to request funding support.
Payment & Refunds
Payment must be received three days before your visit and can be paid via credit card, check or purchase order. Please notify our team as soon as possible regarding cancelations or rescheduling.
VISIT GUIDELINES
Please Review with Students:
• Stay on the Trails | Keep on the trails at all times for the safety of the plants and animals, and you. If you’re quiet, you may see some animals too. Do not run on the trail. If your group needs to stop, please move to one side to allow others to pass.
• Take Care of Nature | Pick up your trash and respect the plants and animals in the Garden.
• Stay in Your Groups | Stick together on the trails and when accessing restrooms and keep your chaperone near you at all times.
• Listen and Observe | You may get to see Garden staff and stations. Listen to instructions and raise your hand to ask questions
• Ask Questions, Be Curious and Have Fun | Use all of your senses to enjoy the beauty of the desert.
ADD ON EXPERIENCES
Butterfly Pavilion & Special Exhibits
When available, field trips may visit special exhibitions. Access to exhibitions must be requested before your visit. Please adhere to Field Trip Guidelines in exhibition spaces.
If you are adding the Butterfly Pavilion or Special Exhibition, please read the exhibit guidelines on the next page.
Happiness Tour
The Happiness Tour is a free audio tour that guides you to six tranquil locations in the Garden where you can experience the natural beauty and peace of the Sonoran Desert. Access this tour here.
CONTACT
Field Trip Phone Number
602.291.9027
Rangers Phone Number 602.292.3546
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you have questions or need any accommodation to make your experience better, contact lmcgeorge@dbg.org.
EXHIBIT GUIDELINES
BUTTERFLIES
The Cohn Family Butterfly Pavilion features thousands of monarchs and Southwestern butterflies along with lush plants, bright blooms and popular pollinators.
Please review with students and chaperones: Your group will be assigned an entry time. Once you enter the Butterfly Pavilion space, please make your way around the general admission line and find the sign for “School Tour Gathering Area.” Please line up here and a staff member will greet you for entrance.
Please be patient with the entrance flow – the staff is working hard to keep all butterflies inside the exhibit and ensure the best experience for guests and the butterflies. Your group will be split into groups of ten for entry. There is only one entrance and one exit for the pavilion. Once inside, please assist staff and volunteers with keeping the butterflies safe with the following guidelines.
Please review with students:
• Do not touch the butterflies | Butterflies are very fragile. Keep your hands to yourselves for the safety of the butterflies and you.
• Watch your step | Butterflies often rest on the sidewalks. Please watch your step.
• Do not pick any flowers | Butterflies use flowers and plants in the exhibit for food and shelter. Please leave them for the butterflies.
• Ask questions, be curious and have fun | Use all of your senses to enjoy the beauty of the desert.
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS
Please review with students and chaperones: Exhibition pieces are accessible along the Garden trails and in The RAF Exhibit Gallery. There is only one entrance and one exit to the gallery space. No dogs permitted in the indoor gallery space, except service animals.
Gallery Expectations:
• Watch your step | The gallery space may be dark and there should be no running inside.
• Enjoy exhibit pieces with eyes and ears only
• All field trip expectations apply inside the gallery as well.