School Programs

Elementary school classes from throughout the Sacramento Valley come to the UC Davis Arboretum to learn about the natural history of the region. During guided tours, volunteer naturalists lead small groups that explore the ecology of the Arboretum along the banks of the old north fork of Putah Creek, and use hands-on activities to reinforce the California life science and/or history-social science standards for each grade. Classes can also visit the Arboretum independently and tour the gardens.

Guided Tours: 2009–10

Fall Tour Season (October-November)
Grade 3: Traditional Uses of California Native Plants

Spring Tour Season (April-May)
Grade 2: Cycles of Life
Grade 4: Amazing Adaptations

School programs, designed for Grades 2-4, are scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9:30–11:30 a.m., in the fall and spring. The fee is $5 per student. There is a 10 student minimum and a 40 student maximum.

Important Changes: Due to a realignment of our tour themes with California State Standards, the “Traditional Uses of Native Plants” tour is now being offered to 3rd grade classes in fall and the “Amazing Adaptations” tour is being offered to 4th grade classes in spring. This year, 3rd and 4th grade teachers may choose either the fall 3rd grade tour or the spring 4th grade tour. Teachers of 2nd grade may only sign up for the 2nd grade “Cycles of Life” tour in the spring.

To sign up, please submit a completed tour application and payment. You will then receive a confirmation packet with directions, chaperone guidelines, and suggested pre-visit and post-visit activities for the students. For more information, please contact us at (530) 752-4880 or arboretum@ucdavis.edu. We look forward to seeing you at the UC Davis Arboretum.

Planning and Organizing Your Class Visit

School Tour Application
What is the Arboretum?
Guidelines for Your Visit
Information for Teachers and Chaperones

Directions
Transportation & Directions to Wyatt Deck
Map to Wyatt Deck
Arboretum Visitor Map

Other Opportunities with Outdoor Education

Self-Guided Tours are another popular option for classes wishing to explore the UC Davis Arboretum. These tours are free. Call (530) 752-4880 for more information.

Volunteer Naturalists. Community volunteers are vital to our Outdoor Education Program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer naturalist or working with us on a school project (examples: school garden, environmental curriculum, special tours), please contact us at (530) 752-4880 or arboretum@ucdavis.edu. For more information on volunteering, click here: Volunteering at the
UC Davis Arboretum.

Student Interns are invited to get hands-on experience in outdoor education and leading school tours. Interns can receive up to 3 units per quarter or 2 units per semester with the UC Davis Arboretum. For more information on our internship program, click here: Internships at the UC Davis Arboretum.