Outdoor Gardens,
Lobby + Gift Shop
April - September
10 am – 6 pm daily
October - March
10 am – 4 pm daily
Bolz Conservatory
Closed March 11 - June 14 for Planned Maintenance
Schumacher Library
Permanently Closed
Explorer School Program - Guided Visit
Join us for hands-on, inquiry-based field trips! Olbrich Botanical Gardens invites you and your students to experience the extraordinary world of plants by participating in our Explorer School Programs. Join us as we introduce your students to plants through hands-on, inquiry-based activities that support the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards and the Madison Metropolitan School District Science Curricula Scope and Sequence. We offer three excellent programs (Ecology Explorer, Forest Explorer, and Botany Explorer) designed to meet the academic needs of you and your students. Each program is 90 minutes and includes indoor learning stations and a guided nature walk in the indoor tropical Bolz Conservatory and the outdoor gardens.
Please note that the Bolz Conservatory will be closed for the duration of Botany Explorer. Groups registering for Botany will not be visiting the Tropical Bolz Conservatory and will instead spend more time in the Outdoor Gardens.
Thank you to our 2024 Presenting Sponsor, the Jenni & Kyle Foundation!
Field Trip Details
The Explorer Programs occurs Monday-Thursday in October, February, April and May at 9:30 - 11 am and 12 - 1:30 pm for grades K-5.
Explorer Field Trips can be adjusted for grades 6-8. Please inquire.
Groups booked on Mondays can have their bagged lunches in the Learning Center if desired. Everyone is welcome to use the outdoor tables in front of the building or the other designated picnic areas at any time.
Guided Group Size & Fees
Maximum Group Size: 55 students
Fees:
•$100 per 15-25 total people(students + chaperones)
•$150 per 26-35 total people(students + chaperones)
•$200 per 36-45 total people(students + chaperones)
•$250 per 46-55 total people(students + chaperones)
•$300 per 56-65 total people(maximum 55 students)
Required Chaperones
To determine how many adults are required to attend with your group, please refer to the chart below. Chaperones play an important role in creating a positive and safe learning experience for the entire group. Please distribute a copy of How to be a Chaperone (PDF) to each chaperone before your field trip.
•For 10-20 students, 4 adults are required.
•For 21-40 students, 6 adults are required.
•For 41+ students, 8 adults are required.
*Adults include teachers, school staff, and chaperones.
Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ donors, Explorer School Program and transportation scholarships are available to grades K-5 classrooms in the Madison Metropolitan School District that meet CEP or Title I qualifications, as identified by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Please find more information about scholarship benefits and how to request an application here.
Apply for the Nature Net Express grant program to receive funding reimbursement (up to $300) that can cover transportation costs or trip fees. More information is available at: https://naturenet.org/educatio...
Guided Program Descriptions
Ecology Explorer
October, Grades K-5 (can adjust for Grades 6-8)
The Ecology Explorer School Program investigates the relationship between plants and animals. Students will discover what a habitat is, as well as what it provides plants and animals, through hands-on activities. Students will explore different habitats through a guided tour of our outdoor gardens and scavenger hunt in our indoor tropical conservatory.
The children loved the indoor program with the 3 stations! I wanted to let you know that on the 3rd grade state WKCE test they took the week after being at Olbrich that they had test questions on the water cycle! I think they all aced it.
—K-4th Grade Teacher
Forest Explorer
February, Grades K-5 (can adjust for Grades 6-8)
The Forest Explorer School Program focuses on the unique features of forests. Students will explore characteristics of the tropical rainforest through comparing it to Wisconsin's deciduous forests. This program includes a guided nature walk of the outdoor gardens and a self-guided scavenger hunt to explore the tropical indoor conservatory.
My students were completely engaged. I was so impressed with the subject matter and the hands on materials.
—1st Grade Teacher
Botany Explorer
April & May, Grades K-5 (can adjust for Grades 6-8)
The Botany Explorer School Program concentrates on plants and how they function. Students will discover the parts of a plant; explore various plant adaptations at hands-on learning stations, and pollinator interactions. Participants will explore the outdoor gardens on a guided nature walk and the unique plants in the indoor tropical conservatory on a self-guided scavenger hunt.
Please note that the Bolz Conservatory will be closed for the duration of Botany Explorer. Groups registering for Botany will not be visiting the Tropical Bolz Conservatory and will instead spend more time in the Outdoor Gardens.
It is one of the best field trips I have taken my students on. Very well organized and fits our curriculum perfectly. Thank you.
—2nd Grade Teacher
Scout & Youth Group Programs
Offered by Request
Looking for programs for scout, homeschool, or other community groups? Register your group for one of our scheduled programs or contact us to develop a program suited to your group's needs and interests. Programs are offered year round.
Ephemeral Arts (All Year)
Learn and get inspired by artists that use nature and gather natural materials from the gardens to create “ephemeral art” that is meant to get blown away by the wind.
Medicinal Herbs Exploration (Summer-Fall)
Discover the healing properties of plants by learning how to respectfully harvest herbs from the Herb Garden to bring home for tea, aroma therapy, or beauty.
Mythical Garden Creatures (Summer-Fall)
Learn the myth and lore of gnomes, flower fairies, and nymphs, search for signs of those creatures in the outdoor gardens or conservatory (depending on season) and make your own creature to bring home.
Plant, Water, Grow (Spring-Summer)
Learn about the importance of plants, look closer at a flower and its parts, explore pollinator relationships, and plant a flower to nurture at home!
All About Owls! (All Year)
Learn about owl adaptations, dissect an owl pellet, and explore the gardens for owl habitat and signs of owl activity.
Every Drop Counts (All Year)
Explore how important water is to all of us, create a watershed to showcase pollution and runoff, and play in interactive game to understand the water cycle.
Youth Tours
Interested in a guided trip, but none of the Explorer dates or times work? We can coordinate a 60-minute, interactive youth group tour that includes a closer look at Olbrich's outdoor gardens and a scavenger hunt or tour in the indoor tropical Bolz Conservatory. Tours are available during open hours pending staff or volunteer availability for K-12 grades of up to 65 students. You can pick a theme for your tour to enrich your curriculum or group goals. Choose from the themes below or we'll work with you to create something new!
- Plant adaptations (All Seasons)
- Comparing WI Forests & Tropical Rainforests (All Seasons)
- Habitats (All Seasons)
- Pollinators (Summer)
- Colors of Nature (Summer, Fall, Spring)
Please contact Ariel Christian, School and Out-of-School Programs Specialist, at [email protected] for any Explorer questions, Scout Group inquiries, or to plan a youth tour.
Self-Guided School Groups
Self-Guided Field Trip Details
Planning Your Visit
Self-guided visits are available daily during public hours and at regular admission rates for school, daycare, or youth groups (grades PreK-12). Standard fees, times, and passes may be suspended for special events. Groups with less than 10 students are not required to schedule a visit. Groups larger than 10 people are asked to schedule at least two weeks in advance. Visits scheduled less than two weeks advance are dependent upon availability.
Art or Photography Groups
Art or photography groups of any size planning to draw, paint, or photograph as a group either in the outdoor gardens and/or indoor Bolz Conservatory must schedule with the Education Registrar two weeks in advance. Learn more about our photography policies to determine if your group will need a photo permit.
GROUP SIZES & FEES
Maximum Group Size: 80 students
Outdoor Gardens Fee: Free
Bolz Conservatory Fee: $6 for ages 13 & up, $3 for ages 6-12, Free for ages 5 & under
Required Chaperones
To determine how many adults are required to attend with your group, please refer to the chart below. Required adults are admitted for free, and additional adults will be charged standard admission fees. As a note, adults include teachers, school staff, and chaperones.
Chaperones play an important role in creating a positive and safe learning experience for the entire group. Please distribute a copy of How to be a Chaperone (PDF) to each chaperone before your field trip.
•For 10-20 students, 4 adults are required. The 4 required adults are free. Additional adults will be charged standard admission fees.
•For 21-30 students, 5 adults are required. The 5 required adults are free. Additional adults will be charged standard admission fees.
•For 31-40 students, 6 adults are required. The 6 required adults are free. Additional adults will be charged standard admission fees.
•For 41-50 students, 7 adults are required. The 7 required adults are free. Additional adults will be charged standard admission fees.
•For 51-60 students, 8 adults are required. The 8 required adults are free. Additional adults will be charged standard admission fees.
•For 61-70 students, 9 adults are required. The 9 required adults are free. Additional adults will be charged standard admission fees.
•For 71-80 students, 10 adults are required. The 10 required adults are free. Additional adults will be charged standard admission fees.
*Adults include teachers, school staff, and chaperones.
Bus Parking
Due to limited parking, buses will not be allowed to park in Olbrich Gardens' parking lot. Please reference this map of alternative parking locations. Exchange phone numbers with your bus driver(s) so you can contact them when you are ready to depart.
Visitor Guidelines & Group Etiquette
Please review and share these Visitor Guidelines with your students and chaperones before visiting Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
Requests for more information or reservations can be made by contacting our Education team at [email protected] or 608-245-3648.