Self-guided Field Trips

Pre-K through 12th Grades

Students on a field trip Customize your Wildflower Center visit to best suit your time, needs and interests.

Visit the Luci and Ian Family Garden to play on the Play Lawn, search for critters in Dino Creek, and test balance skills in the Stumpery. Learn about historic trees and swing under the Cathedral of Oaks in our Texas Arboretum. Look for pollinators in the Pollinator Habitat Garden and stop by the Insectary to see caterpillars busy munching on leaves. What to do is up to you!

DETAILS

Available:
By reservation only; reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance

Offered:
Jan. – June: Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
July – Aug., Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m – 1 p.m.
Sept. – Dec., Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Group size:
Five to 185 students

Cost:
$5 per student, $12 per teacher/chaperone, 1 free teacher admission per every 15 students. 5 participant minimum. 6:1 ratio of students to chaperones required.*

New! Free admission for Title 1 self-guided school field trips:

Free admission for Title 1 school students until funding is exhausted.
This program is for Title 1 designated campuses in the Region 13 Education Service Center boundaries.
Funding is only for students.
Funding is for self-guided field trips only.
Funding for this grant is for Title 1 designated campuses and NOT Title 1 targeted programs.
Targeted programs can still qualify for our 10% discount for students.

*Member benefits/free admission does not apply for group rates.

Additional Information & Policies

Drop Off & Parking

The bus passenger drop-off area is in front of the Admissions Kiosk. Buses may unload and load passengers in this zone. Buses should proceed to the bus parking area near the parking lot exit or to La Crosse Avenue for parking.

Running early or later? Please let us know by calling 512.232.0100 (press 8 to speak with someone).

Check-in

Please check in at the Admissions Kiosk. All remaining fees are payable at the kiosk via credit card only. Only one payment is accepted per group. Any additional payments are charged full-price admission.

Garden Etiquette

Please review the Garden Etiquette rules before you arrive and communicate those to your leaders and scouts.

Chaperones

Leaders and chaperones are required for all visits. The recommended chaperone to student ratio is:

One chaperone per five pre-K to elementary school students
One chaperone per 12 middle to high school students

Additional chaperones may join the group at the general admission fee. All scout group reservations must be paid in one payment to qualify for the group rate. Payments are final and non-refundable. Coupons and member benefits (free admission) do not apply to group visits.

Food & Picnics

There are two designated areas with one in the parking area and one in the gardens. Tables, inside and outside, for the Wildflower Café are for restaurant customers only. Picnic areas are first come, first served. All trash generated from school lunches and picnics must be packed up and removed by the group. The Wildflower Center would like to encourage all scout groups to generate as little trash as possible during their visit.

Cancellation and No-show Policy

Cancellations should be made no less than ten business days before the reserved date to avoid the $30 cancellation fee. Groups that do not show up for the reserved date will be assessed a $30 no-show fee. Fee must be paid within 30 days of cancellation or no-show date.

Rescheduling

If you must reschedule or make changes, please contact us as soon as possible and preferably no later than 10 business days before your scheduled visit. Trips canceled due to weather can be rescheduled depending upon available dates.

Rain Policy

Field trips may be canceled due to weather by either the Wildflower Center or school staff. Generally field trips are held as scheduled as long as the weather is free of thunder, lightning, and heavy rains. f it should be raining on the day of your scheduled visit, here are our guidelines: As long as it is only drizzling and there is no thunder and lightning, come on out. Bring rain ponchos and have a great time. Schools should check the radar and use their own discretion whether they want to go ahead and visit.

Please call 512.232.0100 (press 8 to speak with someone) and let us know if you decide to not visit due to rain.

Weapons Policy

Please review the Weapons Policy here.