Education is central to the Garden's mission and children's education forms the cornerstone of our education program. Children, who learn early about the wonders of Earth's natural heritage, are inspired to respect, conserve and protect our natural habitats and the biodiversity they harbor.

• Click Here for a listing of available Children's programs

Summer camp activities at the Garden

Field Trips
The Garden Field Trips provide an excellent opportunity for school children to learn about plants and nature. Field trips are scheduled Tuesdays through Friday mornings throughout the school year. Hands-on activities guide children through the various gardens, natural areas, and the conservatory. All field trips are correlated to Georgia Performance Standards. Available topics include Foreco's Garden, Really Remarkable Rainforest, Stream Adventures, Amazing Medicinal Plants, and Treats and Treasures from the Botanical World.

• Check Field Trip availability and Regitration on-line
• Download Fieldtrip Forms Here
• Contact the Garden Education Department by Email
• Contact the Garden Education Department by phone at 706-542-6156

Garden Earth Naturalist (GEN) school clubs provide fun, informal, environmental education for children in after-school settings. GEN supports teachers and 4-H agents in providing environmental education meeting state standards. GEN clubs help children better understand Earth's ecosystems, value the "services" these ecosystems provide, and take positive actions through service learning projects on their on school sites. For additional information, teachers or parents should call 706-542-6156 or e-mail sbgeduc@uga.edu.

Summer camps are a popular activity for children and great way for children to learn about plants and the environment. Camp activities include discovery hunts, science experiments, puppet shows, stream investigations, hikes and nature crafts—all age appropriate. Several camps are offered for different ages. For additional information, dates and registration forms, see this page. A limited number of scholarships and junior counselor positions are available; for information, call 706-542-6156 or e-mail sbgeduc@uga.edu.

Family festivals engage broad and diverse audiences. Insect-ival is a "creepy, crawly, fun event" for the whole family. Learn about the fascinating world of insects and their value to mankind. Discovery stations, static displays, roach and beetle races, and the opportunity to hold live insect specimens intrigue children and adults. ForestFest focuses on forests and their importance. Through close encounters with live forest animals, displays, games and a variety of hands-on activities, children and their parents explore the temperate forests of Georgia and the tropical forests of South America. For further information and to see when the next festival is scheduled, go here.

Some of the many other children's programs offered throughout the year include Monarch Madness, Conservatory Rambles, Stream Adventures, puppet shows and special age appropriate craft-making classes. Visit this page to learn more about these programs and scheduled offerings.

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