Field Trips & Tours
Field Trips and Educational Group Tours at VanDusen Garden and Bloedel Conservatory
Join us at VanDusen Botanical Garden or Bloedel Conservatory for a safe and interactive learning experience for school and community groups looking for local field trip opportunities! Or purchase our seasonal Nature Kits to bring back to the classroom.
We offer Field Trip Bursaries to underserved schools and community groups for all of our programs.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
We offer guided tours, self-directed education tours, takeaway programs, custom tours, and our annual Pollinator Days Festival.
- Our 90-minute and 45-minute guided programs are led by our environmental educators with a variety of themes to choose from.
- Our self-directed education tours include curated educational materials and an introductory activity with our team. All programs are designed with curriculum connections in mind for grades from K through Grade 12.
- Pollinator Days is our annual field trip festival experience for students to learn about pollinators and the environments that support them.
- Our new and exciting Nature Kits are now available for purchase. Each seasonal kit provides an opportunity for teachers to bring curated environmental education activities. back to their classrooms, to be completed with students.
90 Minute Guided Programs
Browse our 90 Minute Guided Programs:
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+-A Sense of Nature (Gr. K-2)
Rough, smooth, stinky, dark green, pointy. As they explore the garden, students describe and compare similarities and differences among plants using as many of their senses as they can. Foster the young biologists in your students, encouraging them to explore nature through focused observation, playful learning games, and collaborative outdoor activities. As they explore seasonal highlights in the Garden, students identify key parts and functions of plants, play the maple leaf match-up, make earth art, and more!
Learning Objectives:
- Describe and compare plants using different resources, including their senses
- Identify similarities and differences among plants.
- Identify key parts of a plant (roots, stem, leaves, flowers and fruit)
- List the basic factors necessary for plants to grow (water, nutrients, air, and sunlight)
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+-Ecosystem Explorers (Gr. 3-6)
Within the tranquil beauty of VanDusen exists a complex and intimately-connected ecosystem. Investigate how native plants interact with other organisms in BC’s environment, exploring interdependence hands-on with focused observation and basic tools. Students unearth the vital role decomposers play during a soil search, as well as collaborate to construct a food web.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize how different components of an ecosystem are interconnected
- Document observations and data on ecosystem interactions
- Observe the biodiversity and complexity found within the VanDusen Garden ecosystem
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+-Fantastic Flowers (Gr. 1-4)
As students enjoy the beauty and fragrance of flowers throughout VanDusen, they investigate the parts of a flower, their role in pollination, and how pollination fits in the life cycle of flowering plants. Students will search for pollinators in action -including a visit to our active beehives -while explor-ing the connections between pollinators, plants, and food production.
Learning Objectives:
- Search for a variety of flowers and pollinators and observe them in action
- Learn about the parts of a flower and how each part is involved in the pollination process
- Link pollination to the life cycle of flowering plants
- Begin to understand the interdependence between pollinators and plants and how they are linked to the everyday needs of human beings
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+-Pond Peering (Gr. 1-4) May and June only
Hidden beneath the surface of VanDusen’s ponds and streams is a diverse world of beautiful and strange life. Students learn about and explore the aquatic environment, use nets to dip below the surface and identify the creatures they find. Students will also seek out the plants and animals that make their homes along the pond’s edge.
Learning Objectives:
- Investigate various water bodies looking for plants and wildlife
- Understand the pond as a layered ecosystem (edges, bottom, water column, surface)
- Collect, observe, and identify aquatic invertebrates
- Learn that life cycles and survival are features of animal life
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+-Seed Secrets (Gr. K-4) October and November only
Seeds fly, float, hitchhike – even travel through the stomachs of birds – to spread to new places and grow. Students explore the Garden, delighting in the beauty of fall colour while they search for seeds with parachutes, hooks, or fleshy fruit surrounding them. Students dissect seeds and make “seed babies” to take home.
Learning Objectives:
- Consider how fall differs from other seasons
- Begin to recognize the variety of seeds found in the natural environment
- Discover the ingenious ways that seeds disperse themselves, and why
- Relate seed dispersal to the life cycle of a flowering plant
45 Minute Guided Program Themes
Browse our 45 Minute Guided Programs:
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+-Glimpse of the Garden (Gr. K-7)
Students journey along the water’s edge, between volcanic walls, and among forest groves where they meet iconic native and exotic species. These budding naturalists will connect with their environment, use their senses to develop observational skills, understand the role of humans -including First Peoples -in ecosystems, and participate in storytelling and interactive games.
Program instruction is presented in alignment with the BC curriculum communication, creative and critical thinking, and social responsibility
Learning Objectives:
- Describe and compare plants using different resources, including their senses
- Identify similarities and differences among plants
- Recognize how different components of an ecosystem are interconnected
- Understand the role of humans in ecosystems, including the traditional uses of plants among local First Peoples
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+-Natural Heritage Walk (Gr. 8-10)
While exploring the Garden to meet iconic trees and ancient plants, students think about how our interaction with the land changes over time, space, and culture – including the important perspectives of First Peoples. Students make sense of their place in this world through observation, storytelling, and collaborative learning as they gain historical context for the local environment.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the history of the Garden and think about how people interact with the land and how that relationship changes over time and space
- Understand how storytelling can pass on lessons, impart knowledge, and be a window into how people relate to nature and each other in a particular time, culture, or area. Kids will create their own story that communicates personal knowledge and values
- Identify a selection of iconic trees – including catalpa, Douglas-fir, and maples – and ancient plants – such as horsetail, gunnera, or ferns.
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+-Strategizing Sustainability (Gr. 8-12)
In a city striving to be the greenest in the world, students analyze and apply sustainability theories through a variety of activities, such as debating, budgeting, or waste auditing. This program presents contemporary environmental issues to students and challenges them to strategize solutions – including how they can become agents of change.
Learning Objectives:
- Consider and think critically about the intersection of commerce and environmental sustainability.
- Make connections between their actions, the actions of companies, and how those actions impact the environment.
- Learn what systems and resources they and companies can use to increase environmental sustainability
Self-Directed Education Tours
By booking a teacher led visit, you will gain access to our catalogue of self-directed learning materials, which include tours, activities, and other resources. Teacher led visits are designed to meet BC Curricular requirements with the content provided, while allowing teachers to incorporate their own lessons at their own pace.
VBGA Education staff will work with teachers before their visit to identify the best resources for their classes. We will greet the group upon arrival for a short educational introductory exercise and review of the Code of Conduct before you explore the Garden. An Education team member will be available for assistance during your visit.
Groups that book ahead may also request for a space to store their belongings during the visit.
Self-Directed Education Tour Themes:
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+-Adaptation Exploration (Gr. 2-7)
Adaptations are features, traits, or characteristics that help an organism survive and thrive in its environment, and can be classified as structural or behavioral.
Students will understand:
- Living things have adaptations that help them survive and reproduce in their environment
- Adaptations can be either structural or behavioral
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+-A Sense of Spring (Gr. K-3)
This self-guided program takes you to some of the more spectacular parts of the Garden in the spring season. Exact blooming times are in the hands of Mother Nature, so you may find not everything will be in bloom while you visit. As you walk along, be sure to look way up and way down so as not to miss any of the beauty unfolding.
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+-Art in the Garden (Gr 3-7)
Explore themes of art and nature, view artworks and practice artistic techniques in the beautiful outdoor setting of VanDusen Botanical Garden. This program provides background information on several of the artworks in the Garden as well as activities, discussion points, and extension projects to try back in the classroom.
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+-Biodiversity Detectives (Gr. 2-7)
Biodiversity is important! A variety of living things allows ecosystems to maintain critical ecological services – like providing clean water and air. Biodiversity ensures resilience during natural disasters and preserves the ability of species and ecosystems to evolve under changing conditions.
Students will understand:
- Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
- Biodiversity is critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems
Pollinator Days 2025 (May 28, 29, & 30)
A buzz-worthy field trip experience for students to learn about pollinators and the environments that support them.
As flowers bloom around VanDusen, bring your class to explore the special relationships between plants, pollinators, and people. Over three days in May, our facilitators will promote curiosity and stewardship through fun, hands-on activities at stations throughout the Garden.
Our diverse activities encourage new discoveries while aligning with the BC curriculum, and include:
- Observing pollinator biodiversity up close with microscopes
- Tasting different types of honey and visiting active beehives
- Learning about bee life cycles and pollen collection
- Finding nectar like bees with art using special paint and black lights
- Snapping away in a photo booth with plenty of pollinator props
- Plus other exciting games!
Groups receive a map outlining activity stations and may explore at their own pace during the day. Join us alongside our community partners for this special event by booking on May 28th, 29th, or 30th.
Pollinator Days – Register now!
May 28 | Register Now! |
May 29 | Register Now! |
May 30 | SOLD OUT |
Custom Tours
Are you interested in a custom-curated educational tour for your group? Our talented staff are happy to help put together the right experience for your group! For more information or to book, please contact Youth Programs Manager, Dennis Chen, via email at dchen@vandusen.org or by phone at (236) 477-2152.
Bloedel Conservatory
Field Trips and Educational Resources at Bloedel Conservatory
Take your students or campers to Bloedel Conservatory and experience a tropical field trip. Your semi-guided tour includes:
- A pre-visit and post-visit virtual program with lesson plans that can be done in your classroom, camp, or any space with access to internet and a computer.
- Access to a curriculum aligned activity booklet for before, during, and after your visit.
- Tour materials and resources for various activities both inside Bloedel and outside in Queen Elizabeth Park. We even have magnifying glasses for all students to use.
- Your own personal environmental educator during your visit.
- Students will learn about various plants and animals from around the world, along with the main differences between temperate and tropical climates.
- For more information or to book, please contact Youth Programs Manager, Dennis Chen, via email at dchen@vandusen.orgor by phone at (236) 477-2152.
- Educational materials are also available for purchase with group rate admission.
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+-Program Fees
Programs Fees Self-Directed Education Tour $200 for 30 participants 45 Minute Guided Tour $250 for 30 participants 90 Minute Guided Tour $300 for 30 participants Pollinator Days $375 per 30 participants Bloedel Conservatory Semi-Guided Tour $150 for 30 participants Nature Kits $250 per kit -
+-Cancellation Policy
Payment due within 4 weeks of booking. Cancellations prior to 4 weeks of program receive 50% refund. No refund for cancellations within 4 weeks of program date.
Please reach out to learn@vandusen.org with any questions about Field Trips.
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+-F.A.Q.
Q. How long can we stay in the Garden? Can we stay after our tour is over?
Classes attending either Guided or Teacher Led Field Trip Programs can remain in the garden until closing time.
Q. Can we eat lunch or snacks in the Garden?
Yes! There are picnic tables, benches, and some seating spread throughout the Garden. Feel free to ask your VBGA staff representative for lunch location suggestions upon arrival. Please ensure that your class packs out their garbage.
Q. Are there washrooms in the Garden?
There are washrooms available in the Visitor Centre, as well as portable toilets and hand sanitizer in the Garden.
Q. Are masks required in the Garden?
Masks are not required while out in the Garden or inside the Visitor Centre. You are welcome to wear a masks depending on your level of comfort.
Q: Are there funding opportunities for field trips?
Yes! The VBGA has various bursary programs to help schools in underserved communities access nature kits and attend field trips to VanDusen Garden and Bloedel Conservator. To learn more, please contact Youth Programs Manager, Dennis Chen, via email at dchen@vandusen.orgor by phone at (236) 477-2152.
Q: Do you offer custom educational tour options?
Yes! To learn more, please contact Youth Programs Manager, Dennis Chen, via email at dchen@vandusen.org or by phone at (236) 477-2152.
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+-Pre-trip Information
Download the VanDusen Pre-trip Info Packet or Bloedel Pre-trip Information Packet to prepare for a successful day in the Garden or Conservatory with your class. The packet includes:
- Field Trip Policies & Guidelines
- Code of Conduct
- Directions
Be sure to carefully review the information and share it with your students, chaperones, and colleagues as appropriate.
Teacher Testimonies
“Our instructors were amazing! Very knowledgeable and great with the children! They learned a lot and I will be back next year.”
“My students learned a lot through hands on, real life experience. They have only learned about some plants and birds, but this was the first time they actually got a chance to see the real thing.”
“This is the best field trip I’ve been on in 15 years.”