Teachers and Schools

Let the JC Raulston Arboretum become your living laboratory! A field trip to our nationally acclaimed garden on the campus of NC State University gives students a chance to make connections between their classroom education and the plants in our vast collection, while having fun exploring the natural world together.

Tours are available in both the fall and spring! Priority will be given to schools requesting third grade tours in the spring since that is the year students are learning about botany. The best availability for most other grade levels will be in the fall. Winter visits are also possible depending on interest.

school bus

Self-Guided Tour

Limited Availability

Perfect for teachers looking for outdoor teaching space that is exploration-based. You come prepared with a teaching plan to engage your students and chaperones with the environment. We will share activity ideas with you ahead of time; however, no formal staff-led presentations are provided by JCRA beyond an introduction to the garden with information on how to interact appropriately with our plant collection.

This tour allows you to be in complete control of your itinerary and provides maximum exploration of our 10-½ acres of gardens. Teachers and chaperones are entirely responsible for behavior and students must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times. JCRA staff and/or volunteers will be available to answer questions in the garden, as needed.

teacher with children

Guided Tours by Grade Level

Sold out for 2025-2026

For teachers looking for programming that aligns to the NC Standard Course of Study for Science by grade level, guided tours provide an interactive outdoor experience designed to engage your students with hands-on activities that meet your teaching goals!

  • Kindergarten–“Five Senses in the Garden”
    Students are encouraged to use their five senses to explore a wide selection of plants as they tour the garden with a guide. Limited to 50 students per trip. Greatest tour availability is in the fall.
  • First Grade–“Living Things”
    Students explore how the garden provides the basic needs of living things while discovering the ins and outs of recycling and composting. Each class takes home seeds planted in recycled materials to grow in their classroom. Limited to 65 students per trip. Greatest tour availability is in the fall.
  • Second Grade–“Life Cycles & Weather”
    Students review the life cycles of plants and animals in the garden, search for Japanese Maple trees and visit a weather station to learn about the instruments successful gardeners use. Limited to 65 students per trip. Greatest tour availability is in the fall.
  • Third Grade–“Plants & Soil”
    Students germinate a seed in the palm of their hand, dissect a plant, investigate soils and learn about photosynthesis. Limited to 70 students per trip.
  • Up to Grade 12–Custom Tours
    Field trips for higher level grades may be arranged according to the needs of the teacher and classroom. Scheduling will be based on staff availability, content, and the type and length of tour desired. Please note the fee for these tours ranges between $6.00 and $12.00 per student.

Details for Self-Guided Tours

  • Reservations are required.
  • $3.00 per student includes a printed student booklet. Use it as a jumping off point for your visit or as a follow-up souvenir to take home!
  • Self-guided tours take place entirely outdoors.
  • Groups are provided with a specific entry time and a picnic location. You may stay as long as desired.
  • Teachers and chaperones are free of charge. No fee for parking.
  • Maximum 100 students per reservation. One chaperone/teacher per six students.

Details for Guided Tours

  • Reservations are required.
  • $6.00 per student includes printed materials and hands-on activities.
  • Guided tours take place entirely outdoors.
  • Groups are provided a specific entry time. Plan for at least 1½ hours in the garden. Picnic areas are available to extend your visit.
  • Multiple days may be scheduled to accommodate group sizes that exceed the maximum of a tour; multi-track schools will also be accommodated.
  • Teachers and chaperones are free of charge. No fee for parking.
  • One chaperone/teacher per 10 students.

Submit your tour request here

Weather Policy

Tours are 100% outdoors; please dress accordingly. We will proceed with tours in light rain/drizzle. However, any evidence of thunder means the tour will end immediately. For safety purposes, all participants must exit the garden.

In the event of a severe weather forecast, JCRA reserves the right to cancel your visit 24 hours in advance. Staff will communicate with the tour organizer the day prior to the scheduled visit. We will try our best to reschedule the tour but we can not guarantee a date will be available.

For more information or questions, please contact Joy Burns, school program coordinator.

Image of little girl splashing in rain

Cancellation Policy

If JCRA cancels due to weather (see above) and a rescheduled date is not available, no payment is required.

Once you have received a tour confirmation letter, if YOU wish to cancel and not incur a fee, a written request must be made 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Field trips canceled less than a month in advance will be charged the full fee, based on the tour confirmation letter’s estimated headcount.

Payment of your final participant headcount (confirmed the week before your event) is expected whether all students attend that day or not.

To cancel, please contact Joy Burns, school program coordinator.