We have new options!

   Please review the information below before submitting your request!

School Groups

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. In short, it’s a breath of fresh air to inspire the joy of learning. Please submit your request by completing the Tour & Field Trip Registration form.

Two options are available:

Self-Guided Tour

Perfect for schools looking for a visit that is exploration-based! Your group will be provided a specific entry time and given a brief introduction to the JCRA along with guidelines on how to interact with our plant collection.

Self-guided field trips are led by your school chaperones and teachers. All students must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times. Teachers and chaperones are responsible for student behavior.

General Details
  • Prepaid reservations are required at least two weeks in advance.
  • $3.00 per student. Teachers and chaperones are free of charge. No fee for parking.
  • Maximum 100 students per reservation. One chaperone/teacher per six students.
  • Offered Mondays and Fridays.
  • Picnic areas are available. Tours take place entirely outdoors.

Guided Tours by Grade Level (SOLD OUT)

For those 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!

General Details
  • Reservations are required.
  • $6.00 per student. Teachers and chaperones are free of charge. No fee for parking.
  • Tours take place entirely outdoors. If your tour is canceled due to weather, we will make every attempt to reschedule your tour.
  • 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.
  • One chaperone/teacher per 10 students.
Grade Level Tour Topics
Kindergarten–Five Senses in the Garden
Students are encouraged to use their five senses to explore a diverse selection of plants as they tour the garden with a guide. Limited to 54 students per trip.
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 64 students per trip.
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 68 students per trip.
Third Grade–Plants & Soil
Students watch seeds germinate, dissect a plant, investigate soils and learn about photosynthesis. Limited to 68 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.

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.

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

Cancellation Policy

JCRA reserves the right to cancel your visit 24 hours in advance due to a severe weather forecast. 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. If JCRA cancels due to weather and a rescheduled date is not available, no payment is required.

Written cancellations by you must be made one month prior to the scheduled field trip date. Field trips canceled less than a month in advance will be charged based on the reservation's estimated headcount. Once confirmed, payment of your final participant headcount is expected whether all students attend that day or not.

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