Youth Education Group Policy

  • From September through May ALL groups must pre-register to ensure free parking!
  • Reservations must be made at least 10 days prior to your visit.


Self-Guided Arboretum Visits for Youths: Available Saturdays through Wednesday with Pre-registration.  Minnimum of 10 students, Maximum of 100 students

  • School Groups: School groups may request a free visit to the Arboretum. Teachers can download self-guided materials from our website and bring them for students to use.  Discovery Day Packs are also available for loan at these locations, but are not available for reservation. Free academic visits do not always include admission to the exhibits in the Baker Center Exhibit Hall or Exhibit Greenhouse. Inquire about current exhibit rules and fees prior to your visit.  School groups must be take part in an academic or physical education activity (such as hiking) to qualify for a free visit. Visiting for a picnic, end of school party or other non-academic purpose does not qualify for a free visit.
  • Home School Groups: Organized home school groups may also request a free self-guided visit to the arboretum.  Parents can download self-guided materials from our website and bring them for students to use.  Discovery Day Packs are also available for loan at these locations. Free academic visits do not always include admission to the exhibits in the Baker Center Exhibit Hall or Exhibit Greenhouse. Inquire about current exhibit rules and fees prior to your visit.  Home school groups must be taking part in an academic activity or physical education activity (such as hiking) to qualify for a free visit. Visiting for a picnic, party or other non-academic purpose does not qualify for a free visit.
  • Other Youth Groups: Other youth groups also qualify for a free self-guided visit during the months of September through May, as long as they are not led by for-profit touring companies. Examples of such groups qualifying for free visits include scout groups, youth groups and church groups or any other organized group.  All groups must engage in educational programming to qualify for a free visit. These groups can access our self-guided activities online and have use of our Discovery Day Packs, if available. These visits do not necessarily include admission to the exhibits in the Baker Center Exhibit Hall or Exhibit Greenhouse.  Inquire about current exhibit rules and fees prior to your visit. 
  • Summer Camp Groups and For-Profit Touring Groups:  These groups pay the gate fee and do not need to pre-register.


Guided Programs for Schools, Youth Groups and Home School Groups: Minimum of 10 Students

  • Arboretum Exploration Series: Ten fee-based programs of 1.5 hours each have been developed and offered at a cost of $5.00 per child for the first program and $3.00 per student for a second program (within the same day).  These programs are led by our experienced envionmental education staff and utilize of our classroom, laboratory facilities and or field equipment. Topics include botany, dendrology, wildlife, freshwater ecology, entomology, climate and weather. There is no cost for one adult or teacher for every five students, and no cost for parking.  These programs are available Tuesday through Friday during the school year.
  • Exhibit Visits and Programs: A 45-minute guided outdoor program is offered along with many of our seasonal traveling exhibits. A reserved 45-minute block of time for your group to explore the exhibit hall is also available. The fee for an exhibit visit for schools and other youth groups is $2.00 per student (though some exhibits do not require a fee, ask for details), with an additional fee of $3.00 the guided program.  Schools scheduling an Arboretum Exploration Series program in addition to an Exhibit Visit and Exhibit Program are given a $1.00 discount per paid participant.


Programs for Scouting Groups: Minimum of 6 Scouts

  • Boy Scout Programs and Girl Scout Programs: : Are now available by individual registration through our registration website.  Programs will be scheduled on Saturdays, once or twice each month, with each program specifically tailored to a specific badge or pin.  Program fees range from $10.00 per scout to $65.00 per scout (depending upon duration) and last from 2.5 hours to two 6-hour days. A registered merit badge counselor will instruct Boy Scout merit badge sessions.


Programs for Individual Children and Families

  • Wee Naturalists: This class is offered for two to four year-olds with a parent. Younger siblings are welcome at no additional cost with parental supervision. This program is offered September through mid-November and mid-March through May.  Programs are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during these months from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, consisting of 30 minutes of informal open classroom time,  an hour-long guided program (may include a story, outdoor game, short hike, animal visit and/or craft), and an additional 30 minutes of open classroom time after the program.  A fee of $6.00 per child ages two to five will be collected at the beginning of the class. A “Wee Card” is good for four visits and is available at a fee of $20.00. There is no charge for parking or for adults and younger siblings attending with a paid participant.
  • Discovery Day Camps: Summer Camp sessions take place during Summer Break for Buncombe County Schools. Arboretum members receive discounts on registration. Registration for summer camp begins in January. The camp operates on a philosophy of providing safe outdoor adventures, guided explorations and encouraging awareness of the natural world. Camp programs range from grades kindergarten to eighth grade. Scholarship money may be available. Parking fee waived for pick up and drop off only.
  • Discovery Day Packs: Are available for loan at the Baker Exhibit Center and the Education Center. These are free to borrow, but an Arboretum membership card or drivers license will need to be retained while the pack is lent out. Packs include a notebook, binoculars, insect net, magnifying jar, seasonal activity and kid’s guide to discovering the arboretum. Packs must be returned by 4:45 pm. This program is made possible by a donation from Diamond Brand Outdoors.
  • Nature Discovery Room:  A new, interactive learning space in the ground level of the Education Center outside the EcoLab (classroom 3).  This space features displays of animals and plants from our area, and encourages students to pick up a Discovery Day Pack and head outside in search of birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, trees, and other life to record.  Observations are then returned to a drop box in the museum, where educators report the child's findings to regional and national citizen science and environmental monitoring organizations.  Open during the hours of operation of the Education Center.