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Programs for Teachers and Students
School Programs:
Self-Guided Visits:
Programs For Educators:
See Also:
- Registration & Visiting Procedures
- Serving Children with Special Needs
- Science Standards Connections
Registration for Guided Programs
Prescheduled programs are offered Tuesdays through Fridays with advance registration and payment required. The following registration procedure applies for School Workshops, Exploration Tours, and Guided Tours:
- All registrations for guided programs are handled by telephone. To register, please call the Registration Office at 718-623-7220 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will need the teacher's name and phone number for each class attending. Registrations will be taken only during those times. Call early and have several alternate dates in mind.
| To register for: | Calls will be accepted beginning: |
| Fall and winter programs offered between October 1, 2009, and February 26, 2010 | September 8, 2009 |
| Spring programs offered between March 2 and June 18, 2010 | January 4, 2010 |
- A separate appointment is required for each school class, which can have a maximum of 35 students (25 for Pre-K through Grade 2). Special Education classes are limited to 15 students. We cannot accommodate groups of students combined from different classes.
- Payment procedure: Advance payment is required for all programs. Fees must be received within three weeks after the reservation has been made, or the appointment will be canceled.
- Cancellation policy: If you need to cancel a program, your fee will be refunded, minus a $10 processing charge, provided you notify us at least three weeks before the date of your visit. Reimbursement will not be issued for "no-shows" or last-minute cancellations.
- All programs are held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, tours may be conducted in the Steinhardt Conservatory. There will be no refund, credit, or rescheduling due to inclement weather.
Visiting Procedures for School Groups
A botanic garden is not a park but a living museum of plants for study and aesthetic enjoyment. Whether participating in a guided program or bringing a class for a self-guided visit, teachers are responsible for their students and must observe all Garden regulations. For BBG’s guidelines for childrens' groups, contact the Registration Office at 718-623-7220.
Supervisory Adults
Every group must have a ratio of one adult per ten children. For grades pre-K to 1, a ratio of one adult per seven to eight children is recommended. Supervisory adults are responsible for their students’ behavior and the observation of all Garden regulations.
Garden Hours
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is closed to the public on Mondays, except holidays.
April Through September
Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Weekends and holidays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
October Through March
Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.Weekends and holidays, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Conservatory, Gift Shops and Visitor Center Hours
April Through September
Tuesday–Sunday and holidays, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (Visitor Center closes at 5 p.m.)
October Through March
Tuesday–Sunday and holidays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The Gift Shop and the Garden SHop
Brooklyn Botanic Garden has two shops, both located on Lily Pool Terrace. The Gift Shop offers stationery, personal accessories, and items for the home. The Garden Shop carries everything for the garden as well as gifts for children. Shop online at shop.bbg.org.
Please note, school and camp groups are encouraged to visit the Garden Shop only, in small groups of ten with adult supervision.
Entrance Directions
Guided Programs
All school groups registered for a guided program will be met by their instructor or a Garden Guide at the Administrative Entrance to the Garden, at 1000 Washington Avenue. Show your admission pass/registration confirmation for entry into the Garden. Preregistered classes coming by bus for a guided program should be dropped off and picked up at this entrance. Allow at least 15 minutes to reach the Administrative Entrance from the other entry gates. Please be sure to leave enough travel time to reach the Garden by your scheduled time. Classes arriving late will receive a shortened instruction session or tour so that groups end at the scheduled time. Refunds are not available.
Self-Guided Visits
Show your admission pass/registration confirmation for entry into the Garden. School groups coming by bus for a self-guided visit should be dropped off and picked up at the Flatbush Avenue gate at the corner of Empire Boulevard.
Groups Arriving on Foot or by Subway
Additional entrances to BBG are located at Eastern Parkway (Subway: #2, #3 to Eastern Parkway station), Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard. (Subway: Q, B, and Franklin Avenue Shuttle to Prospect Park station), and the parking lot gate at 900 Washington Avenue.
Clothing
Students and teachers should wear clothing and footwear appropriate for an active, outdoor walk and suitable for shifts in weather.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located in the Administration Building, Visitor Center, and the Steinhardt Conservatory. Please allow time before and after your visit for restroom use.
Traveling with Lunches
In general, we encourage school groups to have lunch before entering or after leaving the Garden. Picnic areas located near the Garden include Prospect Park (across Flatbush Avenue) and Mount Prospect Park (at Eastern Parkway).
The Garden has limited seating available in a designated uncovered outdoor school lunch area located near the Flatbush Avenue entrance gate. Unfortunately, this area is not easily wheelchair accessible without assistance. Only preregistered groups with an admission pass are allowed access to this area. The school lunch area is open seasonally (September–October, April–June) during the public school year, Tuesday–Friday 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. School groups must be accompanied by the appropriate ratio of adult chaperones.
Accessibility
Most facilities at the Garden are wheelchair accessible, including the Education greenhouse, the Steinhardt Conservatory, and several restrooms. Please let us know if individuals will be arriving by wheelchair or if they are physically challenged, so that we can help you plan your route accordingly.