Teachers – plan a visit with your class to explore Kingwood Center Gardens!
School groups are invited to visit Kingwood with advance reservations, select TUESDAYS through FRIDAYS, based upon availability. Some date exclusions may apply.
Choose from the following options:
SELF-EXPLORATION – a greeting by Education staff will provide a brief introduction to Kingwood’s history before the school group adventures on their own. Teachers may plan their own engagement and lead their classes at their own pace to enjoy the outdoor gardens, display greenhouse, and Kingwood Hall. Indoor space provided for gathering and/or sacked lunches. Chaperones required to stay with student groups at all times. Please be aware that Kingwood staff will provide only a brief introduction for this option, but they will not accompany school groups throughout their visit.
Admission Fees:
- $2 per student.
- 1 complimentary teacher/chaperone for every 15 paid students.
- Additional teacher/chaperone discounted admission of $6 per adult.
KINGWOOD STAFF-LED PROGRAM – Teachers choose a 30-45 minute program led by Kingwood staff to complement the group’s learning experience. Select topics available based upon grade level. Larger groups will be split and scheduled to rotate between the program time and SELF-EXPLORATION time. Indoor space provided for gathering and/or sacked lunches. Chaperones are required to stay with student groups at all times.
Admission Fees:
- $6 per student.
- 1 complimentary teacher/chaperone for every 15 paid students.
- Additional teacher/chaperone discounted admission of $6 per adult.
BOOK YOUR SCHOOL GROUP VISIT
To request a school group visit, click below to access our online request form:
IMPORTANT SCHOOL GROUP RESERVATION FAQ
Does my group qualify as a “school group?”
School group visits apply to public/private PreK-12th grade classes, licensed childcare and preschools, and home school groups.
Do I need to make a reservation for my school group?
Yes, an advance reservation is required. School groups must make reservations at least two weeks prior to the requested visit date. When making a reservation, the following information is required:
- Preference of Self-exploration or Kingwood Staff-led program experience.
- The total count of students, teachers, and chaperones expected to attend.
- Mode of transportation for arrival instructions.
- Expected arrival time, preferred lunch time (if applicable), and departure time.
Is payment required in advance of arrival?
Final count and a $30 deposit are due two weeks in advance. The remaining balance is due before the arrival date.
Additional students and adults in attendance over the final count will be charged current Kingwood admission rates (plus additional program fees if applicable).
What time can we arrive at Kingwood?
Kingwood Center Gardens opens at 10 AM for group arrival.
Do teachers/chaperones receive free admission?
- School group visits include 1 complimentary teacher/chaperone for every 15 paid students.
- Additional teachers/chaperones included in the final count receive a discounted admission rate of $6 per adult.
- School bus drivers may receive complimentary admission to the gardens.
Can a Kingwood membership be used instead of payment?
Field trips provide special group benefits that students may not have the opportunity to experience otherwise. Kingwood members and non-members pay the same admission fee for school group visits. Kingwood memberships do not apply.
Can we bring our own lunches to Kingwood?
School groups are welcome to bring sacked lunches. An indoor location is included with your paid reservation for gathering and/or lunch time. However, groups are also welcome to enjoy lunches outdoors throughout the gardens, weather permitting. Please note that refrigeration is not available.
What if it rains or snows the day of our scheduled visit?
The majority of the Kingwood estate and gardens is outdoors. Please have students dress for the weather (including footwear) as Kingwood Center Gardens is open regardless of rain, wind, snow, cold or extreme temperatures.
Refunds will only be provided if Kingwood Center Gardens cancels the school group visit for any reason or if the cancelation is due to an official school closure.
What if we need to cancel our school group reservation?
Cancelations received three business days or more in advance will receive a full refund.
Cancelations less than three business days in advance will forfeit the $30 deposit as a cancelation fee.
If Kingwood Center Gardens cancels a school group visit or program for any reason, the lead teacher will be notified, and the group will receive a full refund. Cancelations due to an official school closure will also receive a full refund.
Do school groups visits apply during special Kingwood exhibitions or events?
We encourage school groups to take advantage of special engagements at Kingwood. Please note some exclusion dates may apply, and school group visit admission fees may change during special exhibitions and events.
What types of spaces are available to explore during “SELF-EXPLORATION” time at Kingwood?
Kingwood Center Gardens is a great place for teachers to lead their students to explore the natural world. A variety of plants, trees, insects, birds, and mammals call Kingwood home. A few highlights to visit include:
- Mr. King’s Formal Gardens
- Perennial Garden
- Woodland Garden
- Herb, Rose and Trial Bed Gardens
- Display Greenhouse
- Duck Pond
- Nature Pond
For younger students, additional spaces include:
- Storybook Trail (book titles change seasonally)
- Peacock Playhouse Sensory area (geared towards children 6 and under)
Interested in history and architecture? Be sure students explore Mr. King’s home, Kingwood Hall, a 20,000 square foot French Provincial style mansion built between 1926-1929.
Download a map of Kingwood Center Gardens for teachers and chaperones prior to your visit HERE.
Does our school group have an opportunity to visit Kingwood Hall?
During self-exploration, all school group visits have an opportunity to view the historic 20,000 square-foot French Provincial mansion built in 1926, Kingwood Hall. Adult chaperones are required to remain with student groups at all times.
Photography is welcome, however, to protect Kingwood Hall’s collection, please be sure students respect all barriers and closed doors, and refrain from touching collection pieces. Please keep food and drink outside of the mansion.
Will my students see peacocks and ducks at Kingwood Center Gardens?
We hope so! In addition to horticulture, Mr. King had a passion for ornithology.
India blue and white peacocks, as well as numerous ducks, call Kingwood home and free range throughout the gardens and grounds.
A feeding station with corn dispensers is available near the Duck Pond. The dispensers use quarters. Please refrain from feeding any ‘people food’ from sacked lunches to the animals at Kingwood.
Can students shop in the Garden & Gift Shop in the Garden Gateway visitor center?
Students are welcome to shop for souvenirs in the Garden & Gift Shop, however chaperones are requested to accompany students at all times. In the case of large groups, staff may request a limited number of students in the Garden & Gift Shop at one time.
Can my school group purchase lunch at the Gateway Café in the Garden Gateway visitor center?
Due to the limited amount of time during a school group visit, and the length of time for Café lunches to be prepared fresh onsite, it is recommended that school groups bring sacked lunches during their visit.
Contact the Education Department with any additional questions