Group Tours & Field Trips

Groups we serve

K-12 Schools, Classes, and UBC

Our educational tours and field trips align with B.C.’s current curriculum learning standards, and curriculum connections to Garden programming can be found on our Learning Resources page.

As part of the Faculty of Science at UBC, we deliver ecology and environmental learning grounded in scientific knowledge and place-based experiences. Our tours explore biodiversity, sustainability, and climate action, while raising awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Learn more about our K-12 Schools Program here.

Public groups

Our experiences for public groups are fun, engaging, and designed for audiences of all ages and interest levels. These tours are ideal for camps, tourist groups, garden clubs, and other community organizations. 

Corporate groups 

We offer corporate team-building experiences designed for businesses and staff teams looking to get outdoors and have fun together in nature. These programs promote collaboration, sustainability, and wellbeing, and can be customized to meet the specific needs of your team. 

Looking to host a retreat or team-building session in an inspiring setting? Book one of our facilities for a half-day or full-day retreat.

Booking Considerations

All bookings must be completed through the online form below and are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please designate one group coordinator to manage booking and communication. Group coordinators are responsible for ensuring appropriate behaviour while at the Garden.

The following guidelines will help you prepare for your visit:

Tour Logistics

• Tours are guided walking experiences that take place rain or shine.
• UBC Botanical Garden can accommodate groups of 10–120 participants.
• Please arrive on time. Groups arriving late will still finish at the scheduled end time.
• Washrooms are located at the Garden entrance. 
• Directions, transit options, and parking information can be found here.
• For school buses: Drop-off and pick-up are located at the loop in front of the UBC Botanical Garden entrance.

Accessibility, Clothing, and Terrain

• The Garden includes mixed terrain. Please wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather (rain gear, warm layers, sturdy closed-toe shoes).
• If your group includes participants who use wheelchairs or require accessibility support, please indicate this in the booking form so we can plan the most suitable route.
• Drinking fountains are available. We recommend bringing a water bottle and snacks.

Complimentary Admission

• Indigenous visitors, Social Service Workers (SSWs), and Education Assistants (EAs) receive complimentary admission. SSWs and EAs may attend free of charge when accompanying their client or group. Please indicate this in the booking form.

Payment

• After submitting the booking form, you will receive an invoice within two weeks.
• Payment can be made by credit card or cheque.
• UBC Botanical Garden reserves the right to decline future bookings if payment is not received in a timely manner.

Rescheduling and Cancellation

• Requests to reschedule or cancel must be made at least two weeks before the program date and are subject to availability.
• UBC Botanical Garden reserves the right to cancel, modify, or reschedule a booking due to unforeseen circumstances such as staffing shortages or severe weather.

For questions about field trips or our cancellation policy, please contact garden.programs@ubc.ca.

Financial Support for Groups Experiencing Barriers

We strive to create nature-based learning experiences that are accessible to our community. The Garden’s Community Outreach Program supports families, school groups, and community groups who may experience barriers to accessing our spaces and educational programming.

K–12 School Groups

If you are from a low-SES school and require support with admission or transportation costs, please fill out the Subsidy Application Form so we can assess your request and coordinate appropriate support.

Community Groups

If your community group is experiencing barriers related to admission or transportation, please email garden.programs@ubc.ca to discuss available support.

Group Experience Code of Conduct

As the group coordinator, I understand that UBC Botanical Garden is a living museum that protects rare and endangered plants. I will ensure that members of my group:

• Treat the plant collections, staff, and fellow visitors with respect. 
• Stay on pathways and mowed lawn areas to avoid damaging plants. 
• Ensure children are supervised at all times and follow appropriate child–chaperone ratios according to your organization’s guidelines
• Do not collect or remove any plant material. 
• Dispose of waste in appropriate bins or pack out any waste brought into the Garden.

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