Lessons & Tours

Boise Urban Garden School provides environmental lessons and programs to children and adults. The unique lessons and learning experiences can be utilized by schools and community groups. Use the search below to find lessons and tours that may be of interest to your group. Please use the contact information provided with the lesson to inquire and schedule.

Group size: Lessons are designed for groups of 10 to 30 students. Groups larger than 30 students will require multiple time slots. For field trips, we require at least one chaperone for every ten students.

Reservation window: Lessons are booked on a first come, first served basis dependent on staff availability. Requests at least 2 weeks in advance are more likely to be filled.

Field trip times: Lessons are typically scheduled for one hour but may be customized as needed.

Steps to schedule a field trip with us:

1. Choose your lesson from the options listed below. (BUGS = Boise Urban Garden School; Your Place = outreach to your school)

2. Click on the lesson title to go to a Microsoft Bookings page to request a time for your lesson. Note: multiple lessons and tours can be requested in one visit. Most lessons and tours are one hour in length.

3. Submit your request with your contact information, the group size and grade, specific lesson requested, and any other details you’d like to share.

You’ll hear from Boise Urban Garden School staff within a few days. Field trips can be customized to meet your needs. We look forward to your visit – thank you for your interest!

Lessons

Pre-K

Boise Outdoor Preschool (Fees Apply) – Tues/Wed/Thur 9 a.m.-12 p.m. - Our preschool program will immerse your child in the outdoors. Children will learn to be comfortable in nature while being instilled with environmental stewardship principles to add to their worldview. Preschoolers will explore the surrounding ecosystem, learn through a STEM based curriculum, and develop cognitive, motor and emotional skills. Pre-registration required online or via phone by calling Fort Boise Community Center (208) 608-7680.

Little Gardeners Preschool Drop-Off (Fees Apply) - Fri 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Activities could include garden tours, craft projects, science experiments, story time, bug catching and more. Classes are offered Friday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. during the school year with each month having a different theme. Registration is required and covers the whole month of Friday sessions.

View all CURRENT preschool offerings

Story Hour, Craft & Garden Tour - FIELD TRIP ONLY -60 min- Bring your class of little ones to BUGS and get exactly what the title implies. We’ll read a garden related book, make a garden related craft, and take a tour through our wonderful garden. BUGS

Kindergarten & Grade 1

BUGS Garden Tour - FIELD TRIP ONLY -30-60 min- Discover the wonders of an urban farm! Take an educational tour of the BUGS garden led by our instructors. Can be adapted to any age and season. BUGS

Custom Culinary/Nutrition Lesson -2 hrs ($180)- For groups of up to 12 looking for a customized nutrition/culinary program at the BUGS kitchen. Past classes have included high school athletic teams learning about nutrition for performance; private birthday parties with a culinary theme; and more. BUGS

Garden-Fresh Nutrition -60 min- Students will learn the fundamentals of nutrition in a garden setting. Lessons get students moving and excited about healthy eating and garden-fresh produce. Designed for schools with gardens on-site, or can be adapted to a field trip at the BUGS location. BUGS or Your Place

Hands-On School Garden Lesson -OUTREACH ONLY -60 min- Students will be connect to their school gardens via grade-specific lessons tied to science standards. Can be seasonally adjusted to make use of current garden conditions. Designed specifically for schools with their own gardens on-site. Your Place

Insects and Pollinators -60-90 min- Insects and pollinators are very important to gardens and people. Students will learn how and why pollinators turn flowers into food. Activities may include comparing the structure of insects and bugs, going on a garden bug hunt, and playing a game that models pollination. BUGS or Your Place

Plant Science: Alive & Growing -60 min- This lesson is designed to introduce younger students to plants as living organisms, as well as teach about their structures and functions. Older students learn the minimum requirements for plant growth. BUGS or Your Place

Seeds -60-90 min- What’s inside a seed? Students will dissect and learn about seed “anatomy” and why they come in so many different sizes and shapes (seed transport and dispersal). Students may set up a germination experiment to take back to school that will demonstrate what seeds need to grow. BUGS or Your Place

Three-Part Seasonal Science Series -OUTREACH ONLY -60 min- This three-part outreach series makes the most of your school garden throughout the entire year. Start in the fall with an inquiry-based, seasonal exploration of your garden, use the winter months to focus on nutrition, and then get back into the soil with the spring lesson. Your Place

Grade 2

Custom Culinary/Nutrition Lesson-2 hrs ($180)- For groups of up to 12 looking for a customized nutrition/culinary program at the BUGS kitchen. Past classes have included high school athletic teams learning about nutrition for performance; private birthday parties with a culinary theme; and more. BUGS

Seeds -60-90 min- What’s inside a seed? Students will dissect and learn about seed “anatomy” and why they come in so many different sizes and shapes (seed transport and dispersal). Students may set up a germination experiment to take back to school that will demonstrate what seeds need to grow. BUGS or Your Place

Grade 3

Decomposers: Nature's Rotten Recyclers -60 min- Students will discover the different types of decomposers and their importance in the environment. A game and experiment will help students understand what types of materials decompose, factors that promote decomposition, and the role of decomposition in the food web. BUGS or Your Place

Soil, Compost & Critters - OUTREACH ONLY -60-90 min- A successful garden begins with healthy soil. Students will become “soil scientists”, learning about how healthy soil supports plant growth. Activities may have students investigating soil composition, nutrient cycles, decomposers (red worms & others), and the process of recycling waste into compost for the garden. BUGS

Grade 4

Creepy Crawly Classification -60 min- Arthropods make up over 80% of the described animal life on the planet. They play an integral role in our gardens, as well as our ecosystem as a whole. Students will take a closer look into the world of arthropods from classification and grouping to individual anatomy and adaptations. BUGS or Your Place

Grade 5

Garden in Your Gut -60 min- Did you know our gut microbiome plays a huge role in our overall health including disease prevention and mental health? Students will learn about the microbiome and the ways we can encourage our unique microbiome's health and diversity.

The Garden Ecosystem -60-90 min- When we practice organic gardening we are taking the health of the whole garden ecosystem into account. Students will investigate what it means to garden organically and how the introduction of chemicals into our gardens can impact the whole ecosystem that supports our garden’s growth and health. BUGS or Your Place

Sustainable Food Systems -60 min- Learn about the principles of sustainability as it relates to the food we eat, how food choices impact the climate, and actions you can take right now to improve climate resilience.

Grade 6

Grade 7 - 8

Grade 9 - 12

College/Adult

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For other after hours park related emergencies (i.e. irrigation issues, restrooms), please call (208) 489-6640.