Group visits & tours

Educational Organizations

To request free admission as an Educational Organization, please complete the request form:

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• DOCENTS: Guided tours are offered based on the availability of our volunteer docents and can not always be guaranteed. If we are unable to secure docents, you may choose to split into groups of 15 or fewer people for self-guided tours. We will provide you with tour guidelines in advance. The maximum group size of 50 students per day still applies.

• GROUP SIZE: Maximum of 50 students per day. Students will be divided into smaller groups, with approximately 10 students and teachers and/or chaperones per docent. (Max 15 people per docent).

• REQUEST DUE DATE: Requests must be made at least 3 weeks prior to the planned visit date.

• COST: Tours for educational groups are provided at no cost to students and teachers. Donations are greatly appreciated and help support our nonprofit botanical garden.

• CHAPERONES: Teachers will remain on the property and be actively engaged during visits. To provide an excellent experience for all, we recommend one chaperone for every ten students. Parents/chaperones exceeding this ratio will be required to pay regular admission upon entry.

• DAYS & TIMES: Monday through Thursday from either 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM. Groups may not arrive before 9:00 AM. Schools choosing the morning option can stay for an additional hour (picnic lunch on the Event Lawn), but docents are only guaranteed for the 90-minute tour.

• LOCATION: All educational organization groups enter and exit through the courtyard gate to the left of the main entrance. A Gardens Representative will check in with your group upon arrival.

• VEHICLES: Up to 10 vehicles are permitted to remain at the Gardens during the field trip. Buses and additional vehicles must park in the overflow lot.

• WHAT TO WEAR: Wear your walking shoes and be prepared for the weather with appropriate layers. The weather can change here very quickly. We also ask that students wear name tags. It is super helpful for the docent guides.

• RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR ON TOURS: MCBG is lucky to have such an incredible group of volunteer docents! We hope to offer an experience that is not only fun and full of wonder but also safe and respectful for both our visitors and docent guides. Please note that groups that do not behave respectfully or exhibit unsafe behavior may be directed to be led back to the front of the property by their teachers and chaperones.

• RHODY’S CAFÉ: If a large group plans to dine at Rhody’s Café before or after their visit, arrangements must be made 3 days prior to the visit. We can send you a current menu upon request. An 18% gratuity may apply to groups of 10 or more. Cash or credit cards may be used for payments to the café; no checks.

• DROP OFF/PICK UP: If your students will not be arriving as a group, but instead will be dropped off or picked up by parents, these plans must be communicated to MCBG Staff prior to the tour.

• CANCELLATION: If a group must cancel, we require at least 4 days' notice. MCBG will not cancel due to rain. We will cancel group visits and tours in the event of extreme wind events, smoky conditions, or extreme temperatures.​