Know Before You Go: Information and helpful hints for your next visit
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Field Trips and School Programs

Plan a Field Trip

Need-to-know tips to help you and your students prepare for an unforgettable Arboretum experience

Content Detail

We are looking forward to your visit to The Morton Arboretum. The Arboretum offers a 1,700-acre classroom for students to explore. Included here are resources to help you plan a trip for your students.

The Arboretum offers both guided field trip and self-guided field trip programs in the fall, spring, and summer. Registration for fall opens the first week in August, and the fall season runs from September to mid-November. Registration for spring programs opens the first week in January and runs from April to early June. Limited guided programs are available in the summer (June through August).

Learn more about field trips and school programs at The Morton Arboretum.

Plan a Guided Field Trip

Guided field trips by grade level

The Morton Arboretum offers guided field trip experiences for all ages. Visit the page below that corresponds to your class.

Policies and procedures

Review the Guided Field Trip Program letter, for details on how to prepare three weeks, two weeks, and one week prior to your scheduled field trip date. Based on the type of field trip you registered for, choose the correct corresponding letter:

Chaperone information to share

Additionally, you are encouraged to utilize our chaperone information letter. This letter will help prepare your chaperones, parents, and additional teachers and aids for your upcoming field trip. For your convenience, this letter is also available in Spanish:

When you arrive

Guided programs meet at Parking Area P-21 on the West Side. Share this information with your bus driver. Drivers are expected to stay on-site during your visit. View the West Side map for reference.

Organize your group with the Field Trip Planning Template

Organizing your groups? Use our Guided Field Trip Organizer template to help you organize your student groups. 

Prepare your students for a field trip

For program vocabulary and additional activities, access the resources bundle sent along with your registration.

Get to know the Arboretum before your visit. View our online exhibits through Google Cultural Institute.

Online exhibits include:

Plan a Self-guided Field Trip

Self-guided field trips by grade level

The Morton Arboretum offers self-guided field trip experiences for all ages. Visit the page below that corresponds to your class.

Policies and procedures

Review the Self-guided Field Trip Program letter, for details on how to prepare for your trip three weeks, two weeks, and one week prior to your scheduled field trip date.

Children’s Garden information for self-guided groups

We look forward to welcoming your group to the Children’s Garden, where kids can explore, learn, and play among trees and the natural world.

The Children’s Garden was founded on the premise that children are naturally curious, eager to explore, and learn best through hands-on engagement with the world of nature in a safe and welcoming space.

Please be aware of the following logistical information for a visit to the Children’s Garden and refer to the Self-guided Trip Program letter for the full details:

  • Groups coming to the Children’s Garden should park in parking area P-1.
  • The Children’s Garden opens at 10:00 a.m. daily.
  • Each group of one to 20 students must have three chaperones.
  • There is no reserved space for lunch. All picnic tables and the picnic lawn are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The Children’s Garden will close in the event of severe weather.

Fees and Policies

Half-day trip fees

  • One guided adventure (1.5 hours): $8 per student, $15 registration fee
  • Self-guided adventure: $6 per student, $15 registration fee

Full-day field trip fees

  • One guided adventure (3.0 hours): $12 per student, $30 registration fee 
  • Two guided adventures (3.0 hours): $12 per student, $30 registration fee 
  • One guided adventure (1.5 hours), plus self-guided adventure: $12 per student, $30 registration fee 
  • One self-guided adventure: $6 per student, $15 registration fee

Registration details

  • Registration must be completed three weeks prior to field trip date.
  • Dates are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is strongly encouraged.
  • Adult chaperones are required (three adults/teachers for every 20 students).
  • There is a minimum of 15 students for guided and self-guided field trips.
  • Payment is due three weeks before the date of the field trip. Call the registrar to process payment at 630-719-2468, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Fees include admission to the Arboretum for:

  • All registered and attending students
  • All registered and attending adult chaperones (three adults/teachers for every 20 students)
  • State required aides

Field Trip Bundles

To access vocabulary, activities, teacher guides, and more, register here to enroll in our Field Trip Bundles.