We offer formal and informal learning opportunities to cultivate an appreciation of plants and the environment in children, families, students, visitors, and professionals.
Our educational programs provide meaningful experiences that enrich participants’ understanding of plants and the natural world. Classes and tours connect participants with the latest research and expertise in horticulture, environmental restoration and conservation.
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Come Learn With Us
Classes and workshops, ProHort for landscape professionals, conferences and seminars
School field trips, summer camp, family programs, and the Fiddleheads Forest School
For children ages 2-4 and their caregivers
Refund Policies
Customer Service
For help with youth and family programs or school field trip registrations, contact uwbgeduc@uw.edu or call 206-685-8641.
For help with adult classes and workshops, contact urbhort@uw.edu or 206-685-8033.
We communicate class details, supply lists, changes and/or cancellations via email, so be sure to check your email regularly after registering for a class.
Public and Professional Classes Refund Policy: Refund requests must be submitted in writing and postmarked, faxed, or e-mailed one week prior to the class date. E-mail requests will receive an e-mail confirmation within two business days. If you do not receive an e-mail confirmation, please call 206-685-8033 to inquire about the status of your request. Cancellations more than one week prior to a class are subject to a 15 percent processing charge (minimum $10). Cancellations with less than one week’s notice are non-refundable. If a program is cancelled by UW Botanic Gardens for any reason, a full refund will be made to all enrollees. Refunds may take four weeks to process.
Private Tour Refund Policy: Programs are held rain or shine. In extreme conditions such as high winds, lightning, or excessive heat, we reserve the right to cancel programs for your safety. You will not be charged a cancellation fee under these circumstances. For all other cancellations: refund requests must be submitted at least 1 week prior to the tour date. If you do not receive an e-mail confirmation within 2 days, please call 206-685-8033 to inquire about the status of your request. Cancellations more than 1 week prior to a tour are subject to a 15% processing charge (minimum $10). Cancellations with less than 1 week’s notice are non-refundable. Please be at the designated meeting location at the scheduled time. If tour guests are 15 minutes late without prior contact, the tour will be cancelled. Please notify your tour guide as soon as you expect to be late. If a program is cancelled by UW Botanic Gardens for any other reason, a full refund will be made to all enrollees. Refunds may take 4 weeks to process.
Family Nature Class Refund Policy: If you need to cancel your class, please email uwbgeduc@uw.edu to let us know that you and your child will not be attending. For cancellations of class received more than a week before the program, we are able to offer a partial refund, minus a $5.00 processing charge. For cancellations of class received more than a week before the program, we are able to offer a partial refund, minus a $5.00 processing charge. For cancellations received a week or less before class, we are unable to offer a refund or transfer.
School Field Trip Refund Policy: Programs are held rain or shine. In extreme weather conditions such as high winds or lightning, we reserve the right to cancel programs for your safety. You will not be charged a cancellation fee under these circumstances.
If you need to cancel your program for any other reason, our refund policy is as follows: For cancellation at least 30 days prior to your program, a full refund minus a non-refundable deposit of $25 will be provided. For cancellations between 14 – 29 days prior to your program, a full refund minus a $50 non-refundable deposit will be provided. For cancellation less than two weeks (13 days or less) prior to your program, no refund will be provided.
UWBG Summer Camp & Fiddleheads Summer Programs:
If you need to cancel camp or a Fiddleheads summer program, please let us know as soon as possible. We have long waiting lists full of families that would love your spot if it no longer works for your child and family.
If you cancel for COVID-19 reasons: If you must cancel your registration for COVID-19 related health reasons, where quarantine is recommended or required because of exposure or symptoms, we appreciate your precaution and will provide a refund for any missed days.
If you need to cancel your program for non-COVID-19 exposure or symptom related reasons, our refund policy is as follows:
| At least 30 days prior to program start | 14 – 29 days prior to program start | Less than two weeks prior to program; Non-completion of program |
| Full refund minus nonrefundable deposit of 10% of program costs (applies to both camp session and after care, or all parts your Fiddleheads summer program including early care and afternoon) | 50% refund of fees | No refund |
If UWBG Cancels: Cancellation may occur due to inclement weather, poor air quality, COVID-19 complications, or other significant unforeseen events. If summer programs are canceled by UWBG for any reason and the cancellation lasts two or more days, we will do our best to make fair compensation for families by offering make ups, refunds, or spaces in future programs.
Summer Camp Late Pick-Up Policy: If you are late to pick up your camper, you will be charged $1.00 for every minute after the end of the program. The rate will increase to $3.00/min if you are more than 15 minutes late. Additional late fees are due upon pick-up..
Fiddleheads School Year Policy: Once accepted into the program, you will be asked to pay a deposit equaling 1/10th of the total school year fee. This deposit will be applied to the last tuition payment and includes a $100 non-refundable registration fee/$50 non-refundable registration fee afternoon programs and $15 for early care.
If you choose to withdraw your child from Fiddleheads Forest School, you must notify the school at FFSchool@uw.edu at least 30 days prior to your child’s last day and the deposit will be refunded minus the non-refundable registration fee.
Note: Summer withdrawal deadline to receive the deposit refundable amount: August 1st, On or after August 1st, no refund of the deposit is available.
Fiddleheads Late Pick-Up (Summer and School Year) Policy: If you are more than 5 minutes late to pick up your child at the end of a program you will be charged $5.00 and $1.00 for every subsequent minute. Example: Program ends at 1:00pm. Child is signed out at 1:07. The late charge is $7.00.