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.
Come Learn With Us
Classes and workshops, ProHort for landscape professionals, conferences and seminars
School fieldtrips, summer camp, family programs, and the Fiddleheads Forest School
Schedule a fall or spring field trip to the Arboretum to learn about plants, ecology and people!
Refund Policies
Customer Service
For help with youth and family programs or school field trip registrations, contact UW Botanic Gardens Education at uwbgeduc@uw.edu. For help with adult classes and workshops, contact urbhort@uw.edu. Our Main Education Line is 206-685-8033 and it serves all education programs.
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.
Family Nature Classes Refund Policy: If you cancel by contacting us at uwbgeduc@uw.edu or (206) 685-8033 48 hours in advance of your class you are eligible for a refund minus a 15% (minimum $10) processing fee. You are not eligible for a refund if you cancel less than 48 hours in advance or do not attend the class.
Family Nature Class Make Up Policy: For reschedules, contact UW Botanic Gardens Education at uwbgeduc@uw.edu or 206-685-8033 48 hours in advance of your class to be eligible for a makeup class. Participants who do not cancel 48 hours in advance or do not attend the class will not be eligible for a makeup 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, or lightning, 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.
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. For all other cancellations, the cancellation fee is $25 if made within 30 days of the program date, and $50 if made within 15 days of the program date.
Summer Camp Refund Policy: For cancellation at least thirty days prior to camp, a full refund minus a non-refundable deposit of $40 per cancelled camp program will be provided. For cancellation between 14 and 29 days prior to camp, a 50% refund of all fees will be provided. For cancellation less than two weeks prior to camp, or non-completion of camp, no refund will be provided.
Summer Camp Late Pick-Up Policy: If you are more than 10 minutes late to pick up your child at the end of grade school camp, we will enroll your child in After Care until you arrive. The cost for one day of after care is $16.00, and you may pay by cash, check or credit card upon pick up.
Summer Camp After Care Late Fees: If you are late to pick up your child from preschool camp or After Care you will be charged $1.00 for every minute after the end of camp/extended camp. The rate will increase to $3.00/min if you are more than 15 minutes late. Additional extended camp or late fees are due upon pick-up.
PreK Camp Late Pick-Up Policy: If you are more than 10 minutes late to pick up your child at the end of preK camp, you will be charged $1.00 for every minute after the end of camp. The rate will increase to $3.00/min if you are more than 15 minutes late. Additional late fees are due upon pick-up.