FIELD TRIPS AT HOYT ARBORETUM
Hoyt Arboretum is dedicated to environmental education, and students are central to our mission. Our experiential and inquiry-based field trips are designed for students in grades K–5. Students are led on a 90-minute tour by a Nature Educator, with NGSS-aligned, exploratory activities. Out on the trail, every field trip is variable, and our Nature Educators are encouraged to alter the direction of learning based on the questions and curiosities of each unique group. Our living museum hosts a global diversity of trees, making Hoyt Arboretum an ideal location for exploring in the Portland Metro area.
WHO CAN ATTEND FIELD TRIPS AT HOYT ARBORETUM?
We are blown away by the interest in field trips at Hoyt Arboretum. To support the mission of connecting people with trees, we are able to welcome one grade per school, per school year for our field trip program. We hope this structure welcomes additional schools to benefit from guided forest experiences with our Nature Educators. If you need assistance, education staff can help you decide which grade from your school is the best fit for a guided field trip to Hoyt Arboretum. Thank you for helping us build equitable opportunities among Portland area schools.
MORE ABOUT FIELD TRIPS AT HOYT ARBORETUM
- Guided field trip blocks are two hours, which includes 30 minutes of buffer and a 90-minute tour on the trail.
- The cost of a field trip is $8/student and no cost for adult chaperones.
- Title I schools qualify for scholarships, which covers the field trip cost and transportation.
- Our daily maximum capacity is 80 students.
- All tours are led by trained Hoyt Arboretum Friends staff and volunteers.
- The Stevens Pavilion is available for lunch upon request.
Click here to view our full Field Trip Guide for the 2025-2026 school year.
Click here to view a pdf of our field trip social story in English.
Click here to view a pdf of our field trip social story in Spanish.
REQUEST A FIELD TRIP FOR GRADES K-1
This inquiry-based curriculum introduces kindergarten and first grade to key tree structures and their functions. Students will use movement and all their senses to explore trees and nature at the Arboretum.
REQUEST A FIELD TRIP FOR GRADES 2-5
This inquiry-based curriculum introduces students to tree identification, natural history, ecological value, and cultural importance. Students will leave Hoyt Arboretum with a deeper understanding of a native tree species, their “tree of the day” that can be recognized all over the greater Portland area.
Email our team at [email protected]
Join our waitlist!
If your preferred dates are unavailable or our calendar appears full, please email [email protected] with your school name, grade, and number of students. We may be able to fit you in! Particularly for smaller groups with less than 40 students.