A visit to Cape Fear Botanical Garden is an unforgettable way for students to connect classroom learning with the outdoors. Designed for Pre-K through 12th grade, our field trips include hands-on workshops, guided nature walks, and immersive activities tailored to curriculum standards. Students can explore trails, observe wildlife, and engage with topics like ecosystems, plant life cycles, and North Carolina’s agricultural history—all while experiencing the wonder of the natural world.
Step back in time and explore historic farm buildings, vegetable gardens, and traditional agricultural practices from NC in the 1800s.
A guided exploration of the Garden’s plants and wildlife, where students’ curiosity leads the way. Adapted to your age group.
Get up close with aquatic life in a hands-on pond study, catching and releasing tadpoles, fish, and
dragonfly nymphs.
Let us bring the learning to you. Our trained environmental educators offer interactive classroom programs aligned with NC State Curriculum Standards, bringing nature-based science, history, and conservation lessons directly to schools in Cumberland and surrounding counties. Programs are designed for various grade levels – from PreK to highschool – and can be adapted for special needs and inclusion groups.
Explore the building blocks of plant life by analyzing real soil samples and creating an edible “dirt” pudding cup to model soil layers.
Examine tracks, scat, nests, and other clues to uncover the hidden world of native wildlife, then create your own animal tracks to take home.
Dive into sustainable solutions by building a wind turbine or designing a solar-powered car.
Homeschoolers and clubs may enjoy programs designed for mixed age groups with activities like building a birdhouse, a night hike, campfires, meeting live reptiles or using nets to look for animals in the pond. All programs are one and half hours long and align with education standards.
Discover the world of pollinators, taste local honey, try on beekeeping gear, and craft a rolled beeswax candle to take home.
Learn essential navigation skills, including map reading and compass use, through a fun and interactive group scavenger hunt.
View five different wildlife habitats in the Garden and consider the ways we can support wildlife in our community. Participants will assemble and paint bird houses to take home.
Hands-on experiences make learning real, memorable, and impactful. Our interactive lessons help students discover the connections between nature and their everyday world. Plan your experience today!
Navigate the Garden like a pro with click-and-learn descriptions of trails, sculptures, and signature spaces.
From hands-on workshops to seasonal festivals and family fun, our calendar is full of ways to explore, learn, and connect.
Whether you’re planning an intimate affair or a grand event, our versatile spaces offer a unique and unforgettable experience.
Explore hands-on, standards-aligned experiences for PreK–12 students—on-site or at your school. Also great for homeschool groups, clubs & other organizations.
Make the most of every visit with an annual membership—enjoy unlimited admission, exclusive perks, and reciprocal access to 300+ gardens.
For more than 35 years, Cape Fear Botanical Garden has connected people with plants, place, and purpose. Discover our roots and growth on the History page.
