Educators

Note: Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, following mandates from our Governor, we are not currently accepting requests for field trips. We will update this page as soon as we have more information regarding when field trips can resume. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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Pacific Bonsai Museum offers field trips that provide a beautiful and enriching way for students to connect with nature and learn about the art of bonsai. Field trips can be self-guided, or you can request one of our volunteer education docents to help guide your class. During the field trip, students engage in activities that develop their understanding and experience of art concepts and skills through creating, responding, and connecting to bonsai. We offer an arts-based curriculum, as well as a STEM-focused curriculum for you to choose between.

You will find our program aligns well with the Washington Art standards and Common Core Listening and Speaking standards. We also provide pre- and post-visit lesson plans to enhance your students’ learning and experiences. Please request a field trip using the link below. We cannot accommodate schools who arrive without a reservation.

Tour Scheduling

Field trips may be scheduled Tuesday-Friday, year-round, between 10am and 2pm. The Museum can accommodate groups of up to 60 and lunch space is available. Field trips must be booked 4 weeks in advance. The bonsai are beautiful in all seasons; you will have a great visit no matter when you come. We have many evergreen trees and when the deciduous trees lose their leaves we appreciate the stunning sculptures of their branches. Request a Field Trip.

Chaperones

We require the following chaperone ratios:

  • Grades 3-5: One chaperone for every 5 students
  • Grades 6-12: One chaperone for every 10 students

Students in grades 6-12 may walk the grounds freely as long as their chaperones are present. Students in grades 3-5 must stay with their chaperone at all times. We ask that you self-divide into groups of 10 as you tour the Museum.

Fees & Payments

Field trips cost $5 per student, which includes a living bonsai for each student; teachers and chaperones are free. You may pay for your trip when you arrive at the Museum by check, credit card, or purchase order.

Confirmation & Cancellations

Your self-guided field trip is confirmed only when you have received an email confirmation from a Museum staff member. You will receive confirmation within 5 business days of submiting your request. Please be aware that cancellations made less than fourteen business days in advance of your tour will result in a charge of fifty percent of the total amount due. In the case of no-shows, due to preparation and staff time we must bill the full cost of the tour.

Other Info

  • Please bring copies of the activity sheet for all of your students. We also recommend colored pencils for all of the students.
  • Guided tours are available for non-school groups of ten or more. For more info and to request a tour, please visit the Tours page.
  • Please note that the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden is a separate institution and require a separate booking and fee.

Directions

For detailed driving directions, please visit the Plan Your Visit page. If arriving by car, you will park in the west parking lot and follow the path to the Museum. If arriving by bus, you will drop off students in the Museum roundabout entrance, then the bus will park in the west parking lot.

Created in collaboration with Museum Ed Matters.