School Programs
Students can enjoy Filoli and its unique, bountiful resources through interactive programming and hands–on learning designed just for them. On their field trip, students will use all their senses to observe art and nature, take time to draw and reflect, and will be given opportunities to inquire and discover. With four programs to choose from, Filoli offers schools a range of experiences for their students to participate in throughout their elementary school education.
- House & Garden Experience: 1st – 5th Grades
- Patterns in the Garden: 1st – 2nd Grades
- Plein Air Art Exploration: 3rd – 8th Grades
- Nature Hike: 3rd – 5th Grades
Registration FAQ’s
- Registrations are taken online only.
- Please check your school’s vacation and testing days prior to registering.
- Teachers may register two classes for one program when space is available. However, program fee applies to each class.
- Please read Filoli’s cancellation and chaperone policy (detailed below) before scheduling your field trip.
- Payment is due 30 days prior to your field trip.
High-quality student materials and teacher pre- and post- materials are offered for every program. Programs are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and California’s History–Social Science Content Standards.
Download Teacher Materials:
House & Garden Experience
Nature Hike
Patterns In The Garden
Plein Air Art Exploration
Is it possible to make a change to our reservation?
Yes. You have 14 days after Filoli confirms your registration to confirm your transportation. After that, there is a $50 processing fee per class to change the date.
What is the cancellation policy?
30 days or more before your visit: Refund and $50 Processing Fee per class
If you have paid already, Filoli will issue a refund minus the $50 processing fee. If you have not yet paid, your school will be charged a $50 processing fee.
Less than 30 days before your visit: No Refunds
Full payment will be charged to your school or district.
Schools given fee waivers will also be charged a $50 processing fee for changing dates or cancelling.
Field trips are held in light rain. Refunds will not be issued due to inclement weather or state testing however, a credit may be extended to a future trip within the same school year and the change fee will be waived.
What is the chaperone policy?
Is your class taking a bus? The maximum number of adults is 5, including the teacher.
Is your class taking cars? You may bring 1 adult for every 3 students, including the teacher.
These ratios will be strictly enforced. Classes that exceed the number of allowed adults will be asked to pay general admission prices for the additional adults. Payment for additional adults can only be made on the day of the field trip. Additional adults may not accompany the students. They may explore the House and Garden on their own.
Through the support of individual donors and foundations, Filoli will offer opportunities for students from under-served schools to experience art, nature, the Bay Area environment, and Filoli’s historical relevance. Fee waivers and bus support will be offered – on a first come first served basis – to schools in which 50% or more of students are eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Apply for fee waivers and/or bus support when you register online. Filoli engages in ongoing fundraising efforts to provide fee waivers and bus support. Please allow up to 30 days from the date of your reservation request for staff to confirm if funds are available. Your date will be held during this wait period.
Filoli is grateful to these donors for their support of our School Programs:
Anonymous
EACH Foundation
Friends of Filoli Volunteers
Children can enjoy Filoli and its unique, bountiful resources through interactive and engaging programming. Filoli offers camps and after school programs three options to choose from, each with a unique a range of experiences.
House & Garden Experience
Cost: $190 for up to 35 children
Grades: 1-5
The House & Garden Experience offers children a trip back in time through the history and traditions of the Estate and the people who lived and worked there. Children are lead by your chaperones on a station-based experience through the House and Garden. At the stations, Filoli volunteers lead activities that connect the children to art, history, and even architecture. Children learn dance steps from the past, try their hand at the old-fashioned lawn game of croquet, and help prepare tea for the Lady of the House. They will also go on a scavenger hunt while exploring the garden.
Nature Hikes
Cost: $280 for up to 35 children
Grades: 3-5
On Nature Hikes, children hike just under two miles in the Nature Preserve, walking through field and forest. They stop at a redwood grove to learn about these amazing trees, pause at the pond to look for water creatures, and visit the Nature Center to marvel over animal skeletons and artifacts. Filoli’s Guides will teach them how to look for evidence of animals, which plants are useful and which are poisonous, and how the land has been used by different populations over the centuries.
Plein Air Art Exploration
Cost: $190 for up to 35 children
Grades: 3-8
Children experience the tranquility and beauty of Filoli while learning to paint plein air, or “in the open air.” They will walk on the Nature Preserve and paint a scene of the fields and the mountains beyond. Guides will share images of master works from Monet and contemporary artists to discuss composition and use of color and texture. Then each child will find a special spot in the formal garden to paint a flower or plant that inspires them. Each child will take home two works of art created “in plein air.”
Program time:
All programs are 2-hours long. Filoli is open from 10a.m. – 5p.m. Picnic tables are available for lunch or snacks.
Chaperone policy:
All programs require four adults from your organization to act as chaperones during the program.
To request a reservation for your camp or after school program group, email youthprograms@filoli.org with the following information:
Date
Time
Grades
Number of children
Number of adults
Desired programs
Camp or after school program
Filoli’s Nature Preserve offers two unique opportunities for scouts to explore art and nature.
Plein Air Art Exploration
Children experience the tranquility and beauty of Filoli while learning to paint plein air, or “in the open air.” They will walk on the Nature Preserve and paint a scene of the fields and the mountains beyond. Guides will share images of master works from Monet and contemporary artists to discuss composition and use of color and texture. Then each child will find a special spot in the formal garden to paint a flower or plant that inspires them. Each child will take home two works of art created “in plein air.”
Nature Hikes
On hikes, Filoli’s Guides can highlight animals or plants relevant to badges scouts are working towards. Filoli’s Nature Preserve is an outstanding area for nature education, offering a variety of ecosystems within a compact area including oak-madrone forests, redwood forests, chaparral, riparian zones, a pond and agricultural fields. Hikes can include a visit to the Nature Center to marvel over animal skeletons and artifacts.
Fees
$11 per person (children and adults)
Plus:
$75 for one Filoli Guide for up to 15 people
$150 for two Filoli Guides for 16-30 people
Programs are 90-120 minutes long, depending on the age of the children. Groups may also take a self-guided tour of the House and Garden after their Hike or Plein Air Art Exploration.
To request a Hike or Plein Air Art Exploration for your scout group, email youthprograms@filoli.org with the following information:
Date
Time
Age
Number of children
Number of adults
Badge (if any)
Program (Hike or Plein Air Art)