Youth 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: K – 5th Grades
- Patterns in the Garden: K – 2nd Grades
- Plein Air Art Exploration: 3rd – 8th Grades
- Nature Hike: 3rd – 5th Grades
Registration FAQ’s
- 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.
- Registrations are taken online only. Please fill out the registration form.
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
Patterns in the Garden
Plein Air Art Exploration
Nature Hike
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 reimbursement 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.
Bus Reimbursement Policy:
- Filoli will reimburse your school up to $500 per class. If two classes share a bus, Filoli will reimburse up to $1,000 towards the cost of the bus.
- Schools will be asked to provide Filoli with a copy of the bus invoice.
- Filoli does not pay the bus company and instead reimburses the school directly.
Filoli offers camps and after-school programs field trips with the same pricing and program options as schools. Filoli staff will help to select a program suitable for your group size and ages of the children in your program.
Programs are available during Filoli’s open hours: 10:00am to 5:00pm. Picnic tables are available for snack or lunch. Filoli requires adults from your organization to act as chaperones during the program. Ratios are based on the number of students in your group.
To request a reservation for your camp or after-school program group, email youthprograms@filoli.org with the following information:
Date
Time
Number of children in each grade
Number of adults
Desired programs
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 masterworks 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.
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. Picnic tables are available for snack or lunch.
To request a Hike or Plein Air Art Exploration for your scout group, email youthprograms@filoli.org with the following information:
Date (Programs not offered during Holidays at Filoli)
Time
Age
Number of children
Number of adults
Badge (if any)
Program (Hike or Plein Air)