Children's Program
The JC Raulston Arboretum is one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the Triangle area. Have you discovered it? If not, we invite you to come and explore our gardens with your children and grandchildren! Our goal is to offer creative, fun, science-based programs for families. Current programs are designed for children ages three and up.
The Arboretum serves as a living laboratory, designed and maintained to educate and inspire visitors to connect with the natural world. We strive to provide creative programs that teach children and families about their surrounding cultivated landscapes and about the interaction between people, plants, soil, water, air, and pollinators within these landscapes.
Through the Children's Program, the JCRA welcomes families into this living laboratory to explore and learn together with hands-on, science education.
Program Offerings
May 24, 2013 (Friday) – 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
June 7, 2013 (Friday) – 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
June 9, 2013 (Sunday) – 2:00 PM–3:30 PM
June 21, 2013 (Friday)
June 28, 2013 (Friday) – 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
July 12, 2013 (Friday) – 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
July 18, 2013 (Thursday) – 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
July 26, 2013 (Friday) – 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
July 9, 2013 (Tuesday) – 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
August 15, 2013 (Thursday) – 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
August 23, 2013 (Friday) – 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
Preschool Programs: Garden storytimes are offered monthly.
Homeschool Programs: A variety of topics are offered each year from October to April. Groups request and schedule programs through children's program coordinator. Our 2012–2013 Homeschool Programs include geocaching/map skills, environment, "Delicious Plant Parts," and soils.
Special Family Events: Seasonal events for children of all ages include the Spring Egg Hunt and Take a Child Outside week.
School's Out Programs: Coming soon! Offered on Wake County Public School System traditional calendar teacher workdays and early release days. Programs scheduled by children's program coordinator.
Schools Come to Us: Coming soon! By request only; and as time permits; must be suitable for existing program content.
Our children's programs are still being cultivated! Sorry, but we do not yet offer general school field trips, general children's tours, or programs that go into the schools.
If you have a scout, youth or other group that would like to visit, we can customized a program to fit your needs. For more information or to make a request, please contact Elizabeth Overcash, Children's Program coordinator at (919) 513-7007 or elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu.
Registration Information
Preregistration is required for our programs; space is limited and registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is considered complete when payment is received. When a program is full, we will post it on our Web site in the Calendar of Events section.
For our programs, parent/caregivers must stay with their children. No drop offs, please.
We know last minute things come up when dealing with children! We try to be accommodating to parents, but we also have to adequately plan for staff/volunteer time and program supplies. Therefore, you may withdraw from a program with no penalty up to one week prior to program start date. After that, there will be no refunds available. If for some reason, a program is canceled by JCRA, we will refund the full program fee. All programs are rain or shine.
JCRA members receive advance notice of programs and even a discount on many children's programs, so join today! It's fast, easy, and secure.
Topic Areas and Activities
Plants: Learn about plant structures; be a plant detective using tools such as microscopes; create clay models of plant structures; make a work of art using natural materials.
Soil: Explore soil components, particle sizes, and how water and nutrients move through soil. Discover the role of roots and the amazing world down under. Learn the principles of composting.
Water: Hypothesize, test, observe, and record how water flows in different parts of the garden; Observe and discuss how water interacts with plants, soil, and other objects. Learn to identify permeable and impermeable surfaces, visit the A. E. Finley Rooftop Terrace; discuss conservation principles.
Air: Learn how plants and people share the air; explore the process of photosynthesis; and discuss plant sensitivities to pollutants.
Pollinators: Identify host plants, investigate pollinator/plant interdependencies, and life cycles. Learn how to choose plants and protect the health of pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Love Working with Plants and Children?
Join us as a Children's Program volunteer.
Volunteers are needed on weekday mornings and on weekends year-round.
Contact Elizabeth Overcash, Children's Program coordinator at (919) 513-7007 or elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu.
For information about the JC Raulston Arboretum's Volunteer Program, please contact Barbara Kennedy, volunteer coordinator, at (919) 513-7004 or barbara_kennedy@ncsu.edu.