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Registration opens for Orange County schools on August 17th. Registration for schools outside of Orange County opens August 24th.

Fall 2026

Bayou Babies

Grade Levels: K,1,2

Weeks offered: 9/29-10/1, 10/6-10/8

During this 2-hour lesson, students will explore the different “babies” born each year at Shangri La Gardens. From alligators and turtles to egrets and bats, this lesson allows for an up-close look at how many creatures at Shangri La Gardens are born and survive along Adams Bayou. Students will examine eggshells from hatched animals and look for young wildlife as they explore the gardens and bayou. Through investigation and instruction, students will gain a new appreciation for how young offspring are born, adapt, and survive in this unique and beautiful environment. This lesson DOES include a boat tour.

Bat Chat

Grade Levels: 3,4,5

Weeks offered: 10/20-10/22, 10/27-10/29

Small but mighty, bats are a vital member of the Texas ecosystem, and in this 2-hour lesson, students will gain a new appreciation for these tiny creatures that serve as important contributors to the environment of Shangri La Gardens. Students will examine the anatomy of a bat, learn about its habitat, both natural and man-made, and explore the importance of bats for the environment and for humans as well. Students will learn why Texas is considered the “battiest” state in the nation all the while experiencing the beauty and wonder of their natural world. This lesson DOES include a boat tour.

The Secret Life of Trees

Grade Levels: 2,3,4

Weeks offered: 11/3-11/5, 11/17-11/19

During this 2-hour lesson, students will step into the world of trees with some hands-on investigation! Students will explore fallen logs to uncover how trees continue to support various organisms even after they’ve died. Learn about the life cycle of trees, from a tiny acorn to a majestic oak, and count annual growth rings in a tree cookie to help create one representing their own age. As budding tree detectives, they’ll match different leaves and bark types to their tree owners and earn a special badge for their efforts. Join us for an immersive experience that celebrates the incredible role trees play in our ecosystem! This lesson DOES include a boat tour.

Art for Conservation*

Grade Levels: 5,6,7,8

Weeks offered: 9/22-9/24, 10/13-10/15, 11/10-11/12, 12/1-12/3

Discover what you can do to be an environmental conservationist during this 4 ½-hour lesson at the Stark Museum of Art and Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center.

At Shangri La Gardens, students will explore the swamps, forests, and wetland habitats that birds and other critters call home. We will discuss migration and the importance of habitat conservation through hands-on activities.

At the Stark Museum, students will go on an expedition through the galleries to learn how the work of artists and explorers has helped protect land, waterways, and creatures of all kinds. In the Art Studio, students will create their own artwork to voice an environmental conservation message of their choosing.

Students will spend approximately 2 hours at Shangri La Gardens and 2 hours at the Stark Museum Art. Students should bring a sack lunch; there will be a 1/2 hour lunch break at Shangri La Gardens. The bus driver should be prepared to shuttle students between Shangri La Gardens and the Stark Museum of Art during this lesson. This program DOES include a boat tour.

*This lesson is aligned with Grade 5-8 Art, ELAR, Science, and Social Studies TEKS/LSS

Spring 2027

Squid Dissection

Grade Levels: 4,5,6,7,8

Weeks offered: 1/19-1/22, 1/27-1/29, 2/2-2/5

In this two-hour lesson, students will practice safe lab procedures as we introduce them to the wonders of dissection. Students will learn external and internal anatomy, focusing on what makes squid unique. Students will extract the beak, the “pen,” and lenses from the eyes. They will also explore the ink sac as well as the gills. This is an indoor lesson and DOES NOT include a boat tour.

Grasshopper Dissection

Grade Levels: 4,5,6,7,8

Weeks offered: 1/19-1/22, 1/27-1/29, 2/2-2/5

In this 2-hour lesson, students will practice safe lab procedures as we introduce them to the wonders of dissection. Students will focus on the unique external anatomy of grasshoppers and will glimpse the internal anatomy of an herbivore. Students will remove the legs, wings, antennae, and all mouth parts. They will tape these to a card that they get to keep. This is an indoor lesson and DOES NOT include a boat tour.

Garden Explorers

Grade Levels: Pre-K, K

Weeks offered: 3/30-4/1, 4/6-4/9, 4/13-4/15

During this 1½-hour lesson, students will use all five senses to explore Shangri La Gardens. Students will plant a seed to take home, experience a veggie tasting, enjoy story time, identify animal sounds, and play a game! This program DOES NOT include a boat tour.

Animal Safari

Grade Levels: K,1,2

Weeks offered: 4/20-4/23, 4/27-4/30

During this 2-hour lesson, students will explore different areas of our gardens and bayou, observing animal behaviors, characteristics, basic needs, and habitats. Using investigations and games, we will sort animals into basic groups (mammals, fish, birds, etc.), and explore how animals compete with each other for resources. This lesson DOES include a boat ride.

Nature Notebooks

Grade Levels: 3,4,5,6,7,8

Weeks offered: 3/2-3/5, 3/9-3/12

During this 2-hour lesson, students will capture their observations of the natural world through word and creativity. Each student's nature journal will offer the opportunity to experience connection with the natural world. Through individual documentation, students will work to build skills in observation, sketching, and appreciation of nature’s beauty and mystery. Students will make observations and document what they encounter in the gardens, forest, swamp, and bayou. This authentic use of a real scientific tool helps students understand what science is and to think of themselves as scientists. This lesson DOES include a boat tour.

The Swamp Stories*

Grade Levels: 2,3,4

Weeks offered: 2/23-2/26, 3/30-4/2, 5/4-5/7

Discover what makes the bayous and wetlands of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana so special during this 4.5-hour program at the Stark Museum of Art and Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center.

At Shangri La Gardens, students will embark on an adventure to investigate the natural environment of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. As the students explore the bayou region they will grow to understand that each creature, whether human, mammal, reptile, or insect, has a story all its own.

At the Stark Museum, students will explore how artists portray the histories and mysteries of the region’s peoples, creatures, waterways, and landscapes, as well as how artists use materials and inspiration from their surroundings to create unique works of art. In the Art Studio, students will create their own artwork that tells a story of the region they call home. This program includes a visit to the special exhibition The Bayou Collection by George Rodrigue.

Students will spend approximately 2 hours at Shangri La Gardens and 2 hours at the Stark Museum Art. Students should bring a sack lunch; there will be a 1/2 hour lunch break at Shangri La Gardens. The bus driver should be prepared to shuttle students between Shangri La Gardens and the Stark Museum of Art during this lesson. This program DOES include a boat tour.

*This lesson is aligned with Grade 5-8 Art, ELAR, Science, and Social Studies TEKS/LSS

Rewind Time

Grade Levels: 3,4,5

Weeks offered: 2/9-2/12, 2/16-2/19

During this brand-new combo lesson with The W.H. Stark House Education Team, students will step back in time at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center for a hands-on, immersive experience! Students will explore what childhood was like in Orange during the late 1800s and early 1900s through historic photographs, archival materials, collection objects, and interactive activities. Along the way, they will uncover connections between Southeast Texas' natural environment, lumber industry, and community history. This lesson DOES include a guided boat tour of Adams Bayou, where history and nature come together in an unforgettable experiential learning adventure.

*This lesson is held onsite at Shangri La Gardens.

 

Mind, Body, and Soil

Grade Levels: 3,4,5,6,7,8

Weeks offered: 3/16-3/19, 3/23-3/26

Recent studies show that experiences in the natural world reduce stress and anxiety while boosting emotional wellness, productivity, and creativity. During this two-hour lesson, join us as we seek to promote mental health awareness as well as emotional support and regulation through a variety of activities that offer students the opportunity to unwind and recharge in nature. Students will explore the gardens, forest, swamp, and bayou while practicing healthy habits and learning new ways to interact with Mother Nature. This lesson DOES include a boat tour.

The Scoop on Soil

Grade Levels: All Special Education Grades

Fall and Spring- Call to schedule

During this 1-hour lesson, students will learn what plants need to grow and about what is happening in the soil beneath! Through hands-on exploration, we will delve into the dynamics of soil and develop an understanding of the valuable contributions made by decomposers such as earthworms and pill bugs (rollie pollies). Each student will make a special terrarium garden to take home.

*Teachers, this lesson can be facilitated onsite at Shangri La Gardens, or in your classroom as an outreach program. Whatever is easiest for you and your students!*

Please contact Paula Stout at (409) 670-9113 or pstout@shangrilagardens.org to schedule this class.

Onsite School Program Registration 26-27

  • Please enter a number greater than or equal to 1.
  • Please enter a number greater than or equal to 1.
  • For safety reasons, Shangri La Gardens requires 1 adult for every 10 students. For example, if you have 20 students in your class, you should bring 2 adults, including teachers and parents. If you have 24 students in your class, you should bring 3 adults. Exception: one-on-one aides.

  • Requested Time - First Choice

    ATTENTION: Please reference the calendar above (also at the back of our Schedule of Classes catalog) for dates of programs.

  • Requested Time - Second Choice

    ATTENTION: Please reference the calendar above (also at the back of our Schedule of Classes catalog) for dates of programs.

  • Requested Time - Third Choice

    ATTENTION: Please reference the calendar above (also at the back of our Schedule of Classes catalog) for dates of programs.

  • IN CONSIDERATION OF BEING INLUDED IN PARTICIPATION IN ANY SHANGRI LA BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NATURE CENTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, INCLUDING AN ONSITE FIELD TRIP, VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP, OR OUTREACH PROGRAM (COLLECTIVELY “SCHOOL PROGRAM”), THE SCHOOL AND/OR HOME SCHOOL PARENT (“REGISTRANT”) ASSUMES ALL RISK OF AND THE SOLE AND ENTIRE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY AND ALL HARMS OCCURRING DURING OR ARISING OUT OF THE SCHOOL PROGRAM, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BODILY AND PERSONAL INJURY OR ILLNESS AND DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF PROPERTY THAT MAY BE SUSTAINED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SCHOOL PROGRAM, AND INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY SUCH HARM TO THE REGISTRANT OR ANY OF THE STUDENTS, CHAPERONES, OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS ASSOCIATED WITH REGISTRANT. IN CONSIDERATION OF BEING INLUDED IN PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHOOL PROGRAM, THE REGISTRANT RELEASES AND DISCHARGES SHANGRI LA BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NATURE CENTER AND THE NELDA C. AND H.J. LUTCHER STARK FOUNDATION AND THEIR AGENTS AND ALL RELATED ENTITIES (COLLECTIVELY, “PARTIES RELEASED”) FROM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS, INJURY, ILLNESS, DAMAGE, AND OTHER HARMS THAT MAY BE SUSTAINED DURING OR ARISING OUT OF THE SCHOOL PROGRAM AND, FURTHER, WAIVES ALL CLAIMS FOR RECOVERY OF DAMAGES, INDEMNIFICATION, OR ANY OTHER RELIEF WITH REGARD TO ANY SUCH CLAIMED LOSS, INJURY, ILLNESS DAMAGE, OR OTHER HARMS.
  • Shangri La Garden's Field Trip programs are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. Reservations are not complete until it is confirmed by a Shangri La Gardens Education Staff Member.