Gabis Field Trip Packages
Inspire curiosity, discovery and a love for nature—one trail at a time.
Gabis Arboretum offers a variety of unique field trip experiences that combine nature, education and exploration for grades K–12.
Note: All packages require a minimum of 2 weeks’ advance notice.
Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be issued only in the event that the arboretum cancels a scheduled program or event due to safety concerns. All programs and events are conducted rain or shine. In the case of severe or hazardous weather conditions, the arboretum will notify the designated group leader to arrange an alternate date or adjust the event schedule as appropriate.
Types of Field Trips
Whether your group prefers a self-paced journey or a guided adventure, each package includes access to scenic trails, educational content and a welcoming space for lunch and reflection.
| Name | Description | Group Size | Availability | Time | Average Cost per Person | Train |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapling Safari | The Sapling Safari package is a journey through winding trails and vibrant landscapes with our self-guided hike experience. See Details and Book | Up to 200 students | All Year | Explore at your own pace | $3 | No |
| Wild Wonders Adventure | The Wild Wonders Adventure package allows learners to discover nature with our guided hike experience. See Details and Book | Up to 50 students | May through October | 2 hours | $6 | No |
| Trailblazer Express | The Trailblazer Express package allows learners to step into a world where hiking trails meet the rails on this guided adventure through scenic landscapes and our enchanting Railway Garden. See Details and Book | Up to 50 students | May through October | 3 hours | $9 | Yes |
| STEM on the Trails | The STEM on the Trails package is a dynamic outdoor learning adventure where science, nature and imagination come together! See Details and Book | Up to 200 students | May through October | 3 1/2 to 4 hours | $10 | Yes |
| Walk through the Wetlands | Students will take a hike to the wetland area where they will have the opportunity to observe aquatic organisms that live in and around the wetland. See Details and Book | Up to 200 students | April through October | Approx. 2 hours | $7 | No |
| Sights and Sounds | Along a guided hike, students will have the opportunity to find and identify different colors through an engaging scavenger hunt. See Details and Book | Up to 200 students | Late May through October | Approx. 2 hours | $7 | No |
| Weathering and Erosion | Students will hike down a creek bed and discover the effects of moving water on weathered rocks. See Details and Book | Up to 200 students | April through October | Approx. 2 hours | $7 | No |
| Exploring Habitats | Students will identify and describe different habitats at Gabis Arboretum. See Details and Book | Up to 200 students | Late May through October | Approx. 2 hours | $7 | No |
| Native Plants vs. Invasive Species | Students will hike around the prairie and learn about the native plant species. See Details and Book | Up to 200 students | Late May through October | Approx. 2 hours | $7 | No |
| Indiana Railroads and The Industrial Revolution | Students will explore the model train set at Gabis Arboretum with a Field Study Leader who prompts them to critically think about the impact of railroads on natural resources. See Details and Book | Up to 200 students | Late May through October | Approx. 2 hours | $7 | Yes |
Planning a field trip or have questions?
We’re here to help you create a smooth, memorable experience for your students!
For questions about scheduling, availability or customizing your visit, please reach out to our team: Leslie Kiser or Devin Pritchard.
Explore Additional Field Trip Details
Sapling Safari
Explore at your own pace.
Self-Guided Hike
The Sapling Safari package is a journey through winding trails and vibrant landscapes with our self-guided hike experience. Learners take in the sights, sounds and serenity of the outdoors at their own pace—no schedule, no rush, just the joy of the journey.
This outing is offered at a flat rate based on group size, which includes general admission.
To support educators, teachers attend free of charge.
Sapling Safari Details
- Availability: Weekdays & weekends (year-round)
- Group Size: Up to 200 students
- Time Commitment: Group’s decision
Includes
- Welcome packet with trail maps and activity guides
- Trail safety briefing
- Self-guided hike through scenic trails
- Picnic table lunch space
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $3 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $30 for up to 10 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $600 for 200 individuals
- Up to 10 people: $30
- Up to 15 people: $45
- Up to 20 people: $60
- Up to 25 people: $75
- Up to 30 people: $90
- Up to 40 people: $120
- Up to 50 people: $150
- Up to 75 people: $225
- Up to 100 people: $300
- Up to 150 people: $450
- Up to 200 people: $600
Wild Wonders Adventure
Discover Nature, one step at a time.
Guided Hike
The Wild Wonders Adventure package allows learners to discover nature, one step at a time, with our guided hike experience. This adventure blends exploration with education.
Whether you’re spotting birds in the canopy or identifying wildflowers along the path, this immersive experience offers a perfect balance of outdoor fun and environmental discovery.
This outing is offered at a flat rate based on group size, which includes general admission and reflects the number of hike docents required to safely and effectively host each group.
To support educators, teachers attend free of charge.
Wild Wonders Adventure Details
- Availability: May through October
- Days Offered:
- Thursday in May
- Wednesday and Thursday from June to October
- Group Size: Up to 50 students
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
Includes
- 90-minute guided hike with a docent
- Trail safety briefing
- On-trail nature education session
- Visit to the Railway Garden (scavenger hunt, no model trains)
- Picnic table lunch space
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $6 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $60 for up to 10 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $300 for 50 individuals
- Up to 10 people: $60
- Up to 15 people: $90
- Up to 20 people: $120
- Up to 25 people: $150
- Up to 30 people: $180
- Up to 40 people: $240
- Up to 50 people: $300
Trailblazer Express
Where the trails meet tracks
Guided Hike and Railway Garden with Model Trains
The Trailblazer Express package allows learners to step into a world where hiking trails meet the rails on this guided adventure through scenic landscapes and our enchanting Railway Garden—a blending of nature, imagination and engineering.
This outing is offered at a flat rate based on group size, which includes general admission and reflects the number of hike docents required to safely and effectively host each group.
To support educators, teachers attend free of charge.
Trailblazer Express Details
- Availability: May through October
- Days Offered:
- Wednesday and Friday in May
- Friday in June through October
- Group Size: Up to 50 students
- Time Commitment: 3 hours
- Includes:
- 90-minute guided hike with a docent
- Trail safety briefing
- On-trail nature education session
- Visit to the Railway Garden (includes model trains & scavenger hunt)
- Picnic table lunch space
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $9 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $90 for up to 10 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $450 for 50 individuals
- Up to 10 people: $90
- Up to 15 people: $135
- Up to 20 people: $180
- Up to 25 people: $225
- Up to 30 people: $270
- Up to 40 people: $360
- Up to 50 people: $450
STEM on the Trails
Science, nature and imagination—on the move.
Hybrid Field Study
The STEM on the Trails package is a dynamic outdoor learning adventure where science, nature and imagination come together!
Learners will embark on a guided hike through scenic trails and visit hands-on STEM activity stations along the way. You’ll visit our Railway Garden, where model trains wind through intricate landscapes.
This outing is offered at a flat rate based on group size, which includes general admission and reflects the number of hike docents required to safely and effectively host each group.
To support educators, teachers attend free of charge.
STEM on the Trails Details
- Availability: May through October
- Days Offered:
- Wednesday and Friday in May
- Friday from June through October
- Group Size: Up to 200 students
- Time Commitment: 3 1/2 to 4 hours
Includes
- 90-minute guided hike with a docent
- Trail safety briefing
- STEM activity stations (topics vary by season)
- Visit to the Railway Garden (includes model trains & scavenger hunt)
- Picnic table lunch space
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $10 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $325 for up to 25 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $1700 for 200 individuals
- Up to 25 people: $325
- Up to 50 people: $550
- Up to 75 people: $775
- Up to 100 people: $1000
- Up to 150 people: $1350
- Up to 200 people: $1700
Walk through the Wetlands
Field Study
Offered with PNW’s School of Education and Counseling.
Students will take a hike to the wetland area, where they will have the opportunity to observe aquatic organisms that live in and around the wetland.
Students will engage with insect collection and identification. The Field Study leader will engage students with critical thinking questions, asking them to observe the surroundings and then record their findings.
Walk through the Wetlands Learning Objectives
- Students will apply scientific methods to the collection of aquatic invertebrates/insects found.
- Students will use their knowledge of living organisms to make predictions on water quality.
- Students will observe a variety of habitats.
Details
- Available: April through October
- Time Commitment: Approximately 2 hours
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $7 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $250 for up to 25 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $1100 for 200 individuals
- Up to 25 people: $250
- Up to 50 people: $400
- Up to 75 people: $550
- Up to 100 people: $700
- Up to 150 people: $900
- Up to 200 people: $1100
Sights and Sound
Field Study
Offered with PNW’s School of Education and Counseling.
Along a guided hike, students will have the opportunity to find and identify different colors through an engaging scavenger hunt. Students will be taken on a silent hike to immerse themselves in the sounds of nature.
Students will engage in critical thinking questions and be guided through the creation of a sound map based on their experiences. They will then be taken to the Gabis Sound Garden, where they can try to recreate what they heard from the plants!
Sights and Sound Learning Objectives
- Students will understand the importance of colors in nature and the critical role it plays for many organisms.
- Students will observe and record sights and sounds of a variety of organisms throughout the arboretum.
- Students will understand the concepts of sound mapping and apply it in creating their own sound maps.
Details
- Available: Late May-October
- Time Commitment: Approximately 2 hours
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $7 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $250 for up to 25 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $1100 for 200 individuals
- Up to 25 people: $250
- Up to 50 people: $400
- Up to 75 people: $550
- Up to 100 people: $700
- Up to 150 people: $900
- Up to 200 people: $1100
Weathering and Erosion
Field Study
Offered with PNW’s School of Education and Counseling.
Students will hike down a creek bed and discover the effects of moving water on weathered rocks. They will then be introduced to a variety of weather reading tools. Their exploration as “meteorologists” will guide them into discovering what erosion and weathering “looks like” in real-life applications.
The Field Study leader will engage students with critical thinking questions asking them to observe the surroundings and then record their findings.
Weathering & Erosion Learning Objectives
- Understand the processes of weathering and erosion through hands-on exploration.
- Explore meteorological concepts and the impact of weather on the environment.
- Apply scientific principles to practical scenarios.
Details
- Available: April through October
- Time Commitment: Approximately 2 hours
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $7 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $250 for up to 25 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $1100 for 200 individuals
- Up to 25 people: $250
- Up to 50 people: $400
- Up to 75 people: $550
- Up to 100 people: $700
- Up to 150 people: $900
- Up to 200 people: $1100
Exploring Habitats
Field Study
Offered with PNW’s School of Education and Counseling.
Students will identify and describe different habitats at Gabis Arboretum. They will understand the characteristics of each habitat and the animals and plants that inhabit them.
Students will recognize the importance of habitat preservation and conservation. The Field Study leader will engage students with critical thinking questions and provide information on the natural habitats discovered.
Exploring Habitats Learning Objectives
- Students will identify and describe different habitats at Gabis Arboretum.
- Students will understand the characteristics of each habitat and the animals and plants that inhabit them.
- Students will recognize the importance of habitat preservation and conservation.
Details
- Available: Late May through October
- Time Commitment: Approximately 2 hours
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $7 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $250 for up to 25 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $1100 for 200 individuals
- Up to 25 people: $250
- Up to 50 people: $400
- Up to 75 people: $550
- Up to 100 people: $700
- Up to 150 people: $900
- Up to 200 people: $1100
Native Plants vs. Invasive Species
Field Study
Offered with PNW’s School of Education and Counseling.
Students will hike around the prairie and learn about the native plant species. This experience will culminate in students creating models of plants and structures using 3D modeling pens (art connection).
The Field Study leader will engage students with critical thinking questions and provide information on the native and invasive plants found at Gabis Arboretum.
Exploring Habitats Learning Objectives
- Students will understand the concept of plant communication and bioelectrical signals
- Students will learn about the technology behind PlantWave and how it translates bioelectrical signals into sound.
- Students will explore the relationship between plants and their environment.
Details
- Available: Late May through October
- Time Commitment: Approximately 2 hours
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $7 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $250 for up to 25 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $1100 for 200 individuals
- Up to 25 people: $250
- Up to 50 people: $400
- Up to 75 people: $550
- Up to 100 people: $700
- Up to 150 people: $900
- Up to 200 people: $1100
Indiana Railroads and The Industrial Revolution
Field Study
Offered with PNW’s School of Education and Counseling.
Students will explore the model train set at Gabis Arboretum with a Field Study Leader who prompts them to critically think about the impact of railroads on natural resources.
Students will be led through different areas of Gabis to practice creating hypotheses about how plants, animals, and soil could be changed due to industrialization.
Exploring Habitats Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to explain the impact of railroads on the natural environment.
- Students will be able to summarize how the Industrial Revolution utilized and expanded the Railroad system.
- Students will apply historical concepts to their surrounding environment.
Details
- Available: Late May through October
- Time Commitment: Approximately 2 hours
Tiered Group Pricing
We keep field trips affordable with a rate structure that averages $7 per person.
- Small groups: Pricing starts at $250 for up to 25 individuals
- Large groups: Pricing scales gradually up to $1100 for 200 individuals
- Up to 25 people: $250
- Up to 50 people: $400
- Up to 75 people: $550
- Up to 100 people: $700
- Up to 150 people: $900
- Up to 200 people: $1100