K-12 Field Trips to The Teaching Garden
At GrowNYC's Teaching Garden, we provide age-appropriate environmental education programming for K-12 students of all abilities.
Led by our experienced team of Urban Farmers and Educators, students participate in a one-hour hands-on session that covers topics such as food justice, soil health, plant anatomy, composting, and healthy eating.
We offer four time slots each week, at 10 am and 11 am, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Getting to the Teaching Garden
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Field trips to Governors Island Teaching Garden require a 10-15-minute ferry ride that departs promptly at either 10:00am or 11:00am from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Manhattan.
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The ferry from 10 South Street is included in your program so no ticket purchase is necessary. You will receive your reservation 1 week before your trip.
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Governors Island is open to the public daily, year- round. Classes may choose to stay longer on the island to enjoy the playground, forts, hammocks, and more. Please let the Education Coordinator know if your class will be taking an early ferry and getting to the garden independently.
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Important Note: It is a 15-20-minute walk from the ferry to the garden. Ensure your students and chaperones will be able to walk 15-20 minutes each way in addition to the hour moving around the garden in all kinds of weather. Unfortunately, we are unable to make transportation accommodations between the ferry and Teaching Garden.
Registering
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We prioritize schools with the highest economic need per the DOE economic need index (ENI). If your schools ENI is above 83%, you may register during the early registration period.
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Teachers will register for either the 10am or 11am field trip. Be sure to double-check your registration prior to your trip to ensure you arrive in time for the correct ferry.
Please note: Up to 4 field trip slots may be booked by teachers from one school. Please coordinate with other teachers and the principal at your school if many teachers are interested in a field trip. We aim to make sure as many students as possible from across the city have a chance to visit the Teaching Garden.
Spring Field Trips 2025
May 6th through June 25th
Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am and 11am
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Registration for schools with an economic need index over 83% opens Monday March 24th at 9am.
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Registration for all other schools opens Monday March 31st.
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Class size must be at least 20 students (excluding classes with special needs) and may not exceed 33 students.
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There is a maximum of 1 adult for every 5 students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide lunch for students?
No, students must bring their own lunch to the garden. Options for purchasing food on Governors Island are very limited, and students will not have time to purchase lunch during the field trip.
We're not a K-12 group. Can we still come?
Yes! We serve most educational groups including camps, non-profits and students ages 5 and up.
Is the Teaching Garden ADA accessible?
The Teaching Garden is a 10-15 minute walk from the ferry. When booking, please let us know your ADA needs so we can properly prepare.
How do we get to Governors Island?
Field trips to Governors Island Teaching Garden require a 10-15-minute ferry ride that departs from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Manhattan. Please see Governors Island Ferry Schedule.
Can we take the ferry from Brooklyn?
We understand that traveling can be challenging, and it may be more convenient for your school to use the NYCFerry from Brooklyn. However, please note that GrowNYC does not cover the cost of your tickets for this option. Each student (children under 44' ride free) and chaperone will need to purchase a $4 ticket each way. Please visit the NYC Ferry to plan your trip.
How much does the field trip cost?
Our programming for K-12 NYC schools and summer camps is free.
Can my class stay on the island after our trip to enjoy Governors Island?
Yes! You are welcome to stay on the island longer than our itinerary calls for. Please let the Education coordinator know if you would like to come earlier than your scheduled time and we can make changes to your ferry reservation. You do not need a reservation or ticket to leave the island.
Can we bring more than the recommended number of chaperones?
Yes! District 75 and self-contained classes are always welcome to bring as many chaperones as they need. All other schools are welcome to bring more chaperones, however, we may ask that some of the chaperones sit on the side during the programming in the garden to prevent distractions to students and to cut down on the size of the group moving through the space.
I didn't book a trip. Can we just show up?
Unfortunately, no. The Teaching Garden is closed to the public Monday-Friday for field trips. If you are interested in coming to the garden, please visit our public program page here.
How do you determine a schools economic need index?
We use this website to determine a school's ENI.