Youth Education Program

of San Francisco Botanical Garden Society

Guided Childrens Walks

Procedures and Policies

1. Please arrive at 10 a.m. in order to allow time to confer with other guides, be ready if the class
arrives early, make sure you have everything you need from the office, etc. If you can arrive
even earlier, you can do a quick review in the garden.
2. Check the white board on the lockers where backpacks/lunches are stored. Double check that
you are ready for the correct walk, that you know which teacher you are looking for, and that
you know who your fellow guides are. It is not uncommon for information to be added/changed
the morning of the walk.
3. When the class arrives, decide who will greet the teacher and discuss the following: number of
students on the walk today; any special needs we should know about, specific areas of study;
time expectation some teachers have specific requirements, be sure to inquire otherwise the
general guidelines are
First Look walks = Kindergarten 45 minutes, 1st grade 1 full hour
Web, Plant Travelers, Flowers walks = 1 hours
NPNP, Redwoods walks = 1 hours
Please do not cut walks shorter than necessary. Teachers have gone to a lot of effort to get the
children to our garden, and their visit should be longer than their bus ride! Guides should
expect that a school walk will require at least 2 hours from start to finish.
4. Take the class to the locker area (one locker per class), store their items, and the last guide locks
the locker (0407 or 0407B). Then have the teacher divide the class into groups according to the
number of guides (the aim in scheduling is 6-8 children per guide, small numbers for very
young or special education classes, but sometimes larger groups are necessary).
5. Decide on a time and place to meet after the walk is over and make sure all the groups are
aware of this before starting out. BE SURE TO WRITE the return time on the white board. The big
cypress tree is a good place to meet at the end of the walk as long as it is not rainy or windy;
near the bookstore is appropriate if its stormy; the library terrace garden is not a good place
for children to play at the conclusion of a walk. Please keep track of time on the walk and make
sincere efforts to meet back at the agreed upon time (even if the teacher is in favor of staying
longer).
6. Teachers appreciate it when each group returns with a folder from their explorations, as they
use them in follow-up work in the classroom. Please take the time to assemble a folder with your
group. It doesnt need to be elaborate, but found objects, samples, words and pictures recorded
in the folder help children remember their visit and share it with others.

7. Please plan to stay with your group until all the groups have returned. One guide should give
the teacher an evaluation form either before or after the walk (it may be filled out on the spot or
mailed or faxed to the office).
8. Fill out the blue report book together and mark the class tally. If more than one class, each class
should have a separate entry.
9. We recommend that classes eat lunch in the Exhibition Garden behind the bookstore. There are
several good areas to sit, as well as trash cans nearby. If the group wishes to play active games,
please direct them to have their lunch at the playing fields across the street.
Walk Cancellation Policy
The Youth Education Department will cancel a walk if safety is involved extremely high winds and
heavy rain, for example. If the weather is questionable, the teacher is to contact us by 8 a.m. and a
decision is made about whether the class will come or not. Many factors are considered here, e.g. how
far away the class is, the forecast, how heavy the rain is, how well equipped the students are, which
walk it is, etc. Classes come expecting a walk outside in the Garden. In case of sudden rain during the
walk, staff will help move groups indoors to rooms that may be available and/or the Library.
When a walk is canceled, staff will make every effort to contact guides as early as possible (usually
between 8 and 8:30 a.m.). Unfortunately in spite of all efforts, occasionally guides show up to give a
walk that does not go ahead. If a walk is canceled that you showed up for or planned to do, you may
still give yourself credit in the book towards your walk commitment. Its also helpful for our statistical
records if you fill out the walk report as canceled in the book.
Guide Replacement Policy
If you find that you are unable to do a walk that you are scheduled for, YOU must find a replacement
before the walk. You have a Childrens Support Committee assigned who can assist you with this. Do
not assume that it will be okay if there is one less guide on a school walk, and do not call the office
unless it is absolutely impossible for you to find a replacement. If you are suddenly ill or have an
emergency, please let us know as soon as possible.