4th Grade Teachers - Visit the Fourth Grade House and Garden Tour Page

Filoli Explorers Program for Kids 8-11 Year of Age

Nature Hikes for Elementary School Classes

Since 1984 Filoli has invited the public to share our trails through a program of docent-led interpretive hikes. Surrounded by the protected watershed lands of the San Francisco peninsula, Filoli's woodlands shelter an abundance of native plant and animal species. Over 3,000 Bay Area students joined us last year for an unforgettable experience in sharing nature. 

Filoli Nature Education hikes for students are designed for school children, grades 2-6. A modified hike can be arranged for younger children. We hope to help children discover and enjoy the outdoor environment, encouraging respect for and appreciation of the natural world.

Guided by our experienced docents, your classes will explore a variety of biotic communities. These may include redwood, oak woodland and chaparral, as well as riparian and grassland areas. The Nature Center museum contains exhibits pertaining to the geology and natural history of the area as well as historical items dating to the era of Ohlone habitation at Filoli.

Classroom Preview

If requested in advance, a docent can visit your classroom to present a 45 minutes slide show and answer any questions your students might have about the hike.

As an alternative, our 20 minutes video, A Filoli Nature Hike, can be sent to your school.

Hike Information

Hikes are conducted Monday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. from mid-February to the end of July and mid-September to the first week in November. There is a $50 fee per class. 

Hikes usually last over 2 hours and will cover a distance of up to 3 miles. Students are led in groups of 5-9 with a docent and another adult chaperone. Hikers should be in good health and should wear comfortable walking shoes. There are no picnic facilities at Filoli. Your hike confirmation materials will include a list of nearby picnic areas.

Nature hikes are most popular during the months of March to June. We encourage teachers to reserve promptly to avoid disappointment and suggest you consider a visit in February, September or October.

For Hike Reservations

Call the Tour Office, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at

(650) 364-8300 ex. 507

http://www.filoli.org/education.html#walks

Filoli Explorers Program  - A new program for kids  

The Filoli Nature Preserve becomes a classroom for kids, ages 8-11, on selected Saturday mornings beginning July 25 with the premiere of the new Filoli Explorers Program - a Saturday morning program that introduces kids to the world of nature.