Q. Can I book a school visit over the phone?
Q. How do I book a program?
Q. I sent in my booking request, what happens now?
Q. Is there a fee for parking?
Q. Can we stay for a while after lunch?
Q. How long are the programs?
Q. Do you have a gift shop?
Q. Is there a place to buy food?
Q. Is the facility wheelchair accessible?
Q. Do programs still run if it’s raining or snowing?
Q. What if we have to cancel?
Q. Are the mosquitoes/ticks bad?
Q. How many chaperones are allowed?
Q. Are there washroom facilities at Rock Chapel/Princess Point?
Q. Is there a place we can eat lunch?
Q. Where can I find more information about the programs?
Q. Can we do a custom program?
Q. Can we visit the Fishway for a public lift?
Q. Is there public transit available?
Q. When can I expect my confirmation package?
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
Q. What if we come with fewer students than booked?

 

Q. Can I book a school visit over the phone?

A. If you are having difficulty using our online registration form or would like to book multiple and/or custom programs, call 905-527-7962 for assistance. Learn more about booking your visit.

 

Q. How do I book a program?

A. To book your program, please fill out and submit our online booking request form. You may also send us an email at or call us at 905-527-7962.

 

Q. I sent in my booking request, what happens now?

A. Immediately after you submit your application, you will see a confirmation of receipt of your form when you hit the submit button. If not, please look for highlighted errors on the form. A booking confirmation is sent via e-mail from within two business days of receiving your reservation request. Please share its contents with all participating teachers/leaders. We also follow-up by phone to discuss your program details.

Please confirm number of students TWO WEEKS prior to your visit by phone or email. Payment is due upon arrival based on the CONFIRMED number of participants (cash/cheque/debit/VISA/MasterCard/AmEx).

 

Q. Is there a fee for parking?

A. There is no charge for school busses at the Arboretum or at RBG Centre. Private vehicles at all sites other than RBG Centre must either display their members’ parking pass or purchase a ticket from the machine. The parking fee is $1/hour, and the machine accepts coins only.

 

Q. Can we stay for a while after lunch?

A. We allow up to an hour for lunch breaks. If you wish to stay longer after a guided program, please book your trip as a semi-guided program. We will provide a scavenger hunt, trail maps and seed for feeding the wild birds and chipmunks.

 

Q. How long are the programs?

A. Half-day programs are two hours, Full-day programs are four hours, and Early Education programs are one and a half hours. We can adjust times to allow for snack or early departure; please advise at the time of booking.

 

Q. Do you have a gift shop?

A. We do not recommend that students bring money for safety and timing reasons. There is a gift shop available at RBG Centre only.

 

Q. Is there a place to buy food?

A. Students and chaperones should bring snacks and lunches with them if you plan to eat on site. There is no food available at the Nature Centre. We may offer meals for special events such as our Senior Student Symposium.

 

Q. Is the facility wheelchair accessible?

A. Both RBG Centre and the Nature Centre are partially accessible. Our trails are rugged and partially accessible. Please advise us in advance if you have students or chaperones using wheelchairs so that we may accommodate appropriately. We recommend the use of all-terrain wheelchairs or wide tires if possible.

 

Q. Do programs still run if it’s raining or snowing?

A. Our programs run rain, snow or shine, so please dress for the weather. In case of thunder or lightning, many of our programs can be adapted to indoors. If you have booked a program which cannot be adapted, such as canoeing or geocaching, please call in advance to rebook if the weather is threatening.

 

Q. What if we have to cancel?

A. If you must cancel, please give us as much notice as possible – at least thirty days prior to your booked trip date to avoid cancellation fees. Should you need to reschedule due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, please let us know in advance. Confirmed trips that are no shows on the day of arrival will be charged the full price as booked.

 

Q. Are the mosquitoes/ticks bad?

A. We do have insects on our property that may bite or sting, although occurrences are rare. Proper precautions such as staying on the trails and wearing light-coloured clothing are recommended. Should you wish to apply bug spray, please do so outside and well away from any entrances.

 

Q. How many chaperones are allowed?

A. There is no charge for chaperones, and no limit to the number you may bring. We recommend you follow the recommendations of your school board for required ratios of chaperones to students.

 

Q. Are there washroom facilities at Rock Chapel/Princess Point?

A. There are no facilities at Rock Chapel or Princess Point. There is a seasonal outhouse near the Fishway.

 

Q. Is there a place we can eat lunch?

A. We have picnic tables available outdoors at the Nature Centre. Should you wish to stay for lunch, please advise us at the time of booking. Classroom space may be available indoors if booked in advance.

 

Q. Where can I find more information about the programs?

A. Please refer to our School Programs brochure, which can be found on our website at www.rbg.ca.

 

Q. Can we do a custom program?

A. We can do custom programs. Please contact us to work out the details of your request.

 

Q. Can we visit the Fishway for a public lift?

A. If you wish to visit the Fishway, we recommend booking in advance as a guided tour. This will ensure the best possible experience for your students. Public lifts do not cover the same curriculum expectations as a guided school program. If you choose to show up for a public lift, please be advised that lift times may change or be cancelled without notice depending on weather, fish and staff conditions.

 

Q. Is there public transit available?

A. Burlington Transit has busses running with stops near RBG Centre, and the HSR has stops near Princess Point. Please check with transit companies for schedule information. Please note that there is no public transit available to the Nature Centre, and no sidewalk access along Old Guelph Road.

 

Q. When can I expect my confirmation package?

A. We are in process of changing our booking system and confirmation packages. You will receive a booking confirmation within two business days of sending your reservation request. Generally you should expect to receive your full confirmation package four to six weeks before your trip date.

 

Q. What forms of payment do you accept?

A. We accept cash, cheque, debit, MasterCard, VISA or American Express. Payment is due upon arrival based on the CONFIRMED number of participants. Please contact us directly at 905-527-7962 if you cannot meet these payment terms to discuss alternatives.

 

Q. What if we come with fewer students than booked?

A. Please confirm your number of students two weeks prior to your visit by phone or email. Payment is due upon arrival based on the confirmed number of participants. For tracking purposes, we will need to know the actual number of students and the number of chaperones on the day of the trip.