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TRAFFIC DISRUPTION MARCH 24: the Around the Bay Race route will result in closed lanes along Plains Road W. and York Boulevard. Expect traffic delays and plan accordingly. Details at bayrace.com

Courses & Workshops

Let your mind grow at the Gardens!

RBG offers courses and workshops in Burlington & Hamilton for families, kids and adults in the areas of gardening, nature, botanical arts and wellness.

From award-winning children’s clubs to our popular children’s gardening programs and special seasonal workshops, kids of all ages grow with us.

Upcoming Courses & Workshops

  • Caspian Tern Flying Cootes Paradise Credit Markzelinski.com
  • Person using binoculars to birdwatch in the forest
  • Hands holding small garden pots with seedlings
  • group of five hikers on a gravel trail gazing up into the trees
  • Planting small seeds in row

Register for Programs

All courses and programs require pre-registration online, or with the program booking clerk. Browse through the courses above and click for more information, and for the appropriate registration link, or browse all upcoming Courses and Workshops registration links at the button below!

Pre-registration is required for all programs, ideally by the date provided to allow the program organizers to best prepare. If the indicated “register by” date has passed, you may still be able to register for the program, provided there is space still available.

If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact us!

Member Discount

RBG Members receive 10% off most RBG Experiences programming when logged into your member account.

If you’re a member, do NOT create a new account; instead activate your member account by using “forgot password” option using the email address connected to your membership.

Waitlist

Many of our programs can sell quite quickly; did you miss out on a program you’re interested in? Join the waitlist using the link below.

NOTE: you will need the name and date of the program you’re interested in to complete this form.

Public Education Participant Behaviour Agreement

By enrolling in and participating in RBG educational public programs participants agree to the statements outlined in Royal Botanical Gardens’ public education participant behaviour agreement found here.

Download PDF

Become a Green Angel

RBG is committed to giving every child, regardless of their financial situation, an opportunity to fall in love with nature. Become a Green Angel to a child in need today!

Green Angels

Courses & Workshops Policies & FAQ

Have a question about RBG’s courses and workshops? Click the topics below to learn more! Have a question about a specific program? Give us a call at 905-527-1158 or send us an email using the Contact Us form.

Health and Safety Protocols

Royal Botanical Gardens understands and respects the rights of all staff, volunteers, and program participants to be protected from infectious diseases.  Royal Botanical Gardens follows the public health and workplace safety measures and regulations as indicated by local public health units, local municipalities, and the Province of Ontario. As such, program participants are mandatorily required to adhere to the processes and policies that are put in place to mitigate effects of infectious diseases.  Such processes and policies include, but are not limited to: face coverings, daily medical screening, and social distancing.  Royal Botanical Gardens will make aware all program participants of required actions and measures in a reasonable amount of time before the start of a program and with a reasonable amount of time if and as regulations change within a program’s run time.  It is the right of Royal Botanical Gardens to restrict the access to or remove from its programs and properties to any individual who does not adhere to such processes and policies.

We are vigilant in our concern for the health and safety of all participants. Participants are required to wash their hands frequently. If you are not feeling well please stay home.

COVID assessment form: We will be asking participants to complete a self-assessment form prior to the start of their program. If participants fail the screening for any reason, they are asked to stay home and notify RBG.

Up-to-date health and safety guidelines: Our staff will comply with all organization, municipal, and provincial health guidelines, and will update guidelines as needed. Royal Botanical Gardens will make aware all program participants of required actions and measures in a reasonable amount of time before the start of a program if and as regulations change within a program’s run time.

How do I register for a course or program?

Advance enrollment is required for all events with a registration fee. All program listed prices are subject to applicable taxes and fees. Full payment must accompany each registration. Participants may register online, in person or by telephone.

Register online at: www.rbg.ca/publicprograms

To register by phone, please call 905-527-1158, ext. 270 (open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Telephone registrations require payment by VISA or MasterCard.

If you have questions about the online registration process, please contact us!

RBG reserves the right to cancel any event if the minimum number of registrants is not reached by registration deadline. Registrations may be accepted after the registration deadline provided the minimum registration number has already been reached.

Is there a membership discount?

RBG member discounts are application provided that registrations are received on or before the registration deadline and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. The family membership category enables children to become active participants in all RBG family programs. Please visit RBG Members for membership information, or call 905-527-1157, ext. 514.

Can I still register if the "pre-register by" date has passed?

The pre-registration dates (indicated in the individual program descriptions) is the date we ask you try to register by to allow the program organizers to best prepare.

If the indicated “register by” date has passed, you may still be able to register for the program provided there is space still available. A hard cut-off date will be in effect (usually 48+ hours before program start, depending on the program). To check if you’re still able to register, click the “register now” button on the program page to see the corresponding Eventbrite page.

What is the course cancellation policy?

Up to ten days prior to a program start date or the indicated program registration deadline, all cancellations by registrants are subject to a 25% cancellation fee if a refund for that program/course/event is applicable. Check specific program descriptions for refund-excluded programs. No refunds of any kind are made after the registration deadline.

Should RBG cancel a program, registrants are notified by phone or email, and refunds issued. It is vital that you supply phone numbers where we can reach you both daytime and in the evening or on weekends, directly or by recorded message. We do not accept responsibility for inconvenience caused to those we cannot contact, whatever the reason.

Where can I park?

Paid parking is not required at RBG Centre or Rock Garden. Pay and Display parking ($3 to $5 per hour) is in effect at all trail heads as well as Laking Garden and the Arboretum when garden kiosks are not in operation during peak bloom times. RBG members park for free at all properties by displaying their members’ parking pass in their vehicle.

If your course, program, or workshop takes place at the Arboretum, a parking pass will be emailed to you prior to the start of your program.

What happens in cases of inclement weather?

Most of our programs are offered rain or shine. In the event of severe weather some courses, especially outdoor workshops and guided walks, may be postponed or cancelled.

If you are unsure about conditions on the day of your program, please call our Program Update Line at (905) 527-1158 ext. 404. A message will be posted there at least two hours before the program is due to start. It is your responsibility to verify that your program is being offered; though we try, we are not always able to reach participants.

What is the liability policy?

Royal Botanical Gardens assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to property, or for personal injury or mishap; all activities are at the risk of the participant. RBG reserves the right to change/cancel events should circumstances beyond our control arise.

Contact Us

Have a question about one of our courses and workshops? Contact us at 905-527-1158 or use the form below.