Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the predicted weather and outdoor activities. Apply sunscreen and bug spray if needed. Whenever possible, programs are held outdoors, rain or shine.

If a student in your group has a severe allergy, please notify Fernwood staff on or before the date of your field trip. If medication/an EpiPen is needed, please make sure that an adult from your group has authorization to carry and administer that medication.

After field trip programming is complete, school groups are welcome to explore Fernwood’s grounds and enjoy a picnic-style lunch on The Green or South Vista, located just outside the Visitors Center. Sack lunches and picnic blankets may be stowed in the Visitors Center while programming is in progress. Please remember to remove all trash and recyclables before leaving the outdoor lunch areas.

Field trip groups are welcome to order food from Fernwood's cafe. Please call ahead to place your orders: (574)334-9653. 

To enter the garden, ramps are available on the north and south sides of the Visitors Center and a small elevator may be used to access the three levels of the building. If a wheelchair or stroller is not needed, it may be stowed in the coatrack area of the Visitors Center, across from the restrooms. Fernwood’s major gardens and structures are connected by paved paths, while nature trails consist of natural dirt or wood chips. Not all natural paths may be appropriate for wheelchairs and strollers. A limited number of golf carts are available for staff to transport visitors that need special assistance getting to and from locations on the property.