THE DAWES ARBORETUM

Learn


The Dawes Arboretum has something for everyone! Our Learning and Engagement programs emphasize the importance of enriching lives through the conservation of trees, nature and history. Guests are invited to broaden their perspectives, engage with professional educators, and be inspired by the world around us.

Contact us learning@dawesarb.org for more information


Youth & Families

Camps journey through a variety of ecosystems, observe nature, create outdoor-inspired crafts and cultivate a sense of curiosity and adventure, all while stretching their comfort zones and making new friends. Camp Dawes is The Arboretum’s summer day camp program, where children participate in both structured and self-guided activities under the guidance of trained camp staff. Offerings are for ages 5-14. Camp Dawes hours will be 9am-3pm, Monday through Wednesday and camp costs per child are $150 for Arboretum members and $188 non-members. Click here to learn more and register for Camp Dawes 2024.

Scholarships are available. Click here for the Camp Dawes Scholarship Application

Let the creative educators of the Dawes Arboretum bring your family closer to the wonders of the natural world. Little Buckeyes Imagination Station activities, geared toward children ages 3-8, will give curious youngsters an opportunity to get moving as they observe and create in nature!

  • Friday, June 2: Build a Bird Nest
  • Friday, June 9: Old-Fashioned Entertainment
  • Friday, June 16: Recycled Art
  • Friday, June 23: Pollinator Power
  • Friday, June 30: Garden Jewels
  • Friday, July 7: Good Garden Bites
  • Friday, July 14: Tree Puzzles
  • Friday, July 21: Plant Part Art
  • Friday, July 28: Life Beyond
  • Friday, August 4: Historic Houses
  • Friday, August 11: Birds of All Colors

View all upcoming activities at The Dawes Arboretum.

Explore quality children’s literature in a natural setting! Each session may include outdoor exploration, songs, games and crafts suitable for children ages 3-5 and their caregiver. Visit our calendar to view upcoming sessions.

Come prepared to walk, skip, run and explore as you enjoy a beloved children’s story on a specially designed trail. Visit our popular outdoor environmental literary experience, StoryTrail. Walk the 2023 StoryTrail™ through the woodlands, reading Trees Make Perfect Pets by Paul Czajak. Plan your visit.

The Arboretum is the perfect setting for a scout field trip, whether you choose to work on badge requirements or simply hike along our 12+ miles of trails (1.5 miles of which are accessible). Check our events calendar to find programs tailored to scouts.

Experience nature at The Arboretum in a new way by visiting a pop-up exhibit. Displays highlight various natural phenomena seen during your visit. There is something to learn for everyone from beginners to experts.

Stop by the Visitors Center on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4pm beginning in March 2024!

  • March 16-17 – Amphibians Among Us
  • March 23-24 – Spring is in the Air
  • March 30-31 – Up in the Clouds
  • April 6-7 – Wonderful Wetlands
  • April 13-14 – Spring Ephemerals
  • April 20-21 – Trees Abloom
  • April 27-28 – Morel Mushrooms & More
  • May 4-5 – The Great Spring Songbird Migration
  • May 11-12 – Eggs Abound
  • May 18-19 – Baby Blues and Other Birdhouse Nesters
  • May 25-26 – Nature’s Great Inventions

Supplement your science curriculum with hands-on nature study! Join other home school students, ages six to ten, as we explore nature in a fun, informative and enriching 90-minute program led by Arboretum educators. Visit our calendar to register for upcoming sessions.

Click here to view the 2023-2024 Home School Investigations Schedule.

Educators & Outreach

The Dawes Arboretum welcomes your students to an immersive, life science experience complete with hands-on, standards-based programming led by Arboretum educators. Spark curiosity and encourage a love of nature with field trips and school programs for students in prekindergarten through seventh grade. Click here for the Educator Resources Guide. For more information, email learning@dawesarb.org.

Customize a self-guided trip to explore the beautiful grounds and gardens on your own. When you call to schedule, a staff educator will help plan your experience. On the day of your visit, you will be met by a staff educator to share a brief introduction to The Arboretum. For more information, email learning@dawesarb.org.

The Arboretum’s outreach programs are a great opportunity to bring high-quality, standards-based activities designed to supplement your curriculum and actively engage students to your classroom. Click here for the Educator Resources Guide. For more information, email learning@dawesarb.org.

Supplement your science curriculum with hands-on nature study! Join other home school students, ages six to ten, as we explore nature in a fun, informative and enriching 90-minute program led by Arboretum educators. Visit our calendar to register for upcoming sessions.

The Arboretum’s trained facilitators offer environmental education, professional development workshops for educators and child care providers. Contact us to learn more or schedule customized training for your group. Click here for the Educator Resources Guide. For more information, contact us at learning@dawesarb.org.

Adults & Groups

The Arboretum offers a wide variety of adult classes, lectures and demonstrations in the areas of horticulture, nature and history. These programs are geared toward delivering practical knowledge and inspiring creativity. Topics may include backyard landscaping, conservation, gardening techniques, botanical arts, wildlife, crafting and more.

The Arboretum can bring a variety of these programs to your location or co-create a program for your group. All upcoming programs can be found by visiting our Calendar of Events.

Arboretum experts are available to present a wide variety of plant, gardening, history and nature-related talks and demonstrations to your community group, garden club, or special-interest society. For more information, contact us at learning@dawesarb.org.

Schedule an introductory tour (either on an open-air wagon or on foot) to appreciate our vast tree collections and natural habitats. Tour the exhibits of the History Center and/or the Daweswood House Museum to delve more deeply into the lives of the prominent Dawes family and the early days of the Arboretum.Or hike a trail with a naturalist or horticulturist to immerse your group in the intricacies of our plant and animal life. For more information, contact us at learning@dawesarb.org.

Experience nature at The Arboretum in a new way by visiting a pop-up exhibit. Displays highlight various natural phenomena seen during your visit. There is something to learn for everyone from beginners to experts.

Stop by the Visitors Center on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4pm beginning in March 2024!

  • March 16-17 – Amphibians Among Us
  • March 23-24 – Spring is in the Air
  • March 30-31 – Up in the Clouds
  • April 6-7 – Wonderful Wetlands
  • April 13-14 – Spring Ephemerals
  • April 20-21 – Trees Abloom
  • April 27-28 – Morel Mushrooms & More
  • May 4-5 – The Great Spring Songbird Migration
  • May 11-12 – Eggs Abound
  • May 18-19 – Baby Blues and Other Birdhouse Nesters
  • May 25-26 – Nature’s Great Inventions

Self-Guided Opportunities

Start at the Visitors Center and walk one or more 30-minute trails of your choice:

  • 1-mile round trip to the tranquil Japanese Garden
  • Paved half-mile round trip Parkwoods Trail to see display gardens on the original 140-acre Daweswood property
  • Paved 1-mile round trip Lake Trail Connector through the Deep Woods (walk past the Main Shelter House toward the Log Cabin)

Drive the 4-mile Auto Tour, starting at the roundabout.

The North and South Loops of the Auto Tour give access to nine tree collections. The tour also leads you by the Japanese Garden, the Daweswood House Museum, the History Center, the Dawes Memorial, the Deep Woods, the hedge letters and Dawes Lake.

Segments of the Auto Tour are one-way traffic. Parking is available to stop and explore before continuing. An audio tour narration is available on our website under Arboretum Map.

  • Hike the 2.75-mile Lake Trail to the Observation Tower and back for a bird’s eye view of the famous Dawes Arboretum Hedge Letters and Dawes Lake.
  • See how many Tree Dedicator plaques you can find.
  • Go on an Arboretum Adventure! Use this guide to help you get started!

OR

  • Take a self-guided plant tour. Select from the tours at dawesarb.org → about → sciences → view plants and research → search plants on Arboretum Explorer → tours. 

Please note, restrooms are available at the Visitors Center and near the Main Shelter House.

  • Visit Arboretum East to experience more challenging trails in a rustic landscape.

OR

  • Drive beyond our main grounds to discover additional unique trails, habitats and picnic shelters.
    • Seek wetland creatures and a prairie at the Dutch Fork Wetlands.
    • Find a pine woods, meadows, pond, wetland and stream at the Red Barn Reserve.

OR

  • Check the Events tab at dawesarb.org for more information on joining one of today’s educational programs.

Bring your own picnic lunch. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the grounds. Patios and covered shelters are available for public use unless reserved.

Please note: Trash cans are available on the Visitors Center Deck and at the Main Shelter House. Restrooms are available at the Visitors Center and near the Main Shelter House.

  • Walk and read along the StoryTrail, located in the Woodland Garden.
  • Save time for the Natural Play Area, located along the Parkwoods Trail near the Sundial.

Pets on leashes are permitted on the trails. Please pick up after your pet. Dispose of waste bags in an outdoor trash can or take them with you.