Options:
Guided: Engage students with Tennessee State Standards aligned activities led by Cheekwood Educators.
Self-Guided: Experience Cheekwood at your own pace using self-directed materials.
Homeschool Mornings: Drop-in style activities learn more
When:
Tuesday – Friday, 1 – 5 PM
Group Size:
Minimum: 15*
Maximum: 70
*In order to qualify for a guided field trip, you must have 15 students that fall in the selected field trip grade range. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, consider our Homeschool Mornings programming.
Scheduling:
Guided: Must schedule trips at least four weeks in advance.
Self-Guided: Must schedule at least two weeks in advance.
Cost:
| Students & Teachers (one adult per family) | Additional Chaperones (discounted school-group rate)* | Additional Chaperones (day-of ticket) | |
| Homeschool Groups | Free | $16 per person | $22 per person |
*This discounted rate is only available to groups who are making a single payment for the total cost of the chaperone tickets. This payment can be made over the phone with a credit card before the field trip, or a single check day-of the field trip.
Weather Policy:
Field trips are weather permitting. Education staff will be in touch at least 24 hours before a scheduled trip if a change is necessary. Field trips will be rescheduled as space permits. For weather concerns or cancellations, please email [email protected].
View the options below before submitting a School Tour Request.
Guided School Field Trips Options
Learn all about trees in Cheekwood’s Howe Garden and Carell Dogwood Trail. Explore the parts of trees, trees as
homes to animals and insects, and how trees change through the seasons.
Program Length: 45 minutes
Selected Standards: PK.ESS3.01a. ; PK.LS1.01 a.
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Students will learn all about plant parts and their function while exploring the garden.
Program Length: 45 minutes
Selected Standards: K.ETS2 ; 1.LS1
Learn about traditions, customs, and culture in the Blevins Japanese Garden. Students will learn about traditional Japanese Tea Ceremonies and make their own herbal teas. Students will also compare what they learn to their own cultural practices.
Program Length: 70 minutes
Selected Standards: Culture K.02 ; Culture 1.02 ; Culture 2.02
Discover the pollinators that call Cheekwood home and learn why they are crucial to the garden
ecosystem. Dive into learning about the parts of a plant and the roles they play, and why certain
pollinators prefer specific plants.
Program Length: 60 minutes
Selected Standards: 2.LS1, 2.LS2, 3.LS1, 3.LS4, 4.LS2
Explore Cheekwood’s Arboretum collection while learning about the Emerald Ash Borer, a forest ecosystem and its food web, along with how trees communicate with one another.
Program Length: 70 minutes
Selected Standards: 4.LS2 ; 6.LS2 ; 6.ESS3
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This field trip explores economic and societal shifts that occurred during the 1920s – 1940s by encouraging students to visually analyze the art, architecture, and technology of the historic Cheekwood estate.
Program Length: 70 minutes
Selected Standards: US.31, US.34
Self-Guided School Field Trip Options
Explore the seasonal displays throughout the year! From Cheekwood in Bloom in the spring, to Harvest in the fall, this self-directed option encourages students and teachers to move through Cheekwood at their own pace.
Discover the pollinators that call Cheekwood home and learn why they are crucial to the garden
ecosystem. Dive into learning about the parts of a plant and the roles they play, and why certain
pollinators prefer specific plants.
Selected Standards: K.LS1; 1.LS1; 2.LS1 ; 3.LS1 ; 4.LS2
Have you ever wondered what animals call Cheekwood home? With this self-guided
adventure, students will explore the different animals and their ecosystems, discuss the
important equilibrium between humans and animals, and brainstorm how to maintain this
balance.
Selected Standards: 6.LS2 ; 7.LS1 ; 8.LS4
This self-guided field trip uses a mentor text to demonstrate potential uses of personification and sensory imagery in nature poetry. As students explore the gardens, they consider the real and imagined points of view of the natural objects and elements they observe on their visit before writing a nature poem of their own.
Selected Standards: 6-12.W.TTP.3
Explore the sculptures on the Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail. Students
will learn how art and nature complement one another and start to create their own
sculpture idea for the Carell Trail.
Selected Standards: HS1.VA.Cr1.A ; HS2.VA.R1.A ; HS3.VA.Cr1.A
Homeschool Mornings
Join us for themed mornings of drop-in style activities, just for homeschool families. Homeschool Mornings provide in-depth and enriching experiences specifically designed for multi-aged audiences. Come for the activities and bring a picnic to enjoy out on the grounds or stop in at Cafe 29 for lunch. Special discounts will be available on memberships at each Homeschool Morning so that families may return often to continue their learning journey at Cheekwood.
Homeschool Mornings are most suited for ages 5-10 but all ages are welcome to join.
Admissions
Tickets for Homeschool Mornings must be purchased in advance and time slots may sell out. All ticketed homeschool guests will be given a wristband at check-in. Only those with wristbands will be permitted to take part in the drop-in activities.
Gardens Only: Access to the gardens including all drop-in activities.
Adults: $15
Youth (3-17): Free
Ages 2 & Under: Free
Gardens and Mansion: Access to both the gardens, including all drop-in activities, and the Historic Cheek Mansion & Museum where docents will be available to answer questions about the historic rooms and galleries.
Adult: $18
Youth (3-17): Free
Ages 2 and Under: Free
Please note that tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable. This event is rain or shine and will move indoors in inclement weather.
Email [email protected] for questions about our Homeschool Mornings experiences.
Orchids
Date: February 4, 2025
Event Hours: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Description:
Welcome to a fascinating and creative homeschool morning centered around the incredible world of orchids! During this homeschool morning, the beauty of orchids will be combined with hands-on art and science activities, offering both educational insights and imaginative expression.
The tickets for this Homeschool Morning are for the gardens and mansion only. This is to encourage visiting the orchid display in the mansion.
Bulbs & Blooms
Date: April 1, 2025
Event Hours: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Description:
This homeschool morning celebrates the beauty and wonder of spring by taking a deep dive into the world of flower bulbs and blooms. Students will learn about the parts of a flower bulb and take a look at how they bloom in the spring. This homeschool morning will be filled with engaging hands-on activities to help children appreciate the magic of nature’s renewal during springtime.
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Standing Tall at Cheekwood Field Trips are made possible by