School Tours

Bringing Farm Life to Life for Students

For over 30 years, Center Grove Orchard has been welcoming students to experience the magic of farm life firsthand. Our self-guided school tours offer preschool and elementary students the chance to explore, discover, and learn about agriculture in a hands-on, engaging environment.

From watching farm animals up close to seeing how apples grow, students will gain a deeper appreciation for where their food comes from. They’ll experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the farm while learning about the changing seasons, life cycles, and the importance of agriculture—all while having fun in the great outdoors.

While our tours are now self-guided, the adventure is yours to create. Whether it's a walk through the apple orchard or time spent interacting with farm animals, every visit offers a memorable, educational, and exciting experience.

Let’s spark curiosity, cultivate learning, and harvest the moments that matter—one school tour at a time!

FALL SCHOOL TOURS

  • Enjoy the Farmyard Activities

    • Nearly all farm activities will be open and functioning: Corn Pool, Jumping Pillows, Combine Slide, Hay Bale Maze, and more!

    • Weather-related closures of select activities are possible.

  • Choose your own adventure

    School Tours are completely self-guided. Activities are divided into three categories:

    • Self-Guided Learning Stations: Use your five senses to discover life on the farm.

    • Self-Guided Fun Stations: Explore and play with activities like the Jumping Pillows, Super Slide, Corn Pool, Honey Beeline, CGO Express, and Hayride.

    • Tour Talk: Time-specific stations led by Center Grove Orchard staff at the Apple Orchard, Pumpkin Patch, and Barn Shows.

  • Who are School Tours designed for?

    • Ideal for preschool through second grade students.

    • Available for certified daycares, preschools, public/private schools, and homeschool groups.

    • Homeschool families must provide one of the following:

    - Affidavit from the school district

    - Evaluator's report from the Fall

    - Cyberschool documentation

  • Additional Information

    • Season Passes do not include School Tour admission.

    • Apple Tours allow each student to pick three apples.

    • Pumpkin Tours include a small pumpkin or gourd for each guest.

    • Picnic tables are available for lunch.

    • Lunch can be purchased at open food venues (dates and times vary).

    • The Country Store will be open for additional purchases.

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Fall Tour Options

Apple Tours - September 12th - October 10th
Pumpkin Tours - October 15th - 31st


School Tour Fees:

Students, Parents, Siblings: $9.95
Teachers & Aides: FREE

Book your spot for FREE starting August 1st. Payment is due upon arrival for your tour.

Questions? Email School Tours to inquire.

Email School Tours

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Apple Tours

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 

Apple Tours include Center Grove Orchard lead lessons in the Apple Orchard along with the opportunity to pick apples in the Orchard! Book your trip anytime between 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

  • Apple Tours: September 12 – October 10
    Every Wednesday, Thursday & Friday


Please review FAQs below before booking

Apple Tour Registration
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Pumpkin Tours

MID-OCTOBER

Pumpkin Tours include the opportunity to explore the Pumpkin Patch. Each student will receive a small pumpkin or gourd to take home! Book your trip anytime between 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

  • Pumpkin Tours: October 15 – October 31
    Every Wednesday, Thursday & Friday


Please review FAQs below before booking

Pumpkin Tour Registration
Pricing & Payments
  • Fee per Student: $9.95
  • Teachers and Aides: No charge
  • Additional Parents or Siblings: $9.95
  • Payment is due when you check in for your tour.
  • We prefer one form of payment per group.  
  • We accept: cash, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, business checks, and purchase orders.
  • Admission discounts and Season Passes do not apply to School Tours.
FAQS

Do you have any questions?

How does a self-guided tour work?
After booking your tour type, date, and time, please arrive at our farm at the time you chose. Once your group has completed check in (where we'll take a headcount and full payment), you are off to explore the areas of the farm. If you want to learn from one of our tour talks in the Apple Orchard / Pumpkin Patch or Barn Show, you must take your group to that area of the farm at those times. Barn Shows are at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM. Tour Talks in the Apple Orchard / Pumpkin Patch start at 10 AM and occur every 30 minutes until 2 PM. We have designated a few areas called “Learning Stations” where groups can stop to think and talk about the five senses.
Which activities are open for School Tours?
Nearly all the activities on the farm will be open and functioning—Corn Pool, Jumping Pillows, Combine Slide, Hay Bale Maze, and more! Weather-related closures are possible.
Does anything cost extra?
Optional purchase of food, drinks, or products in our store will cost extra. Activities such as the CGO Express train ride are included in the price of a School Tour.
How do I book a School Tour?
You're in the right place! Scroll up just a bit and click either the "Book Apple Tour" or "Book Pumpkin Tour" button. Then select your date and arrival time. Enter the correct quantity (see FAQ below for guidance). Finally, enter your contact information and then be sure to click the Confirm button to submit your reservation.
Which form of payments are accepted for School Tours?
We accept cash, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, business checks, and purchase orders. Personal checks are not accepted. Admission discounts, Farm'all Passes, and Season Passes do not apply to School Tours.
Does the Tour only last 30 minutes?
No. Limitations of our booking system show a duration of 30 minutes; we apologize for any confusion. The reservation time that shows is the window during which you should check in. Likewise, tours are not "Free" as appears in the booking system. Payment is due when you check in for your tour.
What do I enter for quantity?
We allow 3 groups during each time frame. Reservations are done by group and not individual. 

• If you have a group of 40 or fewer attendees, please book 1 spot.
• If you have 41-90 attendees, please book 2 spots.
• If you have 91+ attendees, please email schooltours@centergroveorchard.com to make special arrangements.

These spots can be the same time frames.  This allows the checkin process to go smoothly.