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!
The perfect interactive outing for your class.
During your visit, students will learn through different activities related to agriculture and farm life in our fun, beautiful 200-acre outdoor classroom—with crops, animals, farm equipment, and more!
School Tours
Tour Options
Apple Tours
September
Pumpkin Tours
October
September
Pumpkin Tours
October
School Tour Fees:
Students, Parents, Siblings: $9.95
Teachers & Aides: FREE
Book your spot for FREE today. Payment is due upon arrival for your tour.
Enjoy the Farmyard Activities
- 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 of select activities are possible.
Choose your own adventure
School tours are completely self-guided as classrooms explore on their own without a Center Grove Orchard tour guide. Activities are divided into three categories:
- Self-Guided Learning Stations: Use your five senses in these Learning Stations to discover life on the farm.
- Self-Guided Fun Stations: Activities around the farm that are available for a time of play such as the Jumping Pillows, Super Slide, Corn Pool, Honey Beeline, CGO Express, and Hayride.
- Tour Talk: Stations hosted by Center Grove Orchard staff. These stations are time specific and offered at the Apple Orchard, Pumpkin Patch, and Barn Shows.
➡️ Download an informational brochure HERE ⬅️
Who are School Tours designed for?
- School Tours are designed for pre-school through second grade.
- School Tours are for certified daycares, pre-schools, public / private schools, and home school groups.
- Home school families must provide one of the following to be eligible: affidavit from the school district, evaluator's report from the Fall, or cyberschool documentation.
Additional Information
- Season Passes do not include School Tour admission
- Apple Tours provide the opportunity for each student to pick three apples from the orchard.
- Each member of a Pumpkin Tour will get to pick a small pumpkin or gourd from the Pumpkin Patch.
- Picnic tables are available to enjoy lunch.
- Lunch can be purchased at any of our open food venues (dates and times vary) for an additional charge.
- The Country Store will be open for additional purchases.
We look forward to welcoming your class this year!
Check back here in mid July for complete details. Reservations will open on August 1.
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.
• 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.