Chicago Botanic Garden

Education — Horticultural Therapy Services

Horticultural Therapy Services Study Tour

Download Study Tour Application (PDF)

 

Since 1977, the Chicago Botanic Garden's Horticultural Therapy Services program has assisted hundreds of health and human service agencies in establishing and sustaining horticultural therapy programs. These programs are designed to advance individual and group treatment plans or to engage people with disabilities and older adults in safe, comfortable gardening experiences adapted to varied abilities and interests. It was a public garden pioneer in developing and demonstrating enabling garden structures and techniques. As a teaching garden it is committed to spreading the word about enabling gardens; what makes them enabling, who can use them, and how they can improve the quality of life of older adults and people with disabilities.

Over 20 years of service to people of all ages and abilities has positioned the Chicago Botanic Garden as the premier regional source for services, training, and resources in horticultural therapy and barrier-free gardening. Through its study tour the garden provides the participant with a personal experience with its horticultural therapists and a packet of valuable resources including samples of activity plans, marketing pieces, and supply resources. This unique opportunity to experience the diverse services of the Horticultural Therapy Department has two tour components.

Offsite Component

The off-site contract services incorporate horticultural programs into overall treatment plans and uses the therapeutic benefits of working with plants indoors and out to restore the physical and mental health of its participants. Planting, weeding, cultivating, watering and harvesting a garden, as well as a variety of indoor horticulture and natural craft-related activities, are included in the program. We supply all materials necessary for weekly activity sessions that are therapeutically grounded and adaptable to a wide range of functional and cognitive abilities. The off-site tour will take the individual/group to Chicago area schools, health care and social service agencies where horticultural therapy is utilized. The off-site component of the study tour will allow the participant to observe horticultural therapy sessions and learn the essentials of contract programming management. Specific activities include the following:

  • History of Horticultural Therapy Contract Services at the Chicago Botanic Garden
  • Discussion of Garden resources for Horticultural Therapy Programs
    • Publications
    • Accredited professional education opportunities
  • Tour/observation of ongoing Horticultural Therapy Contract Services
  • Time for questions and impressions

Onsite Component

The Buehler Enabling Garden, opened in July 1999, is a premier exhibit of garden design, tools, techniques and plant materials that enable anyone of any ability to garden. Guided by universal design principles, its architecture, plant displays, and interpretive program illustrate how a public garden can be inclusive in reaching out to the public to educate them about accessible gardening and horticultural therapy. The onsite component of the study tour will allow the participant to observe and experience components of the visitor program and management of the horticultural displays. Specific activities include the following:

  • Guided tour of the Enabling Garden
  • Discussion of interpretive program
  • Discussion of adaptive tools
  • Discussion of how the garden is used programmatically
  • Audio-descript tour of Garden
  • Observation of Volunteers or HT session
  • Participation in routine maintenance activities

Policies and Procedures

Availability
The study tour requires completion of an application, submission of a resume, and brief telephone interview two months prior to your visit. Both components of the tour are offered May-October. The offsite component is also offered alone October-April.

Session Length
The study tour can be scheduled for a minimum of one eight-hour or a maximum of two eight-hour days. Typically, daily hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but expect possible variations due to program schedule demands.

Fees
The cost of the study is $125 U.S. dollars per person per day. The fee must be paid in advance or on the day of the tour. Participants are responsible for the cost of lodging, transportation to and from the Garden, and meals.

Confidentiality Restrictions
In compliance with consumer rights and horticultural therapy code of ethics, study tour participants will be restricted from taking photographs, videos, or audiotapes of people who are being served in horticultural therapy sessions. Photographs of garden sites and volunteers are allowed. Unless indicated otherwise by Garden staff, study tour participants will be limited to observation only of horticultural therapy sessions.

Dress Code
Participants must be prepared to participate in activities. This requires wearing clean, casual work clothes, and closed toed shoes. No sandals are allowed. The participants must wear Garden-issued nametag.

Lodging/Transportation/Meals
Individuals are solely responsible for arranging lodging, transportation and meals while participating in the program. The Garden does have a café that offers a variety of food, including breakfast items, soups, sandwiches, and hot dishes. Two hotels are within walking distance of the garden. Names and telephone numbers are provided, but you are responsible for making arrangements should you choose to lodge at one.

Sheraton North Shore Hotel • (847) 498-6500
Courtyard by Marriott Highland Park • (847) 831-3338