Complete nighttime walking tours and activities, sleepover glamping-style in the Rose Garden Hall ballroom, then enjoy an early bird walk and a light breakfast before the Garden opens the next morning. Restricted to children ages 8+ with chaperone attendance. All attending adults and children are required to have registered tickets. Moderate walking required – program includes approximately 2 miles of walking through the Garden split between two guided tours.
Price for NBG Members: $70/person.
Price for Not-yet Members: $85/person (price includes program ticket and NBG admission for the following day).
All participating children ages 8+ and attending adults must have a paid, pre-registered ticket for the program. Children under ages 8 and additional adults are not permitted.
- Tickets: Tickets are strictly reserved for children ages 8+ and their attending adult chaperones. All attendants must have a registered (paid ticket). Drop-offs are not permitted.
- Parking: Guests are advised to park in the front of the Rose Garden Hall entrance and enter through the labeled doors. The other entry ways will not be accessible. Late arrivals/check-in is not permitted.
- Chaperones: Adult chaperones are responsible for their child’s behavior. Guests who do not adhere to the NBG etiquette policy and procedures will be asked to leave.
- Break/Snacks: A short break will be offered in the evening – it as the discretion of the attending guests to bring their own snacks. Snacks will not be provided. Refrigeration or heating access is not available.
- Attire: Guests are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing for all outdoor components of the event. Guests will walk approximately 2 miles between the two outdoor excursions. Guests are additional advised to bring appropriate sleep attire and indoor shoes/slippers.
- Next Day Admission: Guest tickets include NBG admission for the following date (Saturday, September 26). The program ends at 9AM when the Garden opens to the public.
Garden Family Overnight attendants are responsible for bringing any/all items necessary for an extended, overnight visit to NBG. We advise guests pack the following:
- Sleepwear. Guests will be sleeping indoors in the Rose Garden Hall ballroom. This is a climate-controlled space but can become chilly at night, so layers are recommended. Appropriate sleepwear is required.
- Sleeping bags or sleeping mats (no more than 32×78 inches). Single cots and full-size air mattresses are permitted; however, outlet access in Rose Garden Hall is limited.
- Pillows and blankets.
- Sleeping Mask and/or Ear Plugs. Guests will be sleeping in a single, large room. Ambient music or sounds are not permitted.
- Comfortable Shoes or Slippers. Shoes are required when guests are not in sleeping bags. It is not advised guests walk around the building barefoot or in socks due to slipping hazards.
- Change of Clothes. Dressing appropriately for the weather and comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. A large portion of the evening and early morning will take place outside.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste. Sinks are available in the Rose Garden Hall bathrooms.
- Water bottle. There is a water bottle refill station in the Rose Garden Hall foyer.
- Flashlights. Portions of the evening guided tour will take place outside. Guests are advised to bring flashlights – only adults are permitted to use the flashlights.
- Portable Power Source or Charging Pack. Electrical outlets are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. If a power source is necessary, such as for use of a CPAP machine, please inform staff prior to the event. A portable charging unit is recommended for smaller devices, such as cell phones.
NOTE: Privacy in the sleeping area will be minimal. Guests will share the bathrooms in the Rose Garden Hall foyer. Showers are not available for use.
- Event: 6PM-9AM.
- Arrival and Check-In: Check-in will take place at 6PM at Rose Garden Hall. Once checked in, guests will be permitted to set-up their “section” in the Rose Garden Hall ballroom. Late arrivals/check-ins are not permitted.
- Activity Schedule: Evening program activities will begin at 6:30PM and conclude at 10:30PM.
- Lights Out: Lights Out will be strictly enforced at 11PM.
- Wake-Up Call: The wake-up call is a 7AM.
- Departure: All guests must have their belongings packed up and out of the Rose Garden Hall ballroom by 8AM – items are required to be stored in a vehicle by this time.
- Breakfast: A light, continent-style breakfast will be provided the following morning at 8AM. Guests will any dietary restrictions or allergies are advised to reach out to NBG staff prior to the event to discuss alternatives.
- Bird Walk: A short early morning bird walk & talk will take place at 8:30AM. Binoculars will be available for use.
- Break/Snacks: A short break will be offered in the evening – it as the discretion of the attending guests to bring their own snacks. Snacks will not be provided. Refrigeration or heating access is not available.
- Breakfast: A light, continent-style breakfast will be provided the following morning at 8AM. Guests will any dietary restrictions or allergies are advised to reach out to NBG staff no later than 3 weeks before the event to discuss alternatives.
Below are some frequently asked questions for the Garden Family Overnight. If you have additional questions regarding the program, call the Youth Education Department at (757) 441-5830 ext.463 or email youthed@nbgs.org.
- What is the timeframe of the program? The event begins at 6PM on Friday, September 25 and goes to 9AM on Saturday, June 26.
- Is there an age restriction? The program is strictly reserved for children ages 8+ and their attending chaperones.
- Where do I park? Guests should plan to park in the spots closest to the Rose Garden Hall ballroom. Parking is free.
- What is the refund policy? Cancellations 5 or more business days prior to the program start date: Refund, less 20% processing fee (minimum $5). Cancellations 1-4 business days prior to the program start date: No Refund. Programs canceled by the Garden due to low enrollment or inclement weather conditions will be refunded in full. In the case of cancellations due to inclement weather, all registered guests will be contacted by phone or email. All programs will be held rain or shine unless notified otherwise.
- Where do we sleep? Guests will sleep indoors in the Rose Garden Hall ballroom.
- Where can I charge my phone? A few outlets will be available in Rose Garden Hall on first come, first served basis. Guests are advised to bring their own portable charging packs.
- Is food provided? Are there any dietary restrictions? Guests are responsible for bringing their own snacks. A light, continental-style breakfast will be provided the morning of the event. If there are dietary restrictions or allergy concerns, guests are required to contact the Youth Education Department 3 weeks before the event.
- Can we explore on our own? No. Guests are not permitted to explore any areas of the Garden without a staff person during the program. Guests are welcome to explore the campus the following morning when the Garden opens to the public at 9AM.
- Can we leave the Garden early? No. Security will be onsite in the event emergency response is required, but all guests will be required to stay on the property for the duration of the program.
- Can we take pictures? Yes! Guests are advised against using flash at night during the walking tour.
- Will we have access to the new conservatories? No. This program does not include a tour of the Arid or Tropical Conservatories. Keep an eye out for future programs that include these locations!
- Will we have Gift Shop access? Guests will have access to the Gift Shop at the end of the event the following morning. The Gift Shop will open at 9AM when the Garden opens to public.
- Where do I store my items after the program ends? All items must be removed from Rose Garden Hall and stored in a vehicle no later than 8AM the morning after the event. Norfolk Botanical Garden is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
