Engaging Students Since 1953
Our school programs offer a unique opportunity for teachers to immerse their students in the rich history and captivating beauty of this National Historic Landmark.
From engaging guided tours to hands-on learning experiences, enhance your classroom curriculum and ignite a passion for art, history, and nature in your students.
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Student And Teacher Experiences
Vizcaya Teen Environmental Council
Grow with Purpose. Lead with Impact.
The Vizcaya Teen Environmental Council (VTEC) is a dynamic, teen-led program that empowers high school students to become changemakers in their communities through the lens of urban agriculture, sustainability, and environmental leadership.
As ambassadors of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, VTEC members will:
- Cultivate real-world skills in sustainable farming and food systems
- Design and lead teen-focused experiences that promote environmental awareness
- Engage with the community through hands-on projects and outreach
- Develop leadership and teamwork abilities that extend beyond the garden
Why Join VTEC?
- Hands-on agriculture: Learn how to grow food, care for the land, and understand the power of local, sustainable agriculture.
- Leadership development: Build confidence, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Community impact: Make a difference by promoting food justice and environmental stewardship.
- Earn while you learn: Receive a monthly stipend and earn service hours.
Qualifications
Ready to dig in? Join a community of passionate teens working to transform our food systems, protect the environment, and grow a better future—one seed at a time.
- Be a 10th- or 11th-grade student during the 2026–2027 school year.
- Commit to attending weekly VTEC sessions on Thursdays from 4:30–6:30 p.m.
- Complete the online application by Sunday, September 13, 2026 and attend one (1) informational session (virtual or in-person).
Teens can choose to participate in Semester A, Semester B, or both:
- Semester A: Thursdays, October through the end of November
- Semester B: Thursdays, January through the end of February, with a culminating event on Sunday, February 28, 2027
Learn More About VTEC
Immersive and Engaging Experiences
Tours are guided experiences designed to engage students in learning through inquiry-based, object-based, peer-to-peer discussions, and hands-on activities. Tours for 2nd-12th grade students may be reserved for the Main House and Gardens, are presented in English, and last two hours.
Tour Options
A Day in the Life of Vizcaya 2nd-12th
Visit the Main House and Gardens to understand how Vizcaya was enjoyed and experienced by staff and guests of James Deering. Students will learn about life in 1910s Miami through this interactive tour.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
Visual Vizcaya 2nd-12th
Discover Vizcaya’s collection and artistic traditions through exploration and artmaking. After, students will practice “plein air painting” through a watercolor painting activity in the gardens.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
Environmental Exploration 2nd-12th
Discuss preservation and adaptations while learning about South Florida’s native habitats through this tour of Vizcaya’s natural communities. Students will record their observations of flora and fauna with their own nature sketchbooks.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
Design & Engineering 2nd-5th
Discuss Vizcaya’s unique design and immerse in concepts of architecture, engineering and geometry through hands-on activities and exploration.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
Geography and Exploration 2nd-5th
Learn about Vizcaya’s cultural exchange and discover how South Florida’s geography contributed to the shaping of Vizcaya. Students will become explorers as they participate in a scavenger hunt using maps and compasses.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
School Tour Availability Update
Thank you for your interest in Vizcaya’s school tours. At this time, we are fully booked for the current school year and cannot accommodate additional reservations.
If you would like to be notified should any dates become available, please complete the request form below. We will reach out if openings occur. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you and your students in the future.
Plan a Field Trip to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens!
Vizcaya welcomes all K–12 students to explore the historic estate through themed tours designed to connect with Florida State Standards. Our programs are inclusive of all learning levels, and we look forward to hosting you and your students for an unforgettable experience.
Special Opportunities for Title I Schools
Vizcaya is proud to offer free admission to all Title I schools. Additionally, a limited number of bus scholarships are also available for Title I schools in Miami-Dade County. Through the Bus Scholarship Fund, schools may receive free bus transportation. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. Full details are available in the reservation form.
Educator Appreciation Day
2025-2026 Dates Coming Soon
Join us in celebrating teachers, principals, and administrators at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens! Enjoy free workshops, artmaking, and tours at the historic estate. Educators will receive x4 passes to visit the Main House and Gardens with their loved ones.
Creative Vizcaya Curriculum
Explore steam lessons developed by artists in your classroom! High school art educators are invited to beta-test these lessons and earn free art supplies for you and your students. Want to access our curriculum? Fill out the form below.
Visit Vizcaya This Summer!
Visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens or Vizcaya Village with your camp or program! All experiences include a tour, an activity, and an outdoor space for lunch. We suggest that participants bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellant!
Due to the ongoing renovation projects, Summer Camp Tours will take place at Vizcaya Village.
We have a select number of Mondays and Fridays available to be booked for self-guided groups to visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Groups are limited to 35 students for both experiences.
Summer Experiences
Environmental Exploration (Village Edition)
Discuss preservation and food systems while learning about native South Florida habitats on Vizcaya’s Village side of the property. Students will explore and make observations on flora and fauna with notebooks provided by us.
A Day In The Life (Village Edition)
Visit the Village to understand the West side of the property and how staff and James Deering utilized it. Students will learn about differences and similarities in lifestyles from the 10s and 20s compared to today.
Plan Your Visit
Plan your visit including group size, rates, options, dates and times and review Vizcaya’s youth group policies and procedures.
Make a Reservation
After planning your group’s visit, complete the online form to request a reservation.
Badge Programs at Vizcaya!
Girl Scouts can explore the Main House, Gardens, and participate in engaging activities to earn their badge. Programs are 2-3 hours and include admission to Vizcaya, a designated picnic area for lunch/snack, program materials, and a badge! To book your badge program please email [email protected].
For Brownies
Outdoor Art Creator
Explore Vizcaya’s gardens and unique environment as inspiration for creating and designing outdoor art. Along with learning Vizcaya’s history, Girl Scouts will learn how landscapes, art, and nature work together.
For Juniors
Outdoors Art Explorer
Juniors will explore the estate, engage with nature through artmaking, and use the gardens as inspiration for their own community project. Activities include music-making, photography, hand building with clay, and mixed-media work.
Gardener Badge
For Cadettes
Outdoor Art Apprentice
Cadettes will experiment with a different forms of art, such as music, architecture, clay work, photography, and drawing. Girl Scouts will learn more about the various natural spaces around them through artmaking and exploration.
For Seniors
Outdoor Art Expert
For Ambassadors
Outdoor Art Master
Ambassadors will explore art and design inside Vizcaya’s Main House and outside in the gardens. While sharing Vizcaya’s rich history and conservation efforts, Girl Scouts will be able to engage with nature through interactive activities.
Notice of filming & Photography
Individuals visiting as part of a school program or tour may be photographed or captured on video for the purpose of creating educational content as well as for the promotion of the museum and its programs. Any guests, especially children, that are not to be photographed should be flagged to Vizcaya’s School Programs Manager or equivalent liaison upon arrival at the estate. We appreciate your cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for all.
University group options
University Groups may reserve a private Guided Tour of the gardens. Tours are 45 minutes in duration and designed to be interactive and provide a basic introduction to the concepts behind the creation of the estate.
All tours foster inquiry and audience engagement, encouraging participants to make personal and meaningful connections with Vizcaya while encouraging new ways of thinking.
Tours can be custom tailored to connect with course curricula. Instructors wishing to lead self-directed art activities in the Main House and/or gardens must reserve these experiences with Vizcaya when scheduling their visit.
Guided Tour participants are welcome to explore additional areas of the Main House and/or gardens on their own before or after their guided tour(s).
The Vizcaya Café and Shop offers lunch options for groups of 10 or more. To book a group meal, contact Paula Gooden at [email protected] or 305-856-8189.
Plan your group reservation
Plan your visit including group size, options, dates and times, and review Vizcaya’s University Group policies and procedures.
Request a reservation
After planning your group’s visit, complete the online form to request a reservation.
For questions, please contact Vizcaya at [email protected] or 305-860-8442.
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