1927 East Orange Road, Waterloo, IA, 50701 | 319-226-4966 | info@cedarvalleyarboretum.org
Hours: Sunday: 11-6 | Monday: Closed | Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat: 9-6 | Thursday: 9-8
Explore Our Classes
Find the perfect class to help you explore your connection to nature.
Just Dots
Mandala Art
Date June 23, 2026
Time 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Cost: $25
Come learn how to dot in mandala style by making stones for the garden.
All materials including paint, tools, rocks and paint pot will be included. Class limit is 8 and class is best suited for those 14 yrs. and older.
Terrarium Class
Create a magical indoor garden
Date: June 11, 2026
Time 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Cost $70
Includes everything you need to make and take care of a terrarium including the plants. We will be using a one gallon container to make your garden under glass. Participants should bring their own small ceramic or plastic items to personalize their creation. ( ie gnomes, fairies, woodland creatures, favorites rocks or gems etc). Limit 15. Extra driftwood and decorative pieces will be available from instructor for additional cash$ if extra elements are desired.
Rooted in Peace
Sunday Evening Meditation
Dates: Every Sunday May to September
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Cost: Donation based
Evening Meditation in the Gardens offers a serene, nature‑rooted space to release the week’s noise and reconnect with your inner calm. Guided by certified yoga and meditation instructor Ashley Kay Andy, each session blends gentle breathwork, grounding visualization, and mindful presence. Surrounded by trees, blooms, and the soothing sounds of the Arboretum, participants can settle the nervous system, soften the body, and quiet the mind. Come as you are—bring a blanket, water, and comfortable layers—and leave feeling rooted, restored, and ready for the week ahead. This donation‑based class welcomes all experience levels and provides a peaceful weekly ritual of return to stillness and clarity.
Bumblebee Expedition Walks
Tuesdays
Every Tuesday from 9:30-11:00AM beginning June 2 and running thru September 8th (Limit 12 people), Free with admission to gardens.
Registration Required
Would you like to participate in a bumblebee expedition walk and learn about the science behind a bumblebee? Now is your opportunity! Join us as you discover what a bumblebee field scientist does. Witness bumblebee captures and the process involved, before the bees are released, unharmed. The walks are low-impact physically and short in distance, unhurried and allows ample time for questions. We hope to see you soon!
Bumblebee Expedition Walks
Sundays
Every Sunday at 1:30 PM and finished when all questions have been answered.
Beginning Sunday, June 7 - September 13 (Limit 1 family or group - meant to be more personal),
Registration Required.
Would you like to participate in a bumblebee expedition walk and learn about the science behind a bumblebee? Now is your opportunity! Join us as you discover what a bumblebee field scientist does. Witness bumblebee captures and the process involved, before the bees are released, unharmed. The walks are low-impact physically and short in distance, unhurried and allows ample time for questions. We hope to see you soon!
Container Gardening
Plant a Potted Herb Garden
Saturday, May 30th
9:30AM - 11:30AM
$25.00/person
Limit 10
Growing an attractive and productive herb garden in containers is easier than you might think. This session will introduce you to a variety of herbs suitable for container gardens and provide tips for growing, harvesting, and using your herbs in a variety of creative ways. Participants will plant up a container to take home. Recipes and additional resources will be provided.
Create a Personal Garden Sanctuary
Garden Design for well being
Thursday, July 9th
5:30PM - 7:30PM
Free with admission to the garden.
Registration Required
Limit 15
Gardens can comfort, restore and rejuvenate us. This class explores common elements of restorative and therapeutic outdoor spaces. No matter the size of your garden space, you'll learn how to use color, texture, fragrance, sound, and more to make your home garden a peaceful sanctuary. Participants will explore some of the Arboretum's garden spaces during the class. Resources on plant-selection and garden design will be provided.
Garden Bathing
Immersive walk through nature.
Saturday, August 8th
9:30AM - 11:30AM
Free with Admission to the Gardens
Registration Required
Limit 10
Time spent in the garden can engage our senses, our body, and our sense of self. Come explore the healing power of green spaces, and discover the many ways that connecting with plants and nature can benefit mental and physical wellness. During this session, participants will engage in a guided garden-bathing stroll through the Arboretum's trees and gardens. Comfortable attire recommended.
Garden Bathing
Immersive walk through nature.
Thursday, August 27th
5:30PM - 7:30PM
Free with Admission to the Gardens
Registration Required
Limit 10
Time spent in the garden can engage our senses, our body, and our sense of self. Come explore the healing power of green spaces, and discover the many ways that connecting with plants and nature can benefit mental and physical wellness. During this session, participants will engage in a guided garden-bathing stroll through the Arboretum's trees and gardens. Comfortable attire recommended.
Guided Garden Education Walks
Friday Mornings*
9:30 AM
Free with Admission to the Gardens
Guided Garden Walking Tours of in-depth, expert led explorations offering seasonal highlights of plant collections, native plants and the Arboretum's history.