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Self-led Visit Guidelines

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Self-led school visit
Self-led school visit in the Gallery

Welcome!

We look forward to welcoming your group to Glenstone! Please review the following information prior to your group’s arrival.

Your Arrival

If arriving in a personal vehicle, you will enter Glenstone at 12100 Glen Road in Potomac, Maryland, check in with the security guard, then park at the Red Oak Parking Grove – first parking lot on your right. There are restrooms and a water station nearby if needed upon arrival.  

If arriving by bus or shuttle, you will enter Glenstone at 12180 Glen Road in Potomac, Maryland. The bus or shuttle will park at the Environmental Center for the duration of the visit. There are restrooms and a water station at the Environmental Center if needed upon arrival. 

Once off the vehicle, all visitors should be split into four groups of 10 or fewer visitors (ages 12-17) and one adult chaperone per group. Four chaperones are required for all visits.

The group will be greeted by a member of the Community Engagement or Visitor Experience teams who will provide an overview of our guidelines and a site map.

Our Self-led Youth Program Experience

In a self-led visit, student groups explore Glenstone at their own pace in small groups of 10 students or fewer visitors and can engage with our knowledgeable guide team throughout campus.  

If your group requires a lunch space, we can provide one. Please note lunches must be coordinated by the group. We are unable to provide lunch or accommodate dining at our Café and Patio, and do not carry to-go options.  

Weather permitting, groups can explore sculpture along the Woodland Trail. The following sculptures are open to the public during a set time. 

  • Richard Serra, Four Rounds: Equal Weight, Unequal Measure, 2017 open from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

  • Andy Goldsworthy, Clay Houses (Boulder-Room-Holes), 2007 open from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. 

If time permits, groups are welcome to join the daily 1 p.m. daily Nature Walk led by members of our Grounds and Visitor Experience teams.

During summer months, groups are also welcome to join a Split-Rocker Talk on Thursdays at 11 a.m. led by our Split-Rocker technician, a Water Court Talk on Thursdays at 2 p.m. led by our aquatic horticulturist, or a Curatorial Talk on Fridays at 2 p.m. 

Chaperone Policy

Due to the fragile nature of the works on view, all visitors must be 12 or older and all minors (ages 12–17) must be always accompanied by an adult during their Glenstone visit. This extends to any 18-year-old on a school visit.  

Chaperones are expected to encourage youth engagement and manage any disruptions throughout the visit. Additional chaperone responsibilities include:  

  • Chaperones must always be with their groups and are responsible for the safety of the children, the art, and nature they visit.  

  • Chaperones are expected to work with our guides to encourage youth engagement and manage any disruptions throughout the visit.  

  • Chaperones must keep their group from merging with others on the paths and in the galleries.  

Our Guidelines

To help us preserve and protect the art, galleries, natural environment, and the experience of other visitors, we ask that you respect the following guidelines:  

  • Visitors should be prepared to spend considerable time on foot, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.  

  • Please stay on marked trails and paths. Our growing plants thank you!  

  • Please don’t touch the art. Even outdoor sculptures that are exposed to the elements can be damaged by human contact.  

  • Photography is allowed any time a visitor is outdoors. Once inside the galleries, photography is not permitted.  

  • Glenstone visits take place rain or shine. If the heat index value is expected to exceed 105 degrees, the wind chill temperature falls below 0 degrees, or there are thunderstorms expected in the area, our Community Engagement team will reach out to the group’s primary contact to reschedule your visit.   

Accessibility

If your group requires special accommodation, please reach out to the Community Engagement team at youth@glenstone.org. We will work with you to accommodate the group as much as possible.

Please note accommodations must be requested at least one week before your visit.

Accessibility offerings:

  • Guided engagements include visual and tactile resources to engage diverse learners.

  • Our paths are designed to be firm and stable with accessible grades. Complimentary wheelchairs and gallery chairs are available upon request.

  • ASL interpretation can be coordinated for any visit.

  • We can provide auditory-sensible visitors noise-cancelling headphones as some of our spaces can get echo-y.

  • Our team is equipped to work with non-English learners. Please note: Language interpreters must be requested at least two weeks before your visit.

Cancellations

We want to share our unique experience with as many visitors as possible. We ask for a minimum 14-day cancellation notice if you will not be able to participate in your Glenstone visit. An early cancellation will provide another summer program the opportunity to visit.

Please notify of us of your wish to cancel your visit via email at youth@glenstone.org.

Questions? Contact the Community Engagement team at youth@glenstone.org, Monday through Friday.