Eating well and staying active can present a challenge for many people today. According to a study by the US Department of Agriculture, adolescents do not eat enough vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, and they eat too much fat and saturated fat. This problem will only lead to more later on in life. Understanding how our food grows, and who grows our food will improve, and hopefully reverse, this persisting, critical issue.
One of the most effective ways to ensure our youth are eating well is to
teach them how to grow their own food!
Learning to grow your own food is fun, good for your health, and good for the environment. This summer is a chance to be outside and learn the ins and outs of gardening. YouthGrow was designed for local kids, creating opportunities to make friends, visit local organic farms and gardens, learn gardening skills, cook with fresh produce, take part in constructing a cob oven, completing various arts and crafts projects, and most importantly get dirty outdoors!
YouthGrow is a day camp for kids aged 7-13. This is a fun, educational three-week gardening summer camp hosted by Northwest Youth Corps and the School Garden Project.
The program is staffed by well trained AmeriCorps members. They will lead the youth to various School Garden Project garden sites, community gardens in the area, and Northwest Youth Corps’ Laurel Valley Education Farm.
Activities
-Planting seeds and starts
-Harvesting produce
-Preparing meals from garden produce
-Field trips to local farms
-Playing garden games
-Building a portion of a cob oven
-Nature walks
Benefits
YouthGrow will make summer 2010 one to remember. Participants will learn, explore, and have fun outdoors. All who come will leave with an appreciation of gardening, an understanding of how local and organic practices play into our eating habits, new knowledge about the natural environment, healthy recipes, arts and craft projects, plant starts, lots of new friends, and tons of great memories.
|
Dates |
Cost |
| Session 1 |
June 28-July 16
|
$295 |
Session 2
|
July 19-Aug. 6
|
$295 |
| Session 3 |
Aug. 9-Aug. 27
|
$295 |
To Register: Please fill out a registration form or if you would like more information, email youthgrow@nwyouthcorps.org or call (541) 349-5055.
The School Garden Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that helps schools create and sustain gardens where hands-on learning connects students with their environment and local food system. |
