Summer Sprouts Garden Camp

If you're a summer camp director looking for programming, we'd love to bring our Summer Sprouts programs to your campers in one of our community gardens. Read on for details.

We don't currently offer a program for individual families, but we're considering starting one in the future. Sign up here to be notified of updates!

 
 
A group of children stand in an urban community garden watching a demonstration.
Three children sit together cutting up an orange bell pepper.
Two children smile at the camera while watering garden plants with a hose.
A girl measures salt while other children look on.
A group of children stands around a woman who is showing them freshly picked lettuce.
Several people stand together under a tent cooking greens over hot plates.
Several children examine tall plants in a garden while their instructor looks on.
A small child pours ingredients from a large jug.
Three children work together to harvest basil.
A boy spiralizes zucchini into noodles.
A group of children gather a round a community garden bed for a lesson.
A group of children sits around the edges of a bed growing greens.
A smiling boy tastes what his group has just cooked from garden produce.

A Garden-to-Table Experience for Children

Through Summer Sprouts, kids can enjoy the summer sunshine while learning how to grow and cook local food. Each week we’ll explore a different plant in season and share a snack prepared from the garden!

A Summer Sprouts Example

The agenda for a Summer Sprouts session might look like this:

  • Arrival, circle time and introduction of seasonal plant (e.g., lettuce, beets, kale and collards, basil, watermelon, zucchini, peppers, or tomatoes)

  • Garden harvest and food preparation

  • Community snack

  • Garden task

  • Reflection and departure

In the summer of 2021, we gardened with our Sprouts in Pendleton and the West End.

The Details

  • Cost: Programs are free and open to summer camps in the vicinity of many community gardens in our network

  • Location: Please contact our Youth Education Coordinator, Ellie Falk, to find out if Summer Sprouts is at a community garden near your camp: youtheducation@civicgardencenter.org

  • Age: Programs are intended for ages 6-12

  • Length: 1 to 1.5 hours each week for 8 weeks

  • Number of Students: There is a group size limit of 15 children per program

  • Weather: Programs will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather (e.g., excessive heat, wind advisory, heavy rain, lightning, etc.)

To learn more, please contact our Youth Education Coordinator, Ellie Falk: youtheducation@civicgardencenter.org