Summer Garden Camp gave local kids the chance to spend a week at the West Point Community Garden.  Sixteen kids, ages 6 to 11 spent four days with their hands in the dirt. 

Day one was Soil Day- kids observed and learned about worms, built a compost pile, explored and amended garden beds.  On day two- Bug Day- our local Bee Man and retired teacher Jim Casey brought his demonstration hives to teach about bees, pollinators and beneficial insects. 

On Seed Day, kids learned all about different types of seeds, went on a seed scavenger hunt and planted squash and pumpkin seeds in the garden beds. On Plant Day, the kids got to plant out lettuce and herb starts in the beds that had been preparing all week, harvest and eat carrots and peas, and do two plant-based art projects with local artists Mikaela Bianchi and Marie Schembri. 

Throughout the week Donna Rose came to help the kids paint, craft and create our very own Fairy Village.  Garden Camp also included lots of books, journaling, tree-climbing and water-play!

Working and playing in the garden benefits children in so many ways.  They learn science, practice observation and exploration, develop gross and fine motor skills, get lots of exercise and learn about fresh foods and nutrition.  You can find lots of great family gardening ideas at the Kids Gardening website

We hope that our first Garden Camp helped grow a love of gardening, outdoor education and fresh food for our local kids.  We can’t wait to do it again next summer!

A huge Thank You to our staff, volunteers and local sponsors.

Garden Camp Bug Day 2023