Urban Children's Garden in Residence
This summer urban outreach garden program serves about 200 children ranging from 5-9 years of age at 3-4 urban garden cites in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Kid-gardeners meet for one 2-hour session each week to learn from a staff that includes Arboretum instructors, community volunteers, and teenage garden program graduates who serve as mentors to kid-participants. Sessions include three learning stations; in the garden, science and nutrition, and garden play/art. This program has been conducted in partnership with sponsoring neighborhood agencies for over 20 years, in many locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area. - Program Goals
To provide a living laboratory for children to explore nature utilizing an age specific curriculum that relates directly to the Minnesota Academic Science Standards. - To offer children regular interaction with, and support from, caring and encouraging adults who are role models for positive behavior.
- Through hands-on experience, to increase children's knowledge of basic horticultural, plant science, entomology concepts and gardening skills.
- To enhance children's feelings of self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and connection to the neighborhood.
- To increase children's awareness of the interconnectedness of plants with products from everyday life, including food.
- To offer opportunities for eating fresh, nutritious food and expanding personal food choices.
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Please contact the Arboretum's Education department for further information 952-443-1422
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