The children’s garden is designed to be a living playground. When children walk through the vine-covered arbors, they discover a house made of sunflowers, a tunnel made of cucumber vines, and a trio of teepees climbing with pole beans.
Young visitors can brush up on their letters by walking along our ABC path and learn chef secrets in our fragrant pizza garden. Kids are encouraged not only to stop and smell the flowers, but also to sample the organic fruit and produce. The children’s garden is open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Garden Explorers Camp: Campers learn about the cycle of plant and insect life in the garden through stories, projects, games, and exploration. They also learn the basics of organic gardening by planting, tending, and harvesting their own vegetables. This is a great first-camp experience for younger kids and a perennial favorite for older children. Garden explorer families will enjoy fresh vegetables and flowers all summer long.
Garden Explorer Camp:
Art in the Garden (Ages 6-8) Monday-Friday 9:00-11:30am Dates: 7/20-7/24
Embrace your artistic spirit by exploring the beauty of the garden. There is art wherever you look. In this camp we will use this beauty to explore different mediums of art. Drawing, painting, clay, sunprints and using natural materials to create beauty. Campers will explore color, texture and patterns in nature to inspire their art and learn more about the plants and art within gardening. Everyone is an artist and where else better to be creative than a garden. Campers will get to create art inspired by the garden and enjoy the garden as well by playing, digging in the dirt and tending to the fruit, vegetables, and flowers.
Garden Heroes (Ages 6-8) Monday-Friday 9:00-11:30am Dates: 7/27-7/31
For a successful garden, there is a whole world of garden heroes: birds, bees, worms and more. In this camp, campers will learn how we can be heroes to garden helpers. We will learn all about how these animals, their adaptations and how they help to make a garden healthy and their superpowers. In addition, campers will learn what we can do to help the garden and its heroes. Students will build bird and butterfly feeders, bee baths, bee hotels and much more. We also will get to play a part in helping the garden by harvesting, watering and all the important jobs that help make a garden happy.
Magic in the Gardens (Ages 4-6 ) Monday-Friday 9:00-11:30am Dates: 8/3-8/7
There are many people and animals who help a garden grow – buzzing bees, wriggling worms, majestic butterflies. However, did you know that many magical creatures also make gardens their home? In this camp we will learn about the tiny creatures who live and care for the plants and animals in the Yarmouth Community garden. Fairies, elves, gnomes and sprites all help us learn all about the folklore of our very own garden. Campers will learn about the stories tied to our land, create magical artwork and most importantly create homes and mailboxes for our fairy friends. We will also explore what flowers, fruits and vegetables are in season, get our hands in the soil and help grow and harvest food.
FAQS
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TO THE GARDEN?
Please bring a water bottle, a snack, a hat, and clothes that look good with dirt. Please pre-apply sun screen and bug spray. (We’ll have extra at the garden, too.)
WHAT IF WE CAN’T AFFORD CAMP THIS SUMMER? No problem. Just ask YCS about our scholarship program, or email Callie McMaster at mcmastercallie@gmail.com for more information.
WHAT’S THIS I HEAR ABOUT ASKING GARDEN EXPLORER FAMILIES TO VOLUNTEER IN THE GARDEN THIS SUMMER? We need just a little of your time and talent to help us care for the garden. By asking participating families to donate 3 hours (per family) we can keep the garden in good working order and keep the program cost down. Asking for “service hours” also reinforces the community-building mission of the garden. Don’t be intimidated if you’re not a gardener; knowledgeable volunteers are on hand to guide you and pour the lemonade.
IS THERE A BATHROOM AT THE GARDEN? Yes. It’s not fancy, but there’s a porta potty.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ALLERGIC TO BEES OR OTHER INSECTS? Like all healthy gardens, ours is buzzing with bees. We even have hives tended by a local beekeeper. The kids and bees coexist just fine, but please, if your child is allergic, let us know. Make sure your child has an EpiPen and knows how to use it. If your child has other medical issues, please let us know.
AM I EXPECTED TO STAY FOR CLASS WITH MY CHILD? No. You can drop your child off, or you’re welcome to stay and help. Teachers are looking for volunteers to help. Please contact Callie McMaster if you are interested.
ARE SIBLINGS AND FRIENDS INVITED TO COME TO CLASS? Because classes do fill up, we prefer you don’t bring children who aren’t signed up in the program. Of course, you’re welcome to play nearby in the garden with them while we have class. We also welcome family and friends to join us for special weekend events and harvest celebrations.
Yarmouth Community Garden 