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There are so many benefits or gardening, especially for youth. Spending more time outside, growing healthy foods in your backyard, and increasing the child’s likelihood of trying vegetables if they get to grow them are just a few that come to mind! Anytime we have offered a gardening club or activity at the extension office, we always have a good turnout, leading the 4-Hagent to believe it is a need in the community.  

Madison County 4-H teamed up with our Horticulture agent and Hort/AG Tech to deliver a wonderful 4-H Gardening Day Camp to our youth! We had 3 Master Gardeners who came to help supervise and teach youth.

At the beginning of the day, youth did an activity that started them thinking about where their food comes from, which was ultimately plants (animals eat plants). Then they got to do a craft related to gardening in the form of a mosaic tile made from seeds. Throughout the day, youth learned about seed spacing, how to start seeds. They were able to make their own seed tape using seeds they picked out. As a part of this activity, a Master Gardener helped them read seed packets!

For a snack, they even got to make edible compost as our horticulture agent talked to them what types of times they could and could not add to compost. They even discussed what ratios they should add green and brown matter to the compost!

Youth also learned the different soil textures and practiced a ribbon test to see if soil was clayey, loamy, sandy, or silty. They discussed drainage and how different plants like different levels of drainage.

They learned a little bit of floral design and got to arrange their own flowers.

Lastly, they planted 3 different container gardens which can be entered in the county fair!

Overall, volunteers and youths’ parents had lots of positive feedback about the day. One Master Gardener wrote, “The hands-on day you had for the elementary age kids during their spring break was excellent. I am sorry that I was not able to stay for the whole thing. Your timing and projects were spot-on and you have a real talent for engaging and educating children. I enjoyed myself immensely - I had not realized how much I missed being around kids as they actively explore and learn.  How lucky my grandchildren are to have you involved in their 4-H education.”

Parents emailed the 4-H Agent to say, “Thank you all for providing this Day Camp for kids. My children are familiar with plants and gardening, but they can always learn something new, and they like doing things that are not necessarily "Mom's plants" or gardening".” And “My kids really enjoyed it. They thought it was nice to have playtime too.”

4-Hers mentioned enjoying planting the pots and that they would take good care of the plants.

We also had a teen come to help wit the day camp who helped tremendously. He said, “I enjoyed helping, and thought it was fun. It was educational, and got kids involved in gardening.”

Overall, the 4-H and Horticulture agents have already been discussing plans for another collaboration. Could it be a multigenerational planting experience, or a homesteaders day camp for parents and their children? We are so grateful for the community and the volunteers to who show up and spend their time and energy helping develop the next generation of gardeners!