Horticulture Kids Camp is Program that has been continuing for 3 years.  A total of 15 children accepted into the day camp.  This program has filled up every year and usually has a wait list. This program is popular because it is a total of three day and is about three and half hours long.  The age range for the children are 6 to 11 years of age.

The first day of the program is spent at the Extension Office and we talk about fruits and vegetables.The children start the morning by visiting the edible landscape and raised beds garden to learn about different vegetables and fruits, along with harvesting.  During this time we utilize the herb garden that is maintained by the herb society, to use our five senses and harvest herbs.  After the harvest, we visit the Boone County Farmers Market onsite to meet the farmers.  The farmers tell us what products they are selling and how hard they work to grow food for others.  We always thank a farmer.

During camp we rotate locations to teach specific areas of horticulture.  The second day of camp is at the Boone County Arboretum.  This location is used to teach about pollinators and ornamental plants.  In morning, we spend the time dividing into two groups, each group has to complete as many tasks on the scavenger hunt.  Along the way, the children are educated on the trees and shrubs located in the arboretum, insect that are found on our trail, and also how we need to keep our community clean.  We also partner with Master Gardener volunteers to lead an activity.

Third and final day, we have the program at the Boone County Extension Environmental and Nature Center.This is a fun morning for the children because we partner with the Boone County Garden Club and they teach a terrarium lesson.  All terrariums that are created this day, are entered into the county fair.  The county fair has two different age groups 8 and under and 9 to 15.  Most of the children we have this is their first time entering anything into our county fair.  Then we hike the trails to learn about nature.

This camp may not have many participates, but the demand for youth horticulture is a need in our county.With keeping the numbers low the children are able to have hands on experience, work in small group on activities, and learn about other organization in our county.

All of the follow up evaluations are returned from horticulture kids camp.  We use a rating system from 1 being the worst to 5 being very interested.All fifteen evaluations have received five being very interested.  We ask the parents if their children are willing to try more fruits and vegetables after their experience at horticulture kid’s camp, and everyone came back saying yes, they willing to try more fruits and vegetables.  This is the largest accomplishment we have with horticulture kid’s camp.  Every child says they want to come to back.

Few quotes from evaluations:

“My child talked a lot about having a terrarium.”

One child said, “He learned not all plants are the same size.  I would like to taste more food and play games.”

“Program was good.Tyler learned about different fruits and vegetables.  Jesse learned how to make different container gardens.  More kids programs.”

“Great program.  She loved all the hands on activities.”