Student Gardening
The RVACG strongly believes in encouraging and training young gardeners who are the gardeners or food growers of the future.
We believe it is important to introduce students to gardening, nature and the environment in general.
Busy Bees Garden Club
Younger children, ages 5 to 10, may participate in the Busy Bees Garden Club. Each child will have their own 2 X 4 ft. garden plot where they may select some seeds or seedlings to plant and care for and then harvest produce or flowers as the plants mature. The children and their families need to commit to taking responsibility for what is planted, and care for it on a regular basis. Mentors will be available to teach students about their plants and gardening. Children will also participate in a variety of activities relating to the garden including story time, arts and crafts activities scavenger hunts, garden walk throughs, etc.
A parent or guardian needs to attend the program with their child/ren to help with the gardening and activities.
Participation in the Busy Bees Garden Club is limited to 24 children due to limited space and resources.
Registration will be open to students in the River Valley School District beginning in the spring. Acceptance into the program is based on a first come basis.
We believe it is important to introduce students to gardening, nature and the environment in general.
Busy Bees Garden Club
Younger children, ages 5 to 10, may participate in the Busy Bees Garden Club. Each child will have their own 2 X 4 ft. garden plot where they may select some seeds or seedlings to plant and care for and then harvest produce or flowers as the plants mature. The children and their families need to commit to taking responsibility for what is planted, and care for it on a regular basis. Mentors will be available to teach students about their plants and gardening. Children will also participate in a variety of activities relating to the garden including story time, arts and crafts activities scavenger hunts, garden walk throughs, etc.
A parent or guardian needs to attend the program with their child/ren to help with the gardening and activities.
Participation in the Busy Bees Garden Club is limited to 24 children due to limited space and resources.
Registration will be open to students in the River Valley School District beginning in the spring. Acceptance into the program is based on a first come basis.
Junior Gardeners
The Junior Gardeners program provides free garden plots for older students in the River Valley School District. This is primarily for older students ages 11 to 18 unless the family is gardening at the Community Gardens. The goal is to encourage students to learn how to garden to grow healthy food for their families or others in need.
Interested individual students or student groups may download a pdf registration form here. Students, parents or guardians or student groups may contact the RVACG directly through the Contact Us link or email us at info@rvacg.org
There is no limit on the age of students participating in the program but they need to be old enough to understand that they must make a commitment to care for their plot and plants for the duration of the growing season.
Students may grow vegetables or ornamental plants for their family, or for the local food pantry of their choice. They are encouraged to use their plots as a 4-H project, a scouting project or for local county fair entries, or entries for the River Valley School Fair.
Students will have access to free seeds and seedlings as well as tools such as trowels, shovels, rakes, whatever is needed to plant and care for a garden. Students may also purchase their own seeds and seedlings.
The Junior Gardeners program provides free garden plots for older students in the River Valley School District. This is primarily for older students ages 11 to 18 unless the family is gardening at the Community Gardens. The goal is to encourage students to learn how to garden to grow healthy food for their families or others in need.
Interested individual students or student groups may download a pdf registration form here. Students, parents or guardians or student groups may contact the RVACG directly through the Contact Us link or email us at info@rvacg.org
There is no limit on the age of students participating in the program but they need to be old enough to understand that they must make a commitment to care for their plot and plants for the duration of the growing season.
Students may grow vegetables or ornamental plants for their family, or for the local food pantry of their choice. They are encouraged to use their plots as a 4-H project, a scouting project or for local county fair entries, or entries for the River Valley School Fair.
Students will have access to free seeds and seedlings as well as tools such as trowels, shovels, rakes, whatever is needed to plant and care for a garden. Students may also purchase their own seeds and seedlings.
Parent / Guardian Participation
Students participating in the program need to have parental or guardian permission. Parent or guardian participation in the project is encouraged at minimum in a supervisory capacity. Students and their parents / guardians are encouraged to participate in any social or fund raising activities sponsored by the Gardens. All activities are family friendly.
Garden Regulations
Before plots are planted students, parents / guardians must meet with the RVACG Registrar or attend the Gardens Spring Registration meeting to review the rules and the regulations of the Garden.
Mentors
Mentors will be assigned to all youth gardeners if they want them. Mentors will guide the students in seed and seedling selection, soil preparation, planting, seedling identification, mulching and soil care, weeding and harvesting.
Student gardeners may visit the garden as needed to care for their plants.
Email Notifications / Garden Activities
Student gardeners or parents / guardians will be added to the RVACG Garden email list so that they receive any Garden notices sent to the adult gardeners.
Who is contacted?
Annual contacts may be made with youth groups or individuals in the area.
These groups include but are not limited to
River Valley Middle School / River Valley High School / River Valley Elementary School
Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts / Local 4H Clubs
St. Johns School / St. Lukes School / Home School students
any students who express an interest in gardening to our Board members or one of Gardeners
Annual contacts may be made with youth groups or individuals in the area.
These groups include but are not limited to
River Valley Middle School / River Valley High School / River Valley Elementary School
Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts / Local 4H Clubs
St. Johns School / St. Lukes School / Home School students
any students who express an interest in gardening to our Board members or one of Gardeners
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