Youth
From Tiny Seeds Grow Mighty Trees
And from tiny gardeners, we will grow the garden club members of tomorrow! Youth gardening programs sponsored by many GCFM clubs provide educational opportunities for kids from pre-school age to high school. Youth are introduced to gardening, conservation, protection of wildlife, plant and tree recognition, basic flowering arranging, and they gain a love and appreciation of nature.
Programs for Youth
Youth programs are determined by individual clubs. Some simply provide money for scholarships given to students pursuing degrees in horticulture or related fields of study. Other clubs get involved with school gardens or host special programs with youth to teach them gardening skills. Clubs also help Girl and Boy Scouts to fulfill requirements for badges. And some clubs sponsor junior garden clubs within their community.
Click here for a downloadable educational workbook from National Garden Clubs, Inc.:
Become an Ecology Warrior! Download the Ecology Warriors Workbook
Contests Open to Youth in Maine
National Garden Clubs, Inc., annually sponsors several contests in which Maine youth may participate. Local garden clubs will contact schools in their areas to encourage and coordinate participation in these contests. Home schooled children are also welcome to participate and should contact a garden club in their area. Local clubs pass along entries to the Garden Club Federation of Maine. State winners are then sent to the New England Region, and those winners move on to compete nationally.
More information is available through these links:
- Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest
- Poetry Contest
- High School Distinguished Service Project Award
- Youth Sculpture Contest
For more information about youth gardening programs in your area, contact [email protected].
