Summer Youth Conservation Education Thrived
Following a challenging year serving hundreds of students via ZOOM classes; it was great to host youth all summer at our beautiful outdoor classroom, Houston Gardens.
WGCD partnered to enrich the children’s learning with the CSU Extension Office, High Plains Library District, The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Colorado Foundation for Agriculture, and the Master Gardener program while hosting summer school groups, Scouts and other nonprofit organizations serving youth, charter schools, and home school programs coordinating activities for 12-20 children per session.
A favorite unit was Pollinators. The kids put on wings and antennas and Waggle danced like bees to discover nectar and pollen (candy hidden in Cheeto buckets). Some additional education craft activities included making hummingbird feeder, Ladybugs, bat masks, anatomically correct bee rocks, butterflies, and miniature ants. They even learned Pollinator Yoga poses from our library partners and discovered how pollinators provide us with tasty locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Children toured Houston’s 8 acres daily learning to use all five of their senses while exploring plants, photosynthesis, trees, and water. We encouraged staying active and getting healthy doses of fresh air and vitamin D. The kids rarely wanted to leave the Garden when their bus arrived to return them home.
