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Family Programs
The Children's Garden, BBG's longest-running program, continues to serve children ages 3 through 13, giving them direct experience in preparing soil, planting, tending, weeding, and, of course, harvesting. Tool safety and maintenance, plant crafts, and cooking projects round out the curriculum. This year, staff developed a new curriculum framework for Children's Garden programs to ensure that weekly lessons throughout the year are comprehensive and complementary for all age groups. In the past year, 625 children enrolled in sessions held during the summer, fall, winter, and spring. A family celebration at the end of each season allowed children to give a tour of their garden plots to proud parents and siblings. The Summer Science Adventures program served as an afternoon extension for some of the participants. This program was filled to capacity again this year, with 129 children using BBG's collections to explore science topics and plants from cultures around the world.
The Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) allows student interns to work in all areas of the Garden, gaining valuable job training and increasing levels of responsibility.
The Garden Apprentice Program (GAP), launched in 2004, completed its third year. GAP provides student interns in grades 8 through 12 with opportunities for personal growth and career development. The four-level program includes job training and increasing levels of responsibility in volunteer or paid placements that focus on the various functions at public gardens or other nonprofit agencies. Fifty-four interns participated for the full year, and GAP interns worked in the Horticulture, Education, Science, and Development departments. First-year students played a key role in interpreting the plant collections to BBG visitors by operating Discovery Carts. Brief drop-in activities at the carts are used to foster a deeper connection between visitors and plants. The GAP program was extended this year so that all apprentices received more horticultural training in the Children's Garden.
Over 8,600 children and family members enjoyed drop-in Discovery Workshops this year. These themed workshops are free with Garden admission, do not require registration, and are designed for families and young children. Activities encourage hands-on exploration of plants and botanical materials; children typically make something to take home. The workshops enhance the popularity of the Discovery Garden, a fun-filled space at BBG where young kids and their parents or caregivers can experience a living collection of plants. Brightly colored leaves and flowers, inviting textures and smells, and small spaces that inspire imaginative exploration define this child-friendly garden within the Garden.