Youth Education
For over a decade, Denver Urban Gardens has worked in partnership with Denver Public Schools, Slow Food Denver and Learning Landscapes to establish gardens at schools. Of DUG’s 100+ community gardens, nearly 30 are located on the grounds of DPS Elementary Schools, with 1-3 new school gardens in various stages of planning each year. The expansion includes requests to accommodate the needs of older students in middle and high school. DUG is committed to supporting each community garden in ways appropriate to that garden’s particular needs, including developing a partnership between the school community and surrounding neighbors to strengthen garden sustainability.We believe the lessons offered in a garden are life changing for children of all backgrounds, but in particular, those from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Through the wonders of a garden, students experience hands-on lessons in: biology and ecology, horticulture, wellness and nutrition, recycling, composting, and community building. In support of school gardens, DUG offers an integrated nutrition and gardening curriculum to school communities.
Denver Urban Gardens' resources and programming in school garden and nutrition education include:
- School Garden and Nutrition Curriculum
Our seasonal approach to teaching builds a bridge for students between gardening, nutrition and science using standards-aligned lessons for the classroom and the garden.
- Connecting Generations Volunteer Mentor Program
We believe the effectiveness of our work in school gardens is enhanced when it is supported by a committed group of volunteers, which might include on-site community gardeners, parents, grandparents or neighbors.
- Helping Kids Get Healthy: A Workshop Series For Youth Educators
This ongoing workshop series is designed for teachers and volunteers who want to incorporate lessons in nutrition and gardening into their curriculum. Our next workshop is on October 25th.
- Youth Farmers' Markets
In partnership with Slow Food Denver, Denver Urban Gardens works with local schools to coordinate youth-run farmers' markets.
Upcoming events in Youth Education:
- Helping Kids Get Healthy: A Workshop Series for Youth Educators
Thursday, January 26th, 5:00 - 7:00pm
These unique workshops are designed for teachers and volunteers who work in youth education programs that focus on nutrition and gardening. Join DUG’s Education Team to learn different ways to use your school garden and how to teach hands-on lessons in organic gardening and nutrition. During the January workshop, participants will learn how to build and use classroom grow labs and start seedlings; our featured nutrition lesson will cover whole grains. Click here to learn more about this workshop series, including how to register.
- Garden To Cafeteria and Youth Farmers' Market Workshop
Tuesday, February 10th, 9:00am - 4:00pm, Adams County Fairgrounds
Join Slow Food Denver and Denver Urban Gardens as we share our best practices in establishing and conducting Garden to Cafeteria and Youth Farmers' Markets programs. Both of these programs provide educational and fundraising opportunities for the school garden. Click here to view the full agenda for this workshop. Click here to register.
Also see:
Denver School Garden Coalition
Garden to Cafeteria
