Youth Programs
DUG’s Youth Engagement programs aim to inspire a love of nature for our future earth stewards.
At Denver Urban Gardens, we believe that every child deserves the chance to dig in the dirt, taste something they’ve grown, and feel connected to the natural world around them. Our youth programs nurture curiosity, resilience, and a sense of belonging by grounding learning in real-life experiences—rooted in the rhythms of the garden and the wisdom of community.
From planting seeds to harvesting produce, our hands-on, play-based approach invites young learners to explore the intersections of food, community, and climate. We partner with schools, educators, and local organizations to bring vibrant garden-based education to life—offering joyful, inclusive experiences that support academic learning, social-emotional growth, and environmental stewardship.
Whether through a school garden class, a family workshop, or a sensory-rich garden adventure, DUG cultivates meaningful opportunities for youth to grow as curious thinkers, empowered changemakers, and future earth stewards.
Explore Our Family Workshops
DUG’s family series is designed to bring people of all ages together through hands-on, nature-based learning experiences. Focused on intergenerational activities, the program encourages families to connect with each other and with the natural world. With a focus on making nature accessible and engaging for children and adults alike, these workshops foster collaboration, curiosity, creativity and environmental stewardship for families.
Bring DUG to your School or Group
DUG brings the wonder of gardening to your classroom or community group with our signature youth classes. Explore our options to bring a DUG instructor directly to your kiddos with classes that run 30-60 min long, depending on your class’s availability and needs. Our private class options can be tailored to accommodate learners from early childhood through 12th grade. DUG’s class maximum is between 20 and 30 youth, depending on the age of the youth and the number of adults present.
Explore our available topics below and book a DUG educator to lead a workshop with your group!
Seeds of Wonder: Seasonal Planting Experience
Discover the secrets within different seeds, journey through their amazing lifecycle, and get hands-on with soil for a fun and interactive learning experience. This class sparks curiosity about plant life cycles and fosters a love for growing in our youngest earth stewards; pots are perfect for take home care or seed trays for classroom care.
Optional Light Kit Add-On ($50)*:
We’ll set up your very own classroom light kit. Start your first seeds onsite with DUG staff and grow more as desired. Kits include seed trays and domes, LED lights, seed starting mix and watering tools. Participants are responsible for maintenance and continued care of their seed starting equipment.
*subject to availability
Garden of Wonder: Garden Planting Experience
During this immersive experience, you will connect with the earth and the secrets of Denver gardening. Get dirty and learn to sow climate-adapative cultural crops suited for local conditions and the ideal harvest. We’ll provide an exciting overview from seed to plate.
Soil Superheroes: Hands-on with Red Wiggler Worms
Join us on an exciting journey to discover the underground world of worms—our very own soil superheroes! In this fun and interactive class, get up close and personal with red wiggler worms, learning why they’re crucial for healthy soil and plants. We’ll explore a worm bin, find out what worms love to eat, and get close and personal with our wriggly visitors. From feeding our worm friends to uncovering the secrets of “black gold,” this adventure is packed with hands-on learning, curiosity, and creativity.
Optional Worm Bin Add-On ($50)*:
We’ll set up your very own classroom worm bin! Students will help build your worm bin while learning all about their new classroom companions. Worm bin, initial materials, and starter Red Wiggler worms included. Teachers are responsible for the maintenance and continued care of their worm bins.
*subject to availability
Peck, Scratch and Squawk: Everyday Use of Chickens in the Garden*
In this hands-on introduction to aviculture, you will meet live chickens, discovering the role of poultry birds in gardens and farms! Discover different poultry types used for meat, eggs, and feathers, as well as essential bird care, including nutrition, housing, and even how to speak chicken!
*Denver Public Schools may only book this class if students are in 3rd grade or above
The Four Seasons: Sensory and Wellness Nature Practices*
Join us for a seasonal expression and exploration. Engage in a hands-on, seasonally relevant art experience that fosters deep connection to the season at hand, themselves, and others. Through seasonal tastings and art, this class is designed to help unwind, de-stress, and learn about the rhythms of nature in a fun and meaningful way!
Garden Pollination: Supporting Pollinators and Crop Growth
Fly into the world of pollination with DUG and discover how different types of pollinators, from bees to butterflies, are responsible for your food! Participants will explore different types of pollination and ways their food is pollinated. Learn practical strategies for hosting Denver’s pollinators, not only optimizing garden yield, but supporting your local ecosystem.
Interested in multiple classes, field trips, or custom experiences for your learners? Contact [email protected] to learn more about pricing and availability.
ARE YOU A TEACHER WITH A GARDEN?
Host a 90-minute paid Garden-Based Learning Teacher Training at your school to help you confidently integrate your school’s on-site garden into everyday learning. Upon completion, participants receive a personal gift card and a stipend for resource use.
Recruitment is in the fall and spring.
READY TO BOOK YOUR PRIVATE GROUP CLASS?
DUG classes are offered at the following pricing tiers, with generous funding support for Denver County through HFDK.
RESERVE AHORA
*Non-Denver County Title-I schools may qualify for a scholarship, depending on availability
DUG’s Offerings for Schools/Youth-Focused Organizations
DUG provides two types of resources for the community:
- DUG’s Public Offerings, open to all community members regardless of where they will be gardening and
- DUG’s Garden Offerings, open to DUG Gardens only.
If you need additional information or support, please email [email protected].
DUG’S PUBLIC OFFERINGS
Cultive un jardín
- Description: DUG’s Grow a Garden program removes those barriers with ready-to-grow kits that include seeds, seedlings, and guidance.
- Cost: Pay-what-you-can
- Link: https://dug.org/food-access-programs/grow-a-garden/
Distribución comunitaria de semillas
- Description: A community seed packet distribution, free to individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and government agencies at DUG’s main office to jumpstart the growing season.
Cost: Free - Link: https://dug.org/food-access-programs/community-seed-distribution/
Educación comunitaria y familiar
- Description: Our workshops honor the wisdom of all participants, combining hands-on learning with organic practices that restore and respect the earth focused on metro Denver climate.
Cost: Free or Pay-what-you-can - Link: https://dug.org/learn/
DUG’S GARDENING OFFERINGS
Semillas culturalmente inclusivas
- Description: DUG offers rare and heritage varieties to DUG gardeners across Denver so they can grow what feels like home.
Cost: Free for DUG gardens only - Link: https://dug.org/food-access-programs/culturally-inclusive-seeds/
Clases para jóvenes
- Description: DUG brings the wonder of gardening to your classroom or community group with our signature youth classes.
- Cost: Free + $*
- Must be a DUG school garden and fall into one of the following categories:
- Title-1 school, or having title-1 status within the last 2 years
- Low Income Low Access Neighborhood
- A DUG underutilized garden (learn more about garden equity here)
- A part of the Seed to Plate to Regenerate program (grant funding commitment
- Must be a DUG school garden and fall into one of the following categories:
- Cost: Free + $*
- Link: https://dug.org/learn/youth-programs/
Programa de formación docente
- Description: A 90-minute, on-site session designed to help educators confidently integrate their DUG garden into everyday learning.
- Cost: Free
- Must be a DUG school garden and fall into one of the following categories:
- Title-1 school, or having title-1 status within the last 2 years
- Low Income Low Access Neighborhood
- A DUG underutilized garden (learn more about garden equity here)
- A part of the Seed to Plate to Regenerate program (grant funding commitment
- Must be a DUG school garden and fall into one of the following categories:
- Link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG6pvsiwYU/1YzzFQEPg250xnNb5ldmSg/view?utm_content=DAG6pvsiwYU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h576fd8fcbf
Suministros o artículos para la educación en el jardín**
- Description: DUG maintains limited funding and seasonal programs for free gardening supplies to support school staff.
- Cost: Free.
- DUG supplies funding is restricted to schools will be using the materials in their DUG school garden and fall into one of the following categories:
- Title-1 school, or having title-1 status within the last 2 years
- Low Income Low Access Neighborhood
- A DUG underutilized garden (learn more about garden equity here)
- A part of the Seed to Plate to Regenerate program (grant funding commitment
- DUG supplies funding is restricted to schools will be using the materials in their DUG school garden and fall into one of the following categories:
**Additional resources are available for title-1 Denver Public Schools. Contact Chris Woodburn, Program Manager, Gardens and Solid Waste Diversion: [email protected].
DUG ECE Resources
Lessons offered in nature are transformative for young children. In the garden, students engage in hands-on experiences that foster holistic learning, build skills in natural science, and encourage collaboration, community, curiosity, and exploration.
ECE Garden-Based Lesson Plans
Our ECE gardening-based lesson plans for educators offer a range of engaging activities and lessons designed to ignite curiosity and nurture a love for science in the littlest of learners.
DUG on YouTube
Our monthly webinars cover simple and engaging ways to support the wonder of early learners in the garden throughout the year.
Farmer Dave + Friends Video Collaboration
DUG meets up with Rocky Mountain PBS stars Farmer Dave (and his friends!) in DUG gardens across Denver as we have fun in nature!
Youth Resources
Exploración auto-guiada del jardín: búsquedas del tesoro
Exploración auto-guiada del jardín: búsquedas del tesoro
Read MoreInvolucrar a lo/as niño/as en la jardinería: la diversión de la búsqueda durante el deshierbe
Involucrar a lo/as niño/as en la jardinería: la diversión de la búsqueda durante el deshierbe
Read MoreInvolucrando lo/as niño/as en el proceso de cultivación
Involucrando lo/as niño/as en el proceso de cultivación
Read MoreEl poder de escribir un diario en tu jardín: Notar el cambio y mejorar tu experiencia de jardinería
El poder de escribir un diario en tu jardín: Notar el cambio y mejorar tu experiencia de jardinería
Read More
Ideas para que los niños siembren en febrero
Ideas para que los niños siembren en febrero
Read MoreOur Community Partners
Want to learn more about youth engagement or partnerships with DUG?
Email us at [email protected]
Seed to Plate to Regenerate (SPR)
Denver Urban Gardens, Slow Food Denver, and We Don’t Waste work together to educate students and increase access to nutritious food. Leveraging each organization’s strengths, SPR delivers hands-on activities in gardening, cooking, nutrition, composting, and food waste reduction, including classroom lessons, cooking classes, food waste audits, and food distribution.
Denver Urban Gardens is proud to receive program support through Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids.
