DUG’s Youth Engagement programs aim to inspire a love of nature for our future earth stewards.
DUG connects young learners to the intersections of food, community, and climate through exploration, play, and learning. We offer a variety of ways to engage youth with DUG through our school-based gardens, engaging classes and community partners.
Book a Class with DUG!
DUG brings the wonder of gardening to your classroom or community group! Explore the ways we get young learners ECE-5th grade (aged 3-10) exploring and learning about the world around them.
DUG Classes are offered at the following pricing tiers, with generous funding support for Denver County through HFDK.
| Free | $95 per class | $175 per class |
| All Denver County public schools | Title-1 designated, non-Denver County public schools (e.g., JeffCo, Aurora, Adams, etc) | non-Title-1 designated, non- Denver County public schools (e.g., JeffCo, Aurora, Adams, etc) |
| Nonprofit, extracurricular programs, youth groups, and private organizations principally serving Denver County youth with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less | Nonprofit organizations, extracurricular programs, youth groups, and private organizations not principally serving Denver County youth with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less | Nonprofit organizations, extracurricular programs, youth groups, and private organizations not principally serving Denver County youth with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or more |
| Denver County private schools with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less | Denver County private schools with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or more |
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 45-minute class, kids 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 45-minute adventure is packed with hands-on learning, curiosity, and creativity.
Seeds of Wonder: Seasonal Planting Experience
This lively, 45-60 minute exploration allows young gardeners to discover the secrets within different seeds, journey through their amazing lifecycle, and get hands-on with soil and planting while making learning fun and interactive. Perfect for indoor planting, this class sparks curiosity about plant life cycles and fosters a love for growing in our youngest earth stewards.
Peck, Scratch and Squawk: Everyday Use of Chickens in the Garden
In this hands-on 45-60 min. experience, students will be introduced to aviculture with live chickens, discovering the role of poultry birds in gardens and farms. They’ll learn about different poultry types used for meat, eggs, and feathers, as well as essential bird care, including nutrition housing, and even how to speak chicken!
Intro To The Garden: Outdoor Garden Exploration and Planting
Do you have access to a school or community garden but aren’t sure how to use it as an outdoor classroom? Let us show you the way! During our Intro to the Garden class, DUG will cover the rules for the garden and then lead you and your students through a grade-appropriate hands-on activity, from discovering shapes and colors to exploring the senses or identifying animal and plant life cycles.
The Four Seasons Sensory and Wellness Nature Practices
Join us as we explore mindfulness and emotional well-being through nature-based activities that change with the seasons. Students will engage in hands-on experiences that foster a deep connection with the environment, promoting relaxation and mental health. From sensory explorations to seasonal discoveries, this class is designed to help students unwind, de-stress, and learn about the rhythms of nature in a fun and meaningful way!
Explore Our Family Programs
We offer intergenerational classes designed to spark learning and fun for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents!
There are currently no events.
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.
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!
School-based Gardens
We believe that gardens provide kids with positive experiences that cultivate their sense of wonder and curiosity as they learn where their food comes from. When kids see first-hand how to grow food, they learn that their actions can make a difference for themselves and their community. Eating something they have nurtured provides a sense of ownership, agency, and a strong sense of pride.
For more than thirty years, Denver Urban Gardens has worked in partnership with Denver, Aurora, Jefferson County, Englewood, and Douglas County Public Schools. Currently, there are 66 DUG school-based community gardens across the metro Denver area. Most of these gardens are shared spaces for schools and communities to grow together.
Interested in bringing a DUG garden into your school community? Learn more about our garden selection process here.
Our Community Partners
Want to learn more about youth engagement or partnerships with DUG?
Contact Youth Engagement Manager Vanessa Carrillo Villalobos at vanessa@dug.org.
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.
The Growing Scientists Program
In partnership with six Title I schools, Denver Urban Gardens, Colorado Ballet, Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Botanic Gardens, and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies offer no-cost STEAM programming for Pre-K through 3rd-grade students from underserved communities. Grounded in state and national science standards, the program enhances classroom learning with interactive experiences. Each cultural organization contributes grade-specific activities, providing students with valuable opportunities to develop STEAM skills while engaging alongside teachers and parents.
