Have fun with Youth Grow this summer. This summer youths between the ages of 9-13 will work with the Outdoor School and AmeriCorps members help plant, harvest, and maintain the 2-acre Laurel Valley Education Farm at NYC headquarters.

During the 3 week sessions, participants will learn lessons in a variety of organic gardening techniques, botany, soils, plant & insect identification while working and having fun in the garden. Participants will learn and build on the technical skills of gardening, but they will also build a sense of achievement and appreciation for what they have done.

This sense of appreciation is further stimulated when participants enjoy the fruits of their labor. Whether it’s a salad they make for a lunch or learning how to prepare a healthy meal using the gardens fresh organic produce; we strive for a unique yet fun learning environment

Through lessons in working in gardens, eating a lunch you prepared from the ground up, or the wonderful field trips where you will explore the natural resources of the Willamette Valley; The design of the Youth Grow program will bring satisfaction to the curious mind, a bond to a special place in the environment, and valuable qualities that the participant will carry on for a lifetime.