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SUMMER GARDENING PROGRAM AT IU TEACHES CHILDREN ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Youngsters have been learning about the world through gardening for more than 50 years in a historic Indiana University summer program.
The Summer Youth Garden Program is operated through Hilltop Garden and Nature Center on the Bloomington campus. For 10 weeks, children aged seven to 16 are spending weekday mornings practicing gardening principles, taking field trips, hearing guest speakers, and learning about environmental education. There also are overnight camp-outs. The vegetables grown by the students will be taken home by them or sold at the local farmer's market.
"Gardening is a gateway to learning about the world," explained Leah Garlotte, Hilltop's interim director. "The participants learn about environmental issues, leadership and civic responsibility. We're not just teaching kids to grow vegetables, because there is an analogy in gardening to everything in life."
The youth program, with about 50 participants, began June 9 and will conclude Aug. 6. Started by the university's Department of Biology in 1948, it is now operated through the Department of Recreation and Parks Administration in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The staff is a combination of university employees and students.
The facility is a certified organic garden, Garlotte said, with extensive use of mulching to keep weeds down and retain moisture.
Garlotte, who has been gardening for 35 years, said Hilltop isn't restricted to the youth program. "We also provide therapeutic horticulture for children and adults with disabilities, operate a community garden program, host community group meetings and provide workshops that focus on natural history, environmental education and sustainability."
University classes on conservation, outdoor recreation and environmental education also are held at the Hilltop facility. "We are very much a public facility and provide a unique interface with the community," she explained.
(Richard Doty, 812-855-0084, rgdoty@indiana.edu)