The Problem
The main focus on this camp is to hold a one-week camp that will enhance their self-esteem and gardening techniques. In the area where the camp will take place, students are not able to gain access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables readily. There is also social emotional support needed within the school community. Through this project, youth will be able to receive both, gardening and social emotional skills. This project will consist of youth planning, planting, and maintaining a garden, using the food grown to develop healthy meals for their lunch and snack. The week long camp will be used to visit gardens/farms, hold activities that promote healthy eating and self-awareness, and execute a successful garden while using the food to help those in the community. After the week-long camp is completed, youth will continue to meet to continue gleaning in the garden and having activities that will continue to strengthen their gardening skills as well as their self-esteem and self-awareness. There are 3 elementary schools within a 1-2 mile radius of the location of the garden. It is the hope of the group to begin school gardens and get the youth from the schools to participate in maintaining our garden while creating their own. This group will continue soliciting help from those with expertise in starting and maintaining gardens to help the community we serve.
