Christin Riddick, Youth Program Manager, felt that implementing these new self-guided experiences was the most challenging part of this spring’s programs. He and the team had many ideas of what they wanted to offer for these experiences, but it took some trial and error to find which would be the most successful. Max Skoglund, Youth Programs Educator, found it particularly rewarding when some of these new activities hit their mark and engaged visitors with the Youth Garden. His favorite activity was having visitors make nature-based self portraits from plants they foraged around the garden and arranged on tree stumps and tables. This activity encourages exploration, self expression, and creativity, and is a great way for people to see themselves in the nature around them.
For Christin and Max, some of their most memorable experiences with students are getting to see their faces as they try sorrel for the first time, or watching them make and taste hummus together. One student was so in love with the garden that he asked for a job and started talking about all the things he would implement to make the space even better. Even though he was only in second grade, Christin was impressed that he was a man with a plan.
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