Today, was the last event of the 2015 season! We started the day by tending to the garden. The usual weeding and watering was thankfully ended with the reward of harvesting our plot. The kids and their parents were able to dig up a few carrots, some radishes and gathered a lot of lettuce, peas, chard, thyme and sage!
We were so fortunate to have Nikita Scringer, top 25 contestant on MasterChef Canada and fundraiser for the 2015 season of Kids Grow, lead the day's activities. She sent them off on a scavenger hunt around the garden to find items to collect and put in their very own fairy gardens. Nikita was really engaging and patient with the kids as she helped them create some sample fairy garden with the trinkets they found on their scavenger hunt, she explained about how seasons change, and all the change that comes to plants and trees when autumn rolls around.
After creating some sample fairy gardens with the kids and scavenging for more rocks, sticks and grasses that could be used for their own fairy gardens, the kids had a snack of carrots and bell peppers in the orchard, followed by story time. We read two different stories and the kids enjoyed them very much! The first was about a pumpkin patch, and the second was about planting a little seed and exercising patience in helping it grow throughout the season. Afterwards, the kids played their favourite game: Capture the Crops! We played about four rounds before everyone decided they were tired and thirsty and it was time for the sharing circle. We shared our favourite moments, games, stories, snacks and speakers from the summer.
Thank you so much to all of the volunteers for all of your hard work and contributions to this summer's programming. Without the support, leadership, expertise and generosity of the strong team of volunteers, this program would not be able to run! We would also like to thank everyone that came out to participate in our programming; children, parents, friends and family. Whether you came once, three times or showed up every week, the dedication towards gaining an education around food and gardening as well as supporting small but uprising community programs and spending quality time with your child investing in their education is very much appreciated!
We are really hoping to continue programming in Sunnyside next summer in addition to expanding the program in upcoming years. We are seeking a local organization interested in one or more of the following; food, education, community building, and gardening, to form a partnership with for the summer of 2016. To inquire about this opportunity, please contact Anisha at KidsGrowGardening@Gmail.com.
