Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada Cultivates Vegetables and Local Youth with Be Green Garden Program
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada (BGCSNV) planted their first seeds at the Lied Memorial Clubhouse teaching garden on Wednesday October 22, 2014.
Children, volunteers, parents and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada Staff dig in to plant vegetables, flowers and fruits
Through the support of the Brendan Mann Foundation and in partnership with Green Our Planet and Garden Farms, the Boys & Girls Clubs celebrated their inaugural teaching garden program with the children, some dressed as farmers, flowers and vegetables, planting their first seeds.
Children Lynette, Roxi, Alex, Andrea, Max and Rhiana dress up in garden theme to plant the first seeds at Lied Memorial Clubhouse
BGCSNV will impact approximately 400 youth through a program called BE Green Garden program in the span of one year. This initial program will educate 5-18 year old Club members and their families about healthy nutrition, how to grow vegetables and incorporate cooking demonstrations to show youth how to prepare simple but healthy recipes.
Children’s art thanking partners Brendan Mann Foundation, Green Our Planet and Garden Farms adorn the garden’s surrounding fence
Age-specific educational programs like USDA’s “Grow it, Try It, Like It!” and “Garden Detectives” along with the Jr. Master Gardener teen program will supplement the hands on lessons. Art projects and family harvesting parties encourage additional participation and involvement as part of the overall goal of the program.
“Studies have shown that hands-on environmental education improves both test scores and nutrition. This is the first teaching garden of many we plan to build at our other Boys & Girls Club locations”, says BGCSNV President and CEO Brian P. Knudsen. Future plans include a Boys & Girls Clubs Farmer’s market operated by the kids, featuring Club grown fruits, vegetables and flowers along with fresh eggs from Club chickens and kid’s art.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada is a nonprofit organization that operates 15 facilities and two summer outreach programs in Southern Nevada, and serves more than 21,000 youth in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Southern Highlands and Summerlin. These Clubhouses offer children ages K-12th grade a variety of daily creative, fun and educational programs. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada works to provide every child with equal access, hope and opportunity. Keep up with BGC events and news on Facebook and Twitter. For more information visit www.bgcsnv.org or call 702-367-2582.