Youth Programming
Herbalism provides an experiential entry point for children to explore a variety of topics. The options feel endless! From the history of human and plant migration to food preservation technologies, from the impact of humans on local ecosystems to collaboration and mutual aid, an herbalism practice is concrete space for kids to learn about history, science, social studies, math, and social emotional competencies.
Check out our various offerings for kids ages 2-11!
No one turned away for lack of funds. Email hello@gathergrow.org and we will work with you so that your child can participate.
SPROUTS
Wednesday Mornings
September 10th- November 12th
9:30-11am
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Ages 2-4 with a caregiver present
Long Dock Park, Beacon NY
$375 for 10 sessions
Over the course of the fall semester, we will form a learning community focused on place-based environmental education, artistic expression, social emotional growth, and liberatory frameworks. We will sing songs, read books, hike and play in different areas of the park, investigate the flora and fauna around us, and make art together. Each session includes snack, which is included in the program cost.
The unique environment at Long Dock will be the focal point of our program. We aim to enrich your child’s appreciation and care for the outdoors as we learn together. Our curricular model is emergent, allowing children to investigate their unique interests and inform future projects through play and conversation. Because of this, specific topics are not set in stone but may include: sewing seed satchels for pollinator gardens, sculpting with local river clay, making paints and dyes from invasive species, or using flotsam and found objects to create art.
This program is led by Jill Teitsworth and Christina Noyes. This is not a drop-off program.
SEEDLINGS
Monday Afternoons
October 6th - November 3rd
3:30-4:45pm
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Ages 3-5
Location TBD
$200 for 6 sessions
Seedlings is a 6-week after school session for kids ages 3-5. This is an outdoor program, where we spend time learning how all of nature-- including us humans-- is connected. We use tactile and exploratory pedagogy to make learning engaging and meaningful for young kids. Each session revolves around one of the 5 senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell and gets us exploring the plants and animals living around us in a hands-on way. We also sing songs, read books, drink tea, and herbcraft. Like all Gather & Grow programming, Seedlings approaches herbalism from a social justice lens. We explore relevant topics of justice, inclusion, and access as they arise throughout the curriculum, and create a learning environment where kids are supported to think about ideas in new ways. This program is led by Ashley Lamphere and Christina Noyes.
GATHER & GROW
AFTER SCHOOL
Join us for an afternoon of herbcrafting! This program is focused on learning more about specific plants and different ways we can work with them medicinally. Each time we gather, we will meet and work with one plant and learn about a related herbcraft. Kids will get the chance to make herbal preparations such as simple syrups, tea blends, infused oils, salves and hydrosols. At the end of the program, kids will take home their own mini-apothecary of tools and herbs to continue herbcrafting at home.
Over the course of the program, we will explore social justice topics such as:
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historical migration & colonization
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respecting Indigenous knowledge & cultural appropriation
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ethical sourcing of plants
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treating plants as beings as opposed to "resources"
This program is offered for two age groups: 5-8 year and 8-12. The flow and content are similar, but we may move at different paces and dive more deeply into specific topics depending on the group of kids and their interests. If you have an 8 year old, you can choose which group you think is the right fit.
Wednesday Afternoons
September 10th- October 15th
4:15 - 5:45pm
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Location: One Nature Plant Nursery in Beacon
$250 for 6 sessions
Ages 5-8
Tuesday Afternoons
September 9th- October 14th
4:15- 5:45pm
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Location: One Nature Plant Nursery in Beacon
$250 for 6 sessions
Ages 8-11
