Junior Master Gardener

OSU Junior Master GardenerTM Summer Camp 2011

Connecting Children with Nature & Inspiring Environmental Stewardship

Recently over 25 youth participated in the second annual OSU Junior Master GardenerTM Summer Camp held at the Klamath County Extension office.  During the five-day camp, young garden enthusiasts, entering grades two through six, spent five, fun-filled days learning about the art and science of gardening.  Nutritious, produce-rich snacks were provided each day.  Working alongside OSU faculty and certified Master GardenerTM volunteers, campers engaged in stimulating, hands-on projects and activities that helped them establish links between plants, gardening, and healthy living.  Each day focused on a different area of gardening and the natural world.

Special guest speakers included local educator Lisa Kochenderfer, with Talk About Trees, who gave a wonderful presentation on trees and taught campers how to make paper from recycled pulp; Angela Reid, of Keno Herbs and Nursery and a veteran Master Gardener, taught the campers about the diversity of herbs in the garden and kitchen, as well as shared her passion for lady bugs; and veteran Master Gardener Martha Haas, who taught the campers about the wonders of worm farming and the benefits of vermiculture.  There were a number of other dedicated, enthusiastic Master Gardener volunteers who worked as mentors throughout the camp:  Mala Quatman, Sue Huffman, Suzie Young, Ernie Guerrero, Mary Doyle, Melba Nerida, Laura Janssen, Pam McDonald-Erbes and Roopika Subramanian.

Special thanks to Basin Indoor Gardening for generously donating live lady bugs for Angela's lesson on beneficial insects; Bonnie Nork of Bonnie Nork's Custom Baked Goods for donating delicious, homemade, healthy muffins for snack time; and Margaret Meyer, a veteran Master Gardener, who donated a great variety of home-grown plants to the camp.

If you are interested in this program, please get the 2012 enrollment forms here or e-mail Jordan Rainwater for more information.