MASTER GARDENERS AND YMCA TEAM UP For 4-H CAMP!
Every summer, children from Bedford County are afforded the opportunity to attend 4-H camp. This week-long program, from July 22nd thru July 26th, at the W.E. Skelton 4H Education and Conference Center, gives kids, ages 9 thru 13, the option of participating in activities that include, but are not limited to, basic horsemanship, riflery, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, volleyball, outdoor adventures, cooking, archery, and performing arts. They also learn life skills in a cooperative group living environment.
In addition to providing material support and volunteers, the Bedford Extension Master Gardeners provide yearly scholarships to deserving children for the 4-H Camp experience. This year, seven children from the Bedford YMCA gardening program have been selected for scholarships that are supplemented by the Bedford Extension Master Gardeners and the YMCA 21st Century Grant Program. These are children who have wanted to attend but have not been able to afford the fee. This is a natural fit for all of the organizations involved.
A self-sustaining teaching garden for the Bedford YMCA was the brain child of Mary Jo Boone, CEO of the Bedford YMCA. With help from Mark and Allison Angelini of Mountain Run Permaculture in Sedalia, Virginia, and other hardworking volunteers, gardens of veggies, herbs, perennials, berries, nut trees, plus one bee hive were created on land adjacent to the YMCA. A water cistern and composters contribute to the success of the project. Gardening programs such as “How To Start Your Very Own Garden”, a ten-week curriculum for 4th and 5th graders this past spring, featured seed-starting, transplanting, tree planting, composting, soil structure, recycling and more.
This summer, Bedford and Montvale Elementary schools will participate in a four-session summer school program at the YMCA gardens. Bedford Extension Master Gardeners are on hand to help both teach and assist the students with their projects. These “hands in the soil” programs enhance school curriculum, give the students a better understanding of where their food comes from and a better understanding of the environment and their responsibilities toward it.
Developing decision making and cooperative learning as well as promoting physical fitness are all goals of the Bedford YMCA rubric. These programs are supported by the Bedford Extension Master Gardeners and the 21st Century Grant Program. Many thanks to all who work so hard to make the Bedford community such a great place to live!
Submitted by Sue Becker
Bedford Extension Master Gardener
–A Bedford Area Master Gardeners Association (BAMGA) Publication–