The center island and community garden at the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield has taken root and begun to grow thanks to the efforts of the Seaside Gardeners of Marshfield and the Keystone Club.
Last year, the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s Keystone Club helped the Seaside Gardeners transfer plants from an island that they were converting to predominantly native plants, and beautify the Club’s center island. Seaside Gardeners shared their expertise, teaching Boys & Girls Club members about plants and providing tips for the Club’s community garden.
The Seaside Gardeners, the oldest garden club in the town, returned to the Boys & Girls Club in April to start seedlings and this month to work on the community garden with the kids. The Club’s gardening program involves youth from Kindergarten to grade 12, with the teens getting involved as staff, but learning from the adults. This summer, the community garden will be part of the Club’s summer camp program, and the children will help tend it. Along with that, a specialty cooking camp will be offered, which will use food grown in the garden.
“The children have been very enthusiastic about planting the seeds, watering them and watching them grow,” said Linda Hughes of Seaside Gardeners of Marshfield. “Many children express how much fun they are having and can’t wait to harvest their crops.”
“We are very excited about our partnership with the Seaside Gardeners and expanding on enrichment and STEM activities through our outdoor classroom gardens,” noted Jim Bunnell, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield. The Club has applied for grants to expand the educational program and is currently seeking other funding opportunities.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield
The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s mission is to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders. The Club provides programming opportunities in the Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) five core areas including leadership, education, health, arts, and fitness. The Club serves families with children ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old, and provides critical services the community needs to support children and families over the short- and long-term. For more information, visit their website www.bgcmarshfield.org or call 781-834-2582.
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