Hello Orca Gardeners! 

With all the moving going on at the Columbia Building this summer, we will unfortunately not be able to have a garden summer camp for Orca students.  So, with that in mind, I have come up with some resources so you and your little ones will not have to spend the summer garden-less!

Seattle Tilth has exceptional summer programs for kids of all ages.  You can check out their website at http://www.seattletilth.org/kids/childrensgarden  Some other local garden and environmental education related programs in town are the University of Washington Day Camp at the Arboretum http://www.summer.washington.edu/syp/ and Seattle Parks and Recreation Environmental Learning Programs http://www.seattle.gov/Parks/environment/brochures/Summer07.pdf

For something a little less structured, try taking your family on a walk through some of the city’s gorgeous summer gardens.  There are some amazing gardens in the south end like Bradner Gardens and Kubota Gardens.  A list of these wonderful places is available through Seattle Parks and Recreation at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/events/summercitygardens.htm

Of course, if you have space to grow your own garden, there is no better place for a child to learn and have fun than in your own sunny, summer backyard.  Check out his article from the Seattle Times for tips and ideas on how to garden with children http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2003708235_gardenchildren16.html?syndication=rss

Last but not least, the Orca Garden Committee will still be planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops in various locations for summer and into the next school year.  Volunteers who are interested in spending summer days weeding, watering and all that fun stuff, should get in contact with T.A. McCann or Lizzie Zemke from the Orca Garden Committee.