Master Gardener: Youth Programs

Eco Expo Beaverdam Park	Late May or early June
Eco Expo is sponsored by Gloucester County and held at Beaverdam Park. This event gives 4th grade students from Gloucester, Mathews and Middlesex counties an opportunity to experience farm animals, bee keeping , farm equipment, snakes, birds, forestry and a host of other interesting subjects. Gloucester Master Gardeners have taught the Life Cycle of the Butterfly while concentrating on the Host and Nectar plants that Butterflies need to survive. Also stressed is the damage done by the use of herbicides and pesticides and loss of land areas due to development.
Ready, Set, Grow Program Local grade schools	April and May
This is an in school program that covers each fourth grade class in the six Gloucester County Schools. The county Extension Office sets the dates and times for the Master Gardeners to visit the schools. Anatomy of the daffodil bulb Eco expo and Ready, Set, Grow are programs designed to introduce students to the concept that WE are the caretakers of the planet.
Junior Master Gardener Wildlife Gardener at Beaverdam Park	2007
Wildlife Gardener Website and Junior Master Gardener Website In the JMG Wildlife Gardener program children gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the wildlife that is part of their local community by enjoying novel, hands-on project-based learning as they have fun gardening for wildlife building components of wildlife garden habitats This program is an integrated curriculum that will strengthen skills in math, science, language and social studies during engaging, one-of-a kind experiences. Junior Master Gardener is a 4-H youth development program of the cooperative Extension system Three Rivers Environmental Educators (TREE) Virginia Naturally Natural Wonders: A Guide to Early Childhood for Environmental Educators