Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County’s Garden Science Investigator Camp Was a Great Success!
The Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers of Lenoir County (EMGVs) held their week-long summer camp in June, Garden Science Investigators (GSI)! The camp hosted 10 campers, ranging in ages from 8-13, went on field-trips to various places, and most importantly were introduced to a huge variety of horticulture topics. The curriculum utilized was developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (Junior Master Gardener Teacher & Leader Guide, Level One), which aligns with the mission of the NC Extension Master GardenerSM Training Course.
The Garden Science Investigators learned about plant parts, needs, uses, and different propagation methods. The GSI youth scraped aloe gel from an aloe plant and mixed it into unscented lotion creating their own aloe lotion during a portion of the lesson. The campers also traveled to The University of Mount Olive (UMO) for a hands-on propagation workshop with Dr. Jennifer Bradley, Associate Professor of Plant Science in the UMO School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences greenhouse on campus. They were able to see and do leaf and stem propagation in water and in plant media and were excited to each bring home a box with their own propagated materials! They also learned about hydroponic gardening as another method of growing plants. Field Crop Agent Rachel Howell led a discussion about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and GSIs were able to create a GMO as a class and discuss the changes they chose in the new DNA.
A local carnivorous plant enthusiast, Lyndon McCall owner of Nahunga Creek Tropicals, brought in many different carnivorous plants including many species of Venus fly trap, sundew, and pitcher plants. He highlighted the Venus fly trap’s importance to our state and discussed how it is a native plant to us, found within a 100-mile radius to the grassy wetlands of the Cape Fear.
The campers refreshed their understanding of the water-cycle and discussed the impact of weather on growing plants. They each built a weather station complete with a rain gauge and thermometer to take home and place in their garden area or landscape. Consumer Horticulture Agent Paige Petticrew discussed the importance of soil health and different soils from NC were shown. Sand, silt, and clay was discussed and campers were able to use the example soils and determined the percentage of each component in each sample to share with the class.
The GSIs also had a lesson in the EMGVs Children’s Garden! The campers learned about square foot, or grid planting and were able to create their own garden plan using this method on paper, and also in the raised beds. After their Children’s Garden visit, they toured the Lenoir County Farmers Market and learned about the many vegetables and fruits from local farms that were available there. This was followed by a lesson led by our Family and Consumer Science Agent, Kelly Tyndall, on the importance of good nutrition and this can start in the garden. Kelly aided the campers in a discussion about the importance of eating healthy and trying new foods. Each camper made their own focaccia bread using fresh vegetables and enjoyed their own creation.
The importance of pollinators was made real to the GSIs by finding and identifying insects in the raised beds on the Lenoir County Extension Campus and during their tour of the EMGVs Children’s Garden. Campers also learned about different kinds of bees, and investigated the bee hotel, a home for solitary bees, on the Extension campus. The different mouthparts of insects was also a topic of discussion followed by the “acting out” of how you would eat if you had those mouthparts (sucking, lapping, chewing.) This lesson always ends with many giggles as it is more difficult than it sounds!
The campers participated in an intergenerational event by having one class at the Lenoir County Council on Aging, Inc. The campers etched the leaves of different herbs and each camper gave a presentation about an herb. The campers help the seniors pot herb plants discussed to take home. The class then ends with a light-hearted competitive game of garden bingo with the GSI and seniors!
Another highlight of the course is learning about colors in the landscape and natural dyes, and where they originated. The campers also “toured” the Extension Office landscape with an empty dozen-egg carton where each empty slot is colored a different color and they have to find these colors in the landscape. It is then discussed how colors make up a landscape and where they were found. This lesson concludes with the opportunity to tie dye their own camp t-shirt with the GSI logo on it.
The GSI were also taken on a field trip to the Lenoir County landfill to see where all of our garbage goes, and the cost that comes with it. They were able to see garbage being offloaded as well as where white goods, construction material, and limbs are taken throughout the site. This is followed by a class on proper ways of disposal and not littering. The focus is on recycling as an important way of keeping our land clean and productive. Composting is also taught to the campers as a great gardening tool, as well as a way to utilize food scraps in this rather than throwing the food away to end up in the landfill.
Throughout the camp the Garden Science Investigators gained valuable hands-on experience while developing a greater appreciation for plants, agriculture, conservation, and healthy living. The Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County and the Consumer Horticulture Program are proud to invest in the next generation by providing engaging educational opportunities that inspire, help build confidence, and encourage youth through horticulture efforts to be good stewards of the environment. Every speaker, lesson planner, and coordinator throughout the week helped make this a great experience! Marsha Lovick, GSI Committee Chair stated, “Our hope is that these young people, while introduced to the art and science of gardening, have also been introduced to leadership and life skills that will lead them to become good citizens and good stewards of our planet,” attesting to the importance of the topics learned. Paige Petticrew, Consumer Horticulture Agent, stated, “It is always empowering to hear the confidence in the camper’s voices by the end of the week when asked horticulture related questions. They learn SO many topics in such a short amount of time… it is great to hear how they want to go home and immediately start their own gardens or improve their existing ones.”
**For more information on our program and events follow our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/lenoirmastergardeners . You can also follow the Extension Office in Lenoir County’s facebook page for events, https://www.facebook.com/NCCELenoirCounty/ . For questions about how to enroll your youth in this camp for 2027, how to become an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Lenoir County, or for questions on horticulture topics please call the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension at 252-527-2191, or email Paige Petticrew at paige_petticrew@ncsu.edu
