Kids’ Kamp Registration Open

The Bluebonnet Master Gardeners is pleased and proud to announce its fifth year of holding Kids’ Kamp in Washington, Colorado, Fayette, and Austin Counties. This program is structured to provide a “hands on” educational experience with the goal of introducing youth of our area to the fun and importance of gardening, soils, water conservation, and insects.

Students ranging from 10- 13 years of age will be eligible to register for these three-day camps with a maximum of 15 in each county. Topics include recycling, organic gardening, mulches and compost, erosion control, and insect identification.

Children will complete and take home a garden art project and a bee house to attract pollinators to their own yards. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is providing a Stream Trailer so children can see how rivers run and the importance of erosion control. AgriLife is also providing a “smoothie bike” where attendees will pedal to provide energy to operate a blender and make themselves a smoothie.

In addition to learning to use a dichotomous key to identify insects and the importance of pollinators for gardens and crops, attendees will also have car races motored by live crickets.

Kids’ Kamp is designed to be educational but fun and promote a love of gardening and an appreciation of our environment. Bluebonnet Master Gardener instructors and interns volunteer to teach, assist, prepare healthy daily snacks, and arrange fun activities. Children will be encouraged to get outdoors, exert energy, and use their imaginations constructively.

Kamps run for three days (Tuesday-Thursday) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The cost is $30 per child. Kamp Dates for Washington County is May 31 to June 2, Colorado County is June 14-16, Fayette County is June 21-23, and Austin County is June 28-30.

Registration forms can be obtained at the AgriLife Extension offices in each county or online at https://txmg.org/bluebonnet/kidskamp/. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 20.