Dirt. Water. Seeds. Small hands carefully prepare raised beds at the Alaska Botanical Garden in east Anchorage. Children listen as instructor Pat Ryan weaves an intricate story about soil composition and why some plants grow better in rocky soil, requiring less drainage and more water. They identify squiggly bugs under tender leaves, bees bobbing from flower to flower, and birds singing from nearby trees. This is what it means to be a gardener in the Alaska outdoors.
The Alaska Botanical Garden's Junior Master Gardener day camp, modeled after a national program out of Texas A&M University, is about far more than simply growing a row of radishes or lettuce. It's a doorway into Alaska's food sources, native plants, and ultimately, the state's sustainability.
Tucked away on more than 100 acres of birch and spruce forestland, this botanical garden, and many others around the world, is often viewed by kids as an "adult-only" place where grownups wander among flowers, trees, and shrubs to get ideas for their own plots at home. Yawn.
Not so fast. Educator and Master Gardener Patrick Ryan had an idea, introducing the internationally-recognized Junior Master Gardener program to Anchorage in 2003. A former first-grade teacher with 21 years of classroom experience, Ryan has a knack for connecting with young people, and a love of gardens, so the match was as perfect as a summer strawberry.
"I get to walk into a forest every day to go to work, and then play in a garden. I think I have the best job in town," he said.
With a motto of "Growing Good Kids," Anchorage's Junior Master Gardener program has transitioned over the years to a day camp model, offering kids in grades two through six the opportunity to plant, monitor, and harvest a crop of edibles during an eight-week session. Under the watchful eye of Ryan, campers lovingly tend their raised beds, weeding and transplanting while learning the basics of gardening technique, botany, soil science, nutrition and ecology. They don't know this, however, Ryan said.
"My goal is to have the students learn to be aware of their surroundings and recognize local flora," he added. "I want them to point out wildflowers to their parents on a family camping trip. I want them to recognize garden weeds and insect pests, and understand the role they play in nature."
It's not all about a specific crop, either. Kids who participate in Junior Master Gardener day camps are able to witness the seasonal birth of Alaska Botanical Garden's diverse range of plants and flowers specific to northern climates. That's important, said Ryan, because kids who live in Alaska should know what does and doesn't grow here.
"I've added an Alaskan element to the classes by having the students learn about native plants, including wildflowers, trees and shrubs and invasive species," Ryan said.
A new Anchorage Heritage Garden at the Alaska Botanical Garden (anchoragecentennial.org/events/anchorage-heritage-garden) was created in partnership with the Anchorage Centennial Celebration, and is full of plants commonly seen in community gardens between 1915 and 1950. An Alaskan Kitchen Garden is currently on exhibit as well, showcasing edible herbs, flowers, and vegetables to illustrate to visitors the value of biodiversity and sustainability when growing food.
The concept of community is further driven home by donations of produce to Bean's Cafe and the Children's Lunchbox, tangible ways for kids to see how fruits of their labors benefit others.
In a three-hour weekly session with Ryan, kids might hike around one of the Alaska Botanical Garden's three trails and six gardens, learning about plants, trees, and creatures that flourish among the flowering petals and lush green foliage. Sometimes they'll listen to a nature-themed story or poem. They'll test soils and inspect leaves, and ultimately choose which seeds to plant in raised beds within the designated Junior Master Gardener plot.
This is serious business, Ryan said. Creating a batch of carrots from a tiny seed no bigger than a speck requires patience, dedication, and a little dose of faith.
That's the essence of gardening, at any age, Ryan said, and kids love it.
Alaska Botanical Garden Junior Master Gardener Day Camp begins June 2 and lasts eight weeks. Kids entering grades two through six are welcome. Cost for the full session is $140 per child. Registration is available via www.alaskabg.org, or by calling 907-770-3692.
Alaska Botanical Garden is open seven days a week, year-round, during daylight hours. Summer admission rates are $10 adults, $8 kids ages 5-17. Many former campers bring their parents and friends to the garden to walk the trails and admire plants grown during summer sessions. It can be buggy in this forested area, so apply repellant, and consider a hat and long sleeves.
Top 3 family-friendly farms, gardens
• Alaska Botanical Garden, Anchorage: Programs for kids and adults to learn about gardening, botany, agriculture, and Alaska's native plants via gardens, trails, classes, and regular events geared toward children. www.alaskabg.org, 907-770-3692.
• Spring Creek Farm/Kellogg Farm, operated by Alaska Pacific University, Palmer: Community-supported agriculture program, farm tours by appointment, homeschool curriculum, volunteer opportunities for teens with a desire to learn more about farming and agriculture. 907-982-3122, www.outdooreducationalaska.org.
• Calypso Farm and Ecology Center, Ester (near Fairbanks): Working farm, community and school-based gardening classes and events. Field trips and tours available, with a heavy emphasis on hands-on learning. 907-451-0691, www.calypsofarm.org.
Erin Kirkland is author of "Alaska on the Go: Exploring the 49th State with Children, " and publisher of AKontheGO.com, the state's only family travel resource. She is currently working on a second book, due next year.