Kids Can Grow

An Experiential Youth Gardening Program for Kids, Ages 7-12

Do you want to grow your very own crunchy, sweet carrots, juicy tomatoes, peppers, or maybe some tall sunflowers? We’re here to show you how to get started! It’s easy and fun!

Welcome to the Kids Can Grow Program, an experiential youth gardening experience! This five-month youth gardening program is designed for kids ages 7-12 on Mount Desert Island or surrounding towns. Youth will learn how to grow nutritious vegetables, herbs, and beautiful flowers for your family using intensive square-foot gardening techniques. Youth will participate in a series of 9 “hands-on” gardening classes at Maine Coast Heritage Trust in Somesville, with help from an adult volunteer mentor to assist and inspire your gardening fun!

Kids Can Grow Program traditionally includes:

  • Team building activities
  • Learning to plant and care for vegetable, herb, and flower plants
  • Learning nutritious ways to share your harvest
  • Fun and educational garden crafts
  • A fall harvest celebration to recall all the amazing skills learned during the summer

Important Information:Maine Coast Heritage Trust Logo

Located at: MCHT’s Babson Creek Community Garden in Somesville
1 Village Park, Mount Desert 04660

Cost: $20 per child (helps cover the cost of supplies, financial aid available)
Space is limited to 14 kids – first come, first served

Meeting time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Tentative Meeting Schedule: May 16 (Hybrid Q&A meeting with parents from 5:00-6:00), May 23, June 6, June 20, July 11, July 25, August 8, August 22, and September 12.

Optional Meetings at Kelley Farm: The Bar Harbor Garden Club has graciously reserved space for our gardeners at the Kelley Farm community garden. They will be hosting additional gardening days for youth starting Sunday, June 4 from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm. These meetings will continue throughout the summer and are to be held the Sunday before our Tuesday meetings. This is a great opportunity for kids to further explore gardening with helpful mentors! The farm is located at 262 Tremont Rd, Bernard, ME.

Phone: 207.667.8212
Email: extension.hancock@maine.edu

This program is sponsored by UMaine Cooperative Extension and Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).