WHY A NEW CAMP AND EDUCATION BUILDING?

By Thaddeus Thompson

Moreover, early experiences with plants, gardening and natural ecology have been shown to correlate strongly with sustained improvements in physical and mental health, as well as to positive attitudes in adulthood towards plants and the environment.

Those are among the central concerns behind Berkshire Botanical Garden’s significant investment in our Farm in the Garden Camp.

We are all well aware of the seductive lure of technology and increasing alienation of our youth from nature. These factors have contributed to an epidemic of “nature deficit disorder” and to declines in academic performance and health, including high rates of obesity, juvenile diabetes and depression.

BBG’s Farm in the Garden Camp — and the increasingly diverse range of experiential programs we offer for children and families — has provided a counterpoint to this trend of our youth’s alienation from nature and the outdoors. It provides time, space and guidance for children to engage in purposeful play in an energizing and kind garden community. Our campers plant seeds, collect eggs, harvest vegetables, go on nature walks, create botanical crafts, and so much more. They also learn about ecology and the importance of healthy ecosystems, both of flora and fawna.

Equally important, our Farm in the Garden Camp focuses on relationshipbuilding and social-emotional learning to help each camper develop necessary life skills that they can take with them when camp is over.

While the results of these efforts have been encouraging, our vision is to fulfill this promise by expanding and enhancing our capacity to deliver programs for youth and families, and in particular our Farm in the Garden Camp. We are pleased to say our new camp structure will provide much needed dedicated space for children and youth. Our goal for each camper is to keep the spirit of the Farm in the Garden Camp in their heart, even when they are not here.