Youth Programming

Garden Discovery Programs

Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:00am
February 8: Animals in Winter
March 14: Signs of Spring
These programs are designed for children ages 3-5 and their parent, grandparent or caregiver.  Class begins inside with an activity and storytime.  Then participants step outside (or into the Orangerie in extreme cold) for a short walk to discover what is new in the garden.  Please dress for the weather so you and a child can be the first to see the Witch Hazel bloom or the snowdrops poke through the ground!
Cost per class:  Member $5, Nonmember $8, per adult/child pair. Click on the program titles above to register.

Youth Gardening Program

Tower Hill Farm School's Youth Gardening Program completed its eighth year in 2011, with many enthusiastic participants and volunteers. Spring students started tomatoes, peppers, cabbages, broccoli and much more from seed. Spring and summer session youth gardeners planted, harvested and tasted a wide variety of crops—from asparagus to zucchini! Cooking, crafts, scavenger hunts and garden walks added to the fun. Summer Youth Gardeners enjoyed participating in Tower Hill's Summer Flower and Vegetable Show. Come to Shades of Autumn on Columbus Day weekend to see a student-designed garden display!

Most programs occur at the Stoddard Education and Visitor Center. If you would like to register for one of the programs, or have a hard-copy version of Learn With Us!, the New England School of Gardening (NESOG) class & program schedule, please contact the Education Department at 508.869.6111 x124.

Junior Steward Program

The Junior Steward Program is a leadership opportunity for teens, ages 12 to 17, who are interested in gardening, the outdoors and working as a mentor with younger children.

Junior Stewards learn about:

• Planting, caring for and harvesting their own vegetables and flowers
• Cooking, preparing (and eating!) their crops
• How plants grow, from seed to seed
• The gardens and woods of Tower Hill Botanic Garden
• Participating in a country fair and Tower Hill's annual fall event, "Shades of Autumn"

Session-long commitment is preferred. Ages 14-17 work with children in Kindergarten through Grade 5; ages 12-13 work with children in Kindergarten through Grade 2.

Call 508.869.6111 x124 for further information.