Youth Gardens

The Youth Gardens are a series of educational demonstration gardens grown and maintained for the annual Youth Summer Garden Camp hosted by the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners in Cumberland County.

Upcoming Programs

Tuesdays, June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, and August 6, 9am-12pm: Youth Summer Garden Camp series; Ages 7-12

Youth ages 7-12 are invited to the Youth Summer Garden Camp series hosted by the Penn State Master Gardeners of Cumberland County. Each camp is held at the Penn State Extension office located at 310 Allen Road in Carlisle. Led by our dedicated Penn State Master Gardener volunteers, activities include garden work, science lessons, crafts, games, and exploration. Campers will cultivate a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, taking home their harvest and donating surplus produce to Project SHARE in Carlisle. Campers are encouraged to bring a water bottle and wear closed-toe shoes. The camp runs rain or shine, both indoors and outdoors. Parents/guardians must sign in campers from 8:45 AM-9:00 AM and sign them out promptly at 12:00 PM at the Penn State Extension office. A mid-morning snack will be provided. Campers are encouraged to bring their own snack if they have special dietary requirements or specific food allergies. Cost is $10 per camp session. Choose to register for one, a few, or all the camp sessions. Registration is by camp date. Online pre-registration is required.

June 11: It's Garden Time!

Youth will receive a garden hat and plant the Youth Garden at the Penn State Extension office. Learn about seeds and proper planting methods, how to read a seed packet, watering techniques, and garden pests that challenge our growing efforts. Learn about our local landfill and composting. Join us as we get ready for a big summer harvest! Register by June 6.

June 25: Dig into Root Crops!

Unearth the fun as we learn about some “un-beet-able” root crops: carrots, radishes, beets, turnips and parsnips! We’ll get to the root of these earthy vegetables as we plant, care for, and harvest them. Create a take home root vegetable masterpiece using a variety of art media. Register by June 20.

July 9: Fungi is not Frightening!

Meet a local mushroom grower and learn all about edible mushrooms like shiitake, oyster and lion's mane. Learn about shiitake mushroom logs and how to grow edible mushrooms you see at a grocery store or farmers market. Make a fun wooden mushroom craft to take home! Mushrooms will not be eaten at this camp. Register by July 4.

July 23: Chirping in the Garden! - Click here to register online today!

Make your own bird feeder and learn how to attract native birds and insects to your garden. Learn about native plants and how to create an environment to support native birds and insects. Register by July 18.

August 6: Garden Flavor in the Kitchen! - Click here to register online today!

Learn how to prepare your garden produce safely to make flavorful dishes. Meet Jason Clark, local chef of Cura Hospitality, who will demonstrate how to use delicious herbs to make meals fun. Take home freshly made pesto from camp! Register by August 1.

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Saturday, November 16, 10am-12pm: Wildlife Tree Ornament Workshop; Ages 5-14

Come anytime during workshop hours, 10am-12pm. Registration details will be available in September/October. Walk-ins will be accepted.

Master Gardener Youth Programs

Youth Summer Garden Camp is a series of five camp sessions over the summer from June through August for youth ages 7 to 12. Youth tend garden areas, growing produce and flowers, with expert guidance from the Penn State Master Gardeners of Cumberland County. Campers learn about seeds, soil, composting, plants, pollination, and the environment in structured sessions that include time for working in the garden, science activities, projects, games, snacks, and exploration. Each session includes tasks in the garden, such as planting, weeding, watering, mulching, scouting for pests, and harvesting. Campers also record weather statistics, soil temperatures, and harvest data. Produce harvested from these gardens is distributed to youth and their families who participate in the camp and is also donated to Project SHARE to reduce food insecurity for Cumberland County residents.

Penn State Master Gardeners also host two Saturday workshops at the Extension Office for youth and their families. The Mother's Day Container Workshop is held on the first Saturday in May for youth to plant and take home a container of annuals and herbs with an ornament and card to gift on Mother's Day. The Wildlife Tree Ornament Workshop is held on a Saturday in November for youth to make and take home a series of outdoor wildlife feeders and ornaments from natural materials to provide food for birds and other wildlife during the winter.

Visiting the Gardens

The Youth Gardens are located at the Cumberland County Service Center at 310 Allen Road in Carlisle, which houses the Penn State Extension office in Cumberland County.

Parking for the gardens is available in the front parking lot accessible from Allen Road and the back parking lot accessible from Logistics Drive or the driveway connecting the front and back parking lots. Please do not park on the grass.

The garden is open daily to the public, free of charge, from dawn to dusk. Enjoy your visit and thank you for stopping by!