{"id":24691,"date":"2026-03-30T13:12:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T20:12:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/?page_id=24691"},"modified":"2026-05-19T09:49:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:49:59","slug":"childrens-garden-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/childrens-garden-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Children&#8217;s Garden Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-hero wsu-width--full wsu-pattern--wsu-light-radial-left  wsu-hero--size-small wsu-hero--style-boxed \">\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__background\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image-frame--fill\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2023\/06\/20190723_100914-1-scaled-1-rotated.jpg\"\n\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2023\/06\/20190723_100914-1-scaled-1-rotated.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2023\/06\/20190723_100914-1-scaled-1-rotated.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2023\/06\/20190723_100914-1-scaled-1-rotated.jpg 729w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2023\/06\/20190723_100914-1-scaled-1-rotated.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2023\/06\/20190723_100914-1-scaled-1-rotated.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2023\/06\/20190723_100914-1-scaled-1-rotated.jpg 2048w\"\n\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\n\t\talt=\"View of raised beds at Dirt Works with lush vegetation. Buckets are on the pathway next to the beds, ready for the children to harvest the produce.\"\n\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 32% 51%\"\n\t\t\/>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__overlay\">\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content-wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__inner-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"wsu-hero__title\">Children&#8217;s Garden<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__caption\">FREE Gardening Programs for children ages 4-12 years old<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content\">\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"breadcrumbs \" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\"><span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to WSU Extension.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"main-home\" ><span property=\"name\">WSU Extension<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span> &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to Thurston County.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\" class=\"home\" ><span property=\"name\">Thurston County<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span> &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to News.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/news\/\" class=\"post-root post post-post\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">News<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"3\"><\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-spacing-before--default wsu-spacing-top--default wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-decorator  wsu-decorator--style-lines-crimson\" style=\"top:-16.6355px;left:18.6837%;height:80.9182%;width:26.8634%\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-overlap wsu-overlap-spotlight  wsu-overlap-spotlight--style-left-middle\">\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-overlap__container\">\r\n        <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column wsu-overlap--overlap-large\">\r\n            <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n                <div class=\"wsu-overlap-spotlight__image   wsu-notch--medium\">\r\n                    <div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-3-4\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Garden-worm-composting-729x547.jpg\"\r\n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Garden-worm-composting-729x547.jpg 729w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Garden-worm-composting-396x297.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Garden-worm-composting-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Garden-worm-composting-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Garden-worm-composting-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\"\r\n                        sizes=\"(max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\"\r\n                        alt=\"Wood chips in the demo garden\"\r\n                        style=\"object-position: 23% 43%\"\r\n                        \/>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column wsu-overlap--surface-column wsu-overlap--overlap-large\">\r\n            <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n                <div class=\"wsu-overlap-spotlight__caption  wsu-dropshadow--medium\">\r\n                    \n\n<p>Join us for summer fun and hands-on learning in the Dirt Works Children\u2019s Garden!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>WSU Master Gardener &amp; Master Recycler Composter volunteers teach children gardening and environmental science education through fun and creative activities.&nbsp; Young gardeners are introduced to the art and science of gardening while developing community service values.<\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-border--color-midnight\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<section  class=\"wsu-section wsu-dropshadow--low wsu-spacing-before--none wsu-spacing-after--xxmedium wsu-spacing-top--medium\"  >\r\n        \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">More information &#8211; WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Program<\/h2>\n\n\n    <nav class=\"wsu-navigation-vertical wsu-vertical-menu\">\n        <ul id=\"wsu-site-menu\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse wsu-menu-collapse--style-vertical\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/\">WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/about\/\">About the WSU Master Gardener Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/gardening-composting-recycling-question-and-answer-clinic\/\">Have a gardening, composting, recycling question?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/demonstration-gardens\/\">Demonstration Gardens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/community-events-and-outreach\/\">Events and Outreach<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/childrens-garden-program\/\">Children\u2019s Garden Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/resources\/\">Gardening, Composting, and Recycling Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/greenschool\/\">Join Us! Washington Green School<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/the-one-stop-shop-toss\/\">Volunteers Only \u2013 T.O.S.S. (password-protected)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/2025mgtrainee\/\">Volunteers Only &#8211; 2025 MG Trainee Webpage (password-protected)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/mc\/\">Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Program<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/nav>\n\n    <\/section>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Interested in other gardening and waste reduction programs?<\/em> Click the button below to subscribe. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta \" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/lp.constantcontactpages.com\/sl\/u1UHJPe\/TheProgramPost\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tSubscribe to our e-newsletter\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked wsu-heading--mark-color-crimson\">Learn in the garden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Each program includes hands-on activities based on a different theme. Activities are designed to promote a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Example activities include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Tending and harvesting fruits and vegetables<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Playing garden games<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Storytime<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take-home crafts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The bounty raised from the garden is donated to the Thurston County Food Bank.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"729\" height=\"972\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/lifecycle-childrens-garden-729x972.jpg\" alt=\"Colored drawing of a cycle of growth of a sunflower from seed to mature plant, including steps: seed to germinated seed, to seedling, to young plant to full grown mature plant.\" class=\"wp-image-24697\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/lifecycle-childrens-garden-729x972.jpg 729w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/lifecycle-childrens-garden-396x528.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/lifecycle-childrens-garden-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/lifecycle-childrens-garden-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/lifecycle-childrens-garden-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/03\/lifecycle-childrens-garden-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row  wsu-color-background--gray-0 wsu-row--single\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-border--color-goldfinch wsu-border--add-bottom\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Important Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants must be between 4-12 years old<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parents or guardians must accompany children at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants must be Thurston County residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This program is designed for individuals\/families, <strong>no large groups<\/strong> (i.e. day cares, youth camps etc.)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row  wsu-color-background--gray-0 wsu-row--halves\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked wsu-heading--mark-color-crimson\">2026 Program Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Tuesdays 10 a.m. to noon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Garden location: Dirt Works Demonstration Garden, 530 Alta Street SW, Olympia WA 98502<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>July 21 &#8211; Garden Explorers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>July 28 &#8211; No class this week. Instead, we&#8217;ll be at the Thurston County Fair. Join us there for fun activities. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>August 4 &#8211; Eat the Rainbow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>August 11 &#8211; Wildlife in the Garden<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>August 18 &#8211; Miniature Gardening: Fairies and Fun<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>August 25 &#8211; Rad Recyclers: Slugs, Bugs, and Worms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact us via phone call or email if you have questions about the Children&#8217;s Garden program or registering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Phone: 360-867-2189<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:master@co.thurston.wa.us\">master@co.thurston.wa.us\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-border--add-left wsu-border--color-crimson\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Registration Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Registration is required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each class has a maximum registration of 30 participants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Initially we would like to limit registration to <strong>two classes<\/strong> per participant. This will allow more children to participate in the program and learn in the garden.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Those registering between <strong>May 1 and June 15<\/strong> will only be able to register for a maximum of 2 classes per child.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>After June 15<\/strong>, if any spots are still open, you may register for more classes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If a class fills, you can add your child\u2019s name to the waitlist. Each class has a separate waitlist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Register<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Registration is required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each child must be registered separately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only those who have registered and have returned the required emergency contact form will be able to participate in the program. No walk-in\u2019s.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Required emergency contact form will be emailed closer to the date. Emergency contact forms must be completed for each participant and returned prior to your class date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When you click the link below, it will take you to our online ticketing platform. This platform is typically used for classes that have fees, so some of the prompts reflect that language. Just click through them. Our Children\u2019s Garden classes are free. Follow the prompts until you receive a confirmation receipt.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/secure.touchnet.net\/C20607_ustores\/web\/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=118&amp;CATID=201\">Registration Page<\/a> to sign up!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Cori Carlton at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us\">cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us<\/a>\u00a0at least two (2) weeks prior to the event or application deadline.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":0,"parent":18151,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_wsuwp_accessibility_report":null,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":0,"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","_expiration_date":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"cahnrs_clean_page_nonce":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24691"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24691"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24691\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26026,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24691\/revisions\/26026"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}