Programs and Events > Regular Programs at Erickson Fields > Kids Can Grow

Kids Can Grow

Registration is open! To register, complete the form below.

About

Families with youth ages 7-12 years old learn together how to grow food using the square foot gardening method. Monthly sessions are held at Erickson Fields Preserve from May – October.

Kids Can Grow is a program of the University of Maine Extension Service and is taught by extension staff and Maine Coast Heritage Trust staff at the Erickson Fields Preserve in Rockport.

Through this six-month comprehensive gardening program, children learn how to grow nutritious vegetables, herbs and beautiful flowers for their families in their own 3 x 5 foot raised-bed gardens at home using intensive square foot gardening techniques. Children participate in a series of “hands on” gardening classes at a central location, and then repeat what they learn at home using materials the local program supplies and home visit help from a Master Gardener or volunteer mentor to assist and inspire them.

Cost

You will receive materials – lumber, soil, nails, seeds and seedlings – to build your own raised bed at home. There is a fee of $60 per family for all six sessions to help partially cover the cost of materials.  We want Kids Can Grow to be accessible to all who want to participate. Financial assistance is available on a sliding scale. To request financial assistance, complete the registration form below.

 Schedule

  • Wed., April 27 – Training for Volunteer Mentors from 4:00 to 5:00 PM
  • Wed., May 11 – Parent Orientation from 4:00 to 5:15 PM 
  • Wed., May 18 – First Group Session from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
  • First Wed. each month, June through Oct. – Monthly Group Sessions from 4:00 to 6:00 PM

Meetings will be held at Erickson Fields Preserve, 164 West St. in Rockport. The rain location will be Aldermere Farm, 20 Russell Ave. in Rockport.

Working with Your Mentor

Home sessions will be 30 to 60 minutes long and will focus on helping you grow veggies in your raised beds. It is your responsibility to contact your mentor and schedule these monthly visits. At least one parent must be present during the home visit.

We will send reminders the week before each session. If you are unable to attend a session, please email or call.  It will help us organize and help mentors with planning. We will create a contact list to stay in touch and let you know of any changes to the schedule, or changes in location due to weather, etc.

Announcements for additional Kids Can Grow garden care at Erickson Fields will be made as needed throughout the season for weeding, harvesting and cleanup outside the monthly sessions.

 

Kids Can Grow Registration

Kids Can Grow Registration

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Describe your child’s/children’s experience and/or interest in gardening.
The space you select should have full sun from 10 AM to 4 PM. A mentor will help build your raised bed and materials will be provided.
Meetings will be held from 4 PM to 6 PM on the first Wednesday of each month, June through October.
Select the top 6 veggies that you and your child(ren) want to grow!
Do you need a scholarship?
Scholarships are available on a sliding scale. We want this program to be affordable for all who want to participate.

After you submit this form, we will contact you via email to confirm your spot in the program and invoice you for the amount of the program fee that you selected above.