Garden Club of Elllijay member teaches a class on pollinators.
Garden Club of Elllijay member teaches a class on pollinators.
The Bluebells Youth Garden Club sponsored by Conyers Garden Club participated in the Redbud District's annual flower show.
The Bluebells Youth Garden Club sponsored by Conyers Garden Club participated in the Redbud District's annual flower show.
Members of the Norcross Earth Team and their parents join Norcross Garden Club in planting trees at the city cemetery.
Members of the Norcross Earth Team and their parents join Norcross Garden Club in planting trees at the city cemetery.
Norcross Garden Club hosts a delightful search for fairy doors with its Enchanted Forest at the Johnson Dean Forest Preserve.
Norcross Garden Club hosts a delightful search for fairy doors with its Enchanted Forest at the Johnson Dean Forest Preserve.

Youth Programs Build New Gardeners

We have many ways to encourage young people to learn the educational and environmental benefits of gardening.

Youth Garden Clubs

The Garden Club of Georgia encourages all of its adult clubs to sponsor Youth Garden Clubs at the elementary, middle school or high school level. They can be affiliated with a school, church, neighborhood, or an established Scout group. Programs should be tailored to the interest of the membership and to the grade level of the students. It's easy and inexpensive. Once registered, apply for awards and participate in GCG activities. Each registered youth club must register by December 1 annually; $3.00 per club for Junior and Intermediate, $5.00 per club of High School club. Once registered in the state, youth clubs will automatically be registered with the National Garden Club.

Contact GCG Youth Club Co-Chairman Edie Baxley at [email protected] or Co-Chairman Cindy Hatchett at [email protected] for more information.

Working with Schools

Clubs all over the state work with public and private schools to install pollinator gardens, grow their own vegetables, learn how to preserve our water resources and more!

Awards and Contests

Educational aids

Georgia's Youth Garden Clubs

Tips For Working with Youth

Work with an existing group such as a Scout troop or pack, school group, 4-H club, Sunday school, or synagogue class. Youth clubs should meet 5 times a year.

Need some program ideas?

  • Flower designs: start simple and work up.
  • Participation in a Standard Flower Show.
  • Environmental concerns such as air quality, water conservation, litter and recycling. Have a discussion with artwork or a craft (rain sticks are fun!).
  • Sponsor a clean-up in your local area.
  • Participate in the annual Youth Poetry Contest or Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest.
  • Create holiday or seasonal decor using fresh plant material found in the garden.
  • Start a herb program or bird program, or one about container gardening.
  • Look into Garden Therapy activities in your town.

For more ideas contact:

Edie Baxley

GCG State Co-Chairman, Youth Garden Clubs

[email protected]

or

Cindy Hatchett

GCG State Co-Chairman, Youth Garden Clubs

[email protected]