Ready to Thrive with a New Name
by Elizabeth Waugh, Youth & Family Education Coordinator
Starting in the 1990s, some of the first programs and classes taught at Green Spring Gardens were for children. Those classes— given to scouts and school groups— were quite informal and laid the foundation for the development of the Children’s Education Department. Over the next 25 years, the educators grew our program offerings, and the department became a cornerstone of horticultural and environmental education for children across the Northern Virginia area, interacting with 5,000-6,000 students every year.
A tot from our Winter 2021 Garden Sprouts class checks a hawk off her scavenger hunt list. The tidal wave that was 2020 brought about change that affected the way we approached our programs. The ripples of that change jostled the very sturdy boat we had been sailing, prompting us to step back and take a broader view of our students.
Green Spring's family-friendly programs flourished as people sought out safe ways to engage with their family members. Suddenly our audience was changing.
The title “Children's Education” no longer seemed fitting—we were educating entire families, several generations. We were engaging with parents and their adult children who wanted to learn about food justice together. We were speaking with homeschooled study groups and their adults who wanted to bolster their abilities as informal educators. Grandparents were bringing their grandchildren to listen to our storytellers. This became the catalyst for a new name for our department: Youth & Family Education.
High school volunteers weed the Swale Garden, Fall 2021.Our goal is to move forward with a multigenerational learning approach. Learning is best achieved when the whole family is involved. We will work to encourage young people to enter the world of horticulture and environmental studies with upcoming initiatives such as our Youth Internship. We will continue to strive to create strong community ties and to give groups and individuals of all backgrounds, ages, means, and races a safe space to interact with nature through programs like our upcoming Juneteenth Celebration in the Garden.
While the name “Children’s Education” served us well for over 25 years, we must practice what we teach: that the ability to adapt is what lets living things thrive.
So stay tuned to “Youth & Family Education” and watch us continue to thrive.
Photo Credit: All photos taken by Elizabeth Waugh.
Beekeeper Tatiana Lisle teaches a Family Fun program on bees to students of all ages, Summer 2021.
