Elementary School Resources
Opportunities for elementary school students, teachers, guidance counselors.
Big Green
Big Green builds Learning Gardens, dynamic outdoor classrooms and productive edible gardens, for schools in the ASD, SCS, and Charter systems. After installation, teachers and garden teams will receive garden-based and nutrition-based education and resources from Big Green.
- Apply for a garden here https://biggreen.org/apply/
- Contact: [email protected]
- https://biggreen.org/where-were-growing/memphis/
One of our community partners has gone through a name change and it would be nice to have the website represent this. Thanks for your help. Let me know if you need anything else form me to help make this happen.
Green Leaf Learning Farm at Knowledge Quest
GLLF, is a “signature program” of Knowledge Quest, an on-sight, USDA Organic certified, micro farm that models and promotes urban agriculture and is designed to actively engage the community in learning all things garden and food related. The components of this program include education, community and economic development and food security.
- Ages pre-k to 8th grade
- Free of charge during the after school program, summer camp includes a minimal fee
- Located in South Memphis, serving the 38106 and 38126 zip codes
- Contact: Yolanda Manning / 615-838-3869 / [email protected]
- http://www.knowledgequest.org/green-leaf/
4-H
4-H is a global network of youth organizations whose mission is "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development".
- Ages 5-19
- Jim Todd / 901-752-1207 / [email protected]
- http://www.agricenter.org/4-h/
FREE engaging environmental education to students (K-12) in the Shelby County and surrounding areas. In-class presentations and activities designed to reinforce the existing standards being taught at that time. Topics of discussion include: energy, water, recycling, landfills, resource use, health and nutrition, air pollution, climate change, ecology, biodiversity, etc. Clean Memphis also offers assistance in implementing a school-wide recycling program, a green team and assistance in becoming certified as a sustainable school by partaking in the Sustainable Schools Challenge.
- For more information visit: cleanmemphis.org
- Kristine Jacobs / 901-235-2416 / [email protected]
Agricenter International
Teachers are invited to bring their classes to the Agricenter campus for hands-on dynamic learning. Classes offered daily range from water experimentations and energy tours to exploring our cotton and corn fields and natural forest. We also offer annual programs that address renewable resources, environmental awareness, safety in our surroundings, and farm education. We emphasize job opportunities in agriculture business by introducing our youth to agriculture partners, colleges, and technical schools during these programs.
- Programs for all ages and grade levels
- http://www.agricenter.org/education/
Memphis Botanic Garden
Memphis Botanic Garden connects students with the natural world as they participate in hands-on, outdoor learning. In addition to plant science, the Garden offers programs on ecosystems, historical uses of plants, art in nature, environmental issues and more.
- Download the full education guide: https://www.memphisbotanicgarden.com/youthgroupprograms.
- Contact: Kristen Zemaitis /901-636-4126 / [email protected]
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Founded in 1976 by Hugo and Margaret Dixon, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens is a fine art museum and public garden distinguished by its diverse and innovative programs in the arts and horticulture.
Come to the Dixon: Plan a field trip for your students to explore art and nature.
- Free with advance reservation
- Self-guided and guided tours (All grade levels)
- Hands-on activities that align with curriculum standards (Pre-K – 5th grade)
- Group sketching (6th – 12th grade)
- www.dixon.org/educators
- Free with advance reservation
- Hands-on activities that align with curriculum standards (Pre-K – 8th grade)
- Available to all schools within a 30-mile radius of the Dixon
- www.dixon.org/educators
Shelby Farms Park
Field Trips: Shellby Farms Park is an outdoor classroom, and field trips can be customized to help you bring classroom lessons to life! Reservations for field trips must be made at least 10 days in advance.
- All grade levels
- Suggested donation ($25)
- Christina Fortenberry / (901) 222-PARK / [email protected]
- http://www.shelbyfarmspark.org/tours-field-trips
Camps:
Camps at Shelby Farms Park connect Memphis youth to their park, to their food system, to their watershed, to their urban forest, and to themselves. With its upland lakes, cypress swamps, walking paths and biking trails, buffalo, barn owls and beaver, Shelby Farms Park encourages kids to connect with nature through exploration, inspiration, discovery and fun.
- Grades K-9
- 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
- $180 (members) $200 (non-members)
- [email protected]
- http://www.shelbyfarmspark.org/camps
Cedar Hill Farm
Field trips: Entry into the Farm, a Hayride around the farm, a seed planting demonstration the Petting Zoo, the Ag in the Classroom Chicken Show, the Education Station, Cedar Hill Rail Road, and use of our Play and Picnic Areas.
- $7-$13/child
- All grades
- (662) 429-2540 / [email protected]
- http://www.gocedarhillfarm.com/
Kids Play Memphis
Flour Power Cooking Camp: Campers will learn through hands-on cooking, journaling, and craft activities.
- For children 3 years+
- 9AM to 1PM
- $150/camper for the week
- http://kidsplaymemphis.com/events
YMCA Camp
Where the Wild Things Are: The world is full of amazing creatures! Campers will explore the diverse world of animals, learning, discovering, and participating in activities focused on animals and their environments. Field Trips: Cedar Hill Farms/Kids Kountry/Memphis Zoo
- For students ages 6 years-12 years
- $110/week
- http://www.ymcamemphis.org/our-programs/summer-camp/
Lichterman Nature Center
Urban Horticulture Programs: These programs will teach you how to attract wildlife to your backyard, restore native habitats, and learn about some of the plants and animals that also call Memphis and the Mid-south home.
- Field trips offered
- 901-636-2221 / [email protected]
- http://www.memphismuseums.org/lichterman-nature-center/
Davies Manor Plantation
Special programs related to early Shelby County farm life including quilting, gardening, and beekeeping can be arranged with advance notice.
- $4/student, $5/adult
- For all ages and grade levels
- Book one month in advance
- 901-386-0715 / [email protected]
- http://daviesmanorplantation.org/
SPARK Summer Camp at Hutchison
SPARK Day Camp is a traditional day camp for girls and boys with fun weekly themes that add spark to your child’s summer. Campers enjoy a broad variety of daily activities that take advantage of Hutchison’s unique 52-acre wooded and gated campus located in East Memphis.
- Girls: aged 3-12
- Boys: aged 4-10
- https://www.hutchisonschool.org/page/programs/summer-camps--programs/spark-summer-camp
Carpenter Art Garden
Working with the children of Binghampton to promote each one’s creative potential and self worth through exposure to artistic, educational, and vocational programs.
- Drop in on Tuesday afternoons
- Attendance is free
- Megan Banaszek / 319-981-0380 / [email protected]
- https://www.carpenterartgarden.com/
National FFA Organization
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
- To join FFA, you must be enrolled in an agriculture course at your school.
- Students pay annual FFA membership dues.
- FFA offers leadership development, agriculture and business programming, and scholarships for students continuing on with higher education.
- Program or Corse Information Contact: Steven Gass / (615) 532-2847 / [email protected]
- Tennessee FFA Association Contact: Stuart Watson / (731) 377-7555 / [email protected]
- www.FFA.org
Bobby Lanier Farm Park
A 10-acre education and demonstration center for sustainable living through agriculture and stewardship.
- Offers field trips and educational programming
- Joni Roberts / (901) 757-7378/ [email protected]
- www.thefarmpark.org
Strawberry Plains Audubon Center
Strawberry Plains Audubon Center offers hands-on learning experiences while meeting education curriculum standards. Students can investigate the unique natural and cultural histories of this region and learn about the beauty and importance of native plant gardens. Strawberry Plains introduces field trip participants to scientific inquiry.
- Field trips are offered, $5/student
- Group size is limited to 50 students
- Contact: 662-252-1155
- http://strawberryplains.audubon.org/
Arkansas 4-H Camps
Arkansas 4-H State Camping Program offers camping and training opportunities for youth 5-19 years old and adults.
- Day and overnight camps for students ages 5+ years
- Creena Bosnick / 501-821-6884 / [email protected]
- https://www.uaex.edu/4h-youth/activities-programs/camps/
FSA Youth Loan
FSA makes loans to individual young persons for income-producing projects in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA, a Tribal youth group, or similar org. The project being financed needs to provide an opportunity for the young person to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills.
- Loans up to $5,000
- Contact: 615-277-2600
- https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/youth-loans/index
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
Resources, lesson plans, activities for teachers who cover agriculture topics.
- Games, lesson plans, websites, and resource sheets.
- Julia Recko / 202-406-3737 / [email protected]
- http://www.agfoundation.org/
Farm Bureau TN Mini Grants
Grants for farm tours and school gardens to teachers in TN.
- Earn up to $500 for a new garden in your school.
- Chris Fleming / (931) 388-7872, ext. 2759
- http://www.tnfarmbureau.org/grants-tours
Hawthorne Valley Overnight Camp
Situated at Hawthorne Valley Farm, we offer many hands-on farm experiences for children, creating memories that last a lifetime!
- Overnight camp in Ghent, NY
- Ages 9-16
- http://hawthornevalleyfarm.org/place-based-learning-center/programs-for-children/residential-programs/overnight-farm-camp/
Lucky Ladd Farm
Camp: Our campers explore the wonder and magic of Lucky Ladd Farms including working with animals, pony rides, gardening, games, arts and crafts, archery, water play, wilderness exploration and much more.
- Nashville area
- Ages 5-10
- $299/week
- 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
- (615) 274-3786 / [email protected] /
- http://luckyladdfarms.com/farm-summer-camp-nashville-tn.html
- Nashville area
- School aged children
- $11/student
- (615) 274-3786 / [email protected] /
- http://luckyladdfarms.com/school-tours-tn.html
Falcon Ridge Farm
Not only do students learn about agriculture as they traverse the farm, they get to experience first hand!
- Toone, TN
- Field trips and educational programming for school age children and their teachers/chaperones.
- $6.50/student, teachers are free
- Ray Gilmer / (731) 658-5200
- http://www.farmatfalconridge.com/
Gentry’s Farm
Camp: A day camp for school-age children featuring outdoor activities and farm exploration.
- Nashville area
- K-6th Grade
- One week long
- $200/week
- 615-794-4368
- http://www.gentryfarm.com/summer/
- Nashville area
- $7/student, teachers free
- 615-794-4368
- http://www.gentryfarm.com/field-trips/