Outdoor Learning Garden Summer Institute

Looking for Interns, Jr. Interns, and Volunteers

2012-01-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

OLGSI is seeking volunteers prior to and during the program.

OLGSI is also looking for middle, high-school and college aged students (or interested individuals of any age) interns for the program: 1-4 week intern options available.

Email olgsi.info@gmail.com to request application or for more information.

OLGSI 2012

2012-01-19T17:27:00.000-08:00

Week One: June 25-29, 2012
Where we roam: Art and Food focused adventures in South Tabor Parks, and Gardens
Highlights include: walking field trip to neighborhood gardens/urban farms, Stories of PLACE exploration, Friday Hike up Mt. Tabor Day, all in addition to various art and garden projects throughout the week

No camp July 2-6, 2012

Week Two: July 9-13, 2012
Experiencing the Science of Nature: From Earth To Sky
Highlights include: naturalist journal construction and recording, examining the creatures of the soil, exploring rocks, minerals, stars and clouds, and creating multi-media art

Week Three: July 16-20, 2012
The Jr. Environmentalist: Exploring Plants and Animals
Highlights include: researching and learning about endangered species, creation of recycled art, special guests, and water play and conservation

Week Four: Natural Theatre Arts: July 23-27, 2012
A Playful Look at Humans and Our Environment
Highlights include: creating and performing an environmentally conscious play, students participate in costume creation, stage design and set up, and of course are the stars of the performance on Friday

2011

2011-10-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

The 2011 program was another wonderful success. Students and community members learned and played with us, there were nearly 10 local schools represented and several siblings. We expanded upon our connection with Portland Public School's ACE (Academic Cultural Enrichment) program and had various parts of our week with their students. Our commitment to community action continued though a second year removing English Ivy at Mt. Tabor Park (thank you to Friends of Mt. Tabor Park Volunteers)and care-taking the various gardens of Atkinson Elementary.

Thanks to all our fabulous volunteers for making this program possible for another summer!

More pictures, stories, and updates to come...

Supply list

2011-06-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

Ongoing Supplies needed:
watercolor paper large
watercolor pencils
worm bin composting
Rubbermaids/large tubs with lids
red worms
seeds and plants
herb seeds
small pots
modeling bees wax clay
cigar boxes
small polished stones/gems
canning supplies

FILLING UP FAST.

2011-05-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hello to all.
We wanted to give everyone a heads up about availability this summer
Younger students: k-2 Older students: 3-5 grade
June 27- July 1: 1 available slot for younger students, 5 available slots for older students
July 5-9: 4 available slots for younger students, 3 available slots for older students
July 11-15: 2 available slots for younger student, 3 available slots for older students
July 18-22: 3 available slots for older students
July 25-29: 5 available slots for older students

We do have wait-list options so please inquire if the week is full
For more information email olgsi.info@gmail.com

Work-Trade

2011-04-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

The concept of work-trade originated from a parent, and as we continue to encourage its evolution, we rely on feedback and ideas generated from and by parents/guardians and student advocates.

Work-trade is designed to give families the option of offering their skills or time in exchange for camp time. We recognize families come in all shapes and sizes and for some giving time is a great option in addition to or instead of paying camp fees.
Just like families, work-trade comes in a variety of forms, but the over-all bottom line is this: for every hour of time spent with or for camp the student gets an hour of camp time. There is no minimum nor maximum amount of hours families can trade for camp hours. And it does not need to be a parent or legal guardian who volunteers the time, it can be any friend or relative (or maybe in some cases the student themselves might help).

As camp draws nearer the options for work-trade increase... currently we need help in the following areas:

Camp volunteers: folks who are willing to donate time during any of our camp sessions: generally volunteers help by working with students on projects, helping any staff members prepare for projects, or be an extra presence during large activities or group outings.
So far the following days are identified as high need days (although ANY day of camp we have extra help it is a blessing):
Tuesday June 28 (specifically 1-3 pm)
Thursday June 30
Friday July 8 (all day)
Wednesday July 13
Thursday July 14
More dates TBA

Naturalist Bag constructors: we have 100 burlap sacks that need to be transformed into naturalist sacks for the students to use at camp, we have a very simple design for the bags and need volunteers to help put them together.

Nature and Art Journal creators: we have a need for 80 journals to be put together: like the bags we have a design ready to go we need folks who are willing to cut and hole-punch and tie journals for students.

Donation go-getters: for those of you who thrive in public relations we are needing to acquire some supplies for camp. We have an evolving list of supplies and a list of organizations who we know works with organizations of our variety and would love some help securing supplies.

Email olgsi.info@gmail.com for more information

Summer 2011.

2011-01-21T22:25:00.001-08:00

Outdoor Learning Gardens Summer Institute is now accepting applications for this summer.

Any elementary aged student may attend.

Work-Trade for program cost options available.

Scholarships Available.

Sliding Scale $125-165 per week.

OLGSI is seeking volunteers prior to and during the program.

OLGSI is also looking for high-school and college aged students (or interested individuals of any age) interns for the program: 1-5 week intern options available.

Email olgsi.info@gmail.com to request application or for more information.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Visit

2010-08-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

We were blessed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visiting us twice this summer: their information about Fish was incredible and we had a unique opportunity to dissect fish who had died prematurely at the Bonneville Dam. We sketched local fish and made clay fish with Diane Jacobs for the upcoming PLACE welcome wall at Atkinson Elementary School.

Stations Day P2

2010-08-04T19:36:00.001-07:00

Stations Day

2010-08-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

The Last Day of camp we worked on projects, some new but many were voted upon repeats from the whole camp program:
plant presses (from plants in gardens)
web, bubble wand and crown making (from invasive plants cut and collected in local area)
Jewelry making (including own bead making)
Magnet Collages (recycled and re-used products)
Seed Mandalas
Clay Puppets
Modeling clay creating
Garden Flags
Sidewalk art
small flower pot painting
mint tea-bag compilation

Performing Arts Part 2

2010-08-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

Performing Arts Day

2010-08-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

The day began with costumes and rhythm, then a parade through the garden which was followed by flag making and ended with drumming, dance, creative play and naturally, more costumes.

Week Four

2010-08-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

Week Four was a celebration week.
We painted, played and explored.

Pictures tell the best stories from this week, so we will let them and a few words explain the learning to all...

Birdhouses

2010-08-04T19:04:00.000-07:00

We sanded and painted bird houses made from locals out of fully recycled lumber. We spoke of creative artists who create abstract and beautiful creations. We talked about the importance of re-using resources and how homes can come in all shapes and sizes.

Thanks to all the hands who designed and built these creative homes.

5-Berry Jam and service

2010-08-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

The students took part in a few service-based projects, one was planting in the Pollinator Garden. We also had some excited students who made it their task to "conquer" the pricky weeds that covered an area of the gardens.
Thanks for all the hard work campers.

Jam making was quite a hit. We all had the opportunity to mash berries, squeeze lemons and limes and watch the canning process take place.
In the end we all took home our own jam to share with friends and family.
Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who made this day possible.

Garden Flags

2010-08-04T18:58:00.001-07:00

Our Garden Flags were made of all natural dyes: purple: Local Blue Berries, and Oregon Grape Berries; Yellow: dandelion petals and turmeric powder

We painted some of them with stamps and made seed patterns on others

Young Florists

2010-08-04T18:37:00.000-07:00

Week Three Highlights

2010-08-04T18:32:00.000-07:00

Week three we explored the garden as a means for food: we made and canned jam, we sampled tastes of the garden, we planted herb beds to take home, and made and loved watermelon mint coolers
We also looked at the garden as a means of creating and enjoying beauty, we designed floral arrangements to take home to our families, made Epsom salt and sea salt bath scrubs, we dyed fabric with natural dyes
The week also highlighted the numerous ways plants can be healers through games and exploration in the garden, and we also made a red clover tea

Insects, Ponies, and Paint

2010-07-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

Week Two Nature Journals

2010-07-25T22:02:00.001-07:00

Bee Man

2010-07-25T21:57:00.001-07:00

One of the biggest highlights of week two was having a local bee keep join us.
We were able to see him in his attire, view honey comb, eat fresh honey, and look at bees.

MT Tabor

2010-07-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

Week Two

2010-07-25T21:12:00.001-07:00

We left week two with tired feet and lots of knowledge.

Monday and Tuesday we explored the gardens and Clinton Park as naturalists: we searched for animal signs, looked at artifacts and tracks, used guide books and sketched and painted beautiful species accounts. Wednesday through Friday we took daily trips to Mt tabor and pulled invasive English Ivy, learned about evergreen tree types, used compasses, created nature webs, made a stick and rock direction trail and so much more.

We ended the week with a special gift from the ACE program: pony rides.

Week One Highlights

2010-07-11T15:29:00.001-07:00

The first week of camp flew by with color, adventure, creativity, and learning.

Some of our time was spent touring neighborhood gardens, creating natural bubble wands, sanding, painting and planting our own succulent garden beds, sketching and water color painting in our hand made nature journals, making sun tea, visiting with chickens, playing, singing songs, weeding, picking up after the holiday fireworks, making seed mandalas, and exploring various forms of plant life

The garden boxes were made of 90% recycled products, the plants were gifted to us from Oregon residents (one in our very own neighborhood), the journals and baskets were re-used or rescued items, and our tea was from local garden herbs.

Thanks to all the wonderful students and their families for making week one such a success.

Week One

2010-07-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

First Week Update

2010-07-03T20:03:00.000-07:00

The first week of the OLGSI begins Monday July 5, 2010

Highlight for this first week include: planter boxes, neighborhood garden field trip, backyard chickens, journal making, side walk chalk, and much more.

We will introduce the basics of Nature Based learning through garden time, play time, and creative activities.

Students and families are reminded to be at the west side (near the garden entrance) of the school at 9am on Monday.

Contact olgsi.info@gmail.com with any questions.

UPDATED NEED LIST

2010-06-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

Please contact olgsi.info@gmail.com if you can donate any of these items
Thanks.

Supplies:
Preferred: used articles or recycled resources

Nails

Hammers (loaners are great)

Art Supplies
Colored pencils, writing pencils, water colors, paper (art grade, lined, scrap)

Earth friendly adhesives
Glues, tapes

Tin Water Bottles

Coolers

small containers with functional lids
for liquid tinctures
for salves

bees wax (local preferred)

pots (planting) of various sizes

Oregon pertinent guide books (nature): weather, bird, plant, insect, tree, rocks and minerals

Books : for students and parents on Science, Gardening, Multicultural Awareness, Art

three ring binders (used only please: there is a surplus of these floating around unused)

Bus passes

Seeds: herbs (examples cilantro, thyme, parsley, oregano, basil)

Seeds for projects (not planting): corn, sunflower, beans, lentils, etc. (hardy seeds/pods)

Berries (for jam making)

Tomatoes, onions, garlic (for salsa making)

small canning jars (50 +)

canning lids and rings (50 +)

egg cartons

Plastic or wax(compostable please) small bags (sandwich size)

Still Accepting Applications

2010-06-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

We are still accepting applications for all four weeks: both volunteers and students. contact olgsi.info@gmail.com to receive an application

Early Bird Students Accepted

2010-04-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

The Early Bird Applicants were announced last week.
Thanks to all the families who got their applications in early.

New applications are being sent out: spread the word.

Continuing to look for volunteers and interns.

Email for more information.

Happy Spring.

Early Bird Deadline

2010-03-10T15:09:00.000-08:00

Early Bird Acceptance

Inquiring minds want to know: when will students be accepted into the program?

Early Bird: turn in completed application by March 26, 2010
(up to 25 students can be accepted for this early bird date)
Accepted students will be informed of entrance into program by
March 31, 2010

All other applications due: April 30, 2010*
Accepted students will be informed of entrance into the program
May 1, 2010

*Dependent upon student acceptance applications will be accepted through the Month of May

Internship Opportunities

2010-02-17T19:01:00.001-08:00

The OLGSI is looking for college and high school interns who want to develop skills in gardening, art, science, education, and community involvement and outreach.

Intern for a full week or for the entire program month.

Email us for more information.

Deadline for college-aged interns: April 30, 2010

Deadline for high school interns: May 14, 2010

Applications available

2010-02-12T10:52:00.001-08:00

Applications for students, high school interns, college interns, volunteers and students now available. Please email us at olgsi.info@gmail.com and request forms.

Wanted

2010-02-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

The OLGSI is looking for volunteers of all varieties. Email for more information.

Need list: updated

2010-02-03T09:54:00.000-08:00

Supplies:
Preferred: used articles or recycled resources

Nails

Hammers (loaners are great)

Art Supplies
Colored pencils, writing pencils, water colors, paper (art grade, lined, scrap)

Earth friendly adhesives
Glues, tapes

Tin Water Bottles

Coolers

small containers with functional lids
for liquid tinctures
for salves

bees wax (local preferred)

pots (planting) of various sizes

Oregon pertinent guide books (nature): weather, bird, plant, insect, tree, rocks and minerals

Books : for students and parents on Science, Gardening, Multicultural Awareness, Art

three ring binders (used only please: there is a surplus of these floating around unused)

Bus passes

Seeds: herbs (examples cilantro, thyme, parsley, oregano, basil)

Seeds for projects (not planting): corn, sunflower, beans, lentils, etc. (hardy seeds/pods)

Berries (for jam making)

Tomatoes, onions, garlic (for salsa making)

small canning jars (50 +)

canning lids and rings (50 +)

egg cartons

Plastic or wax(compostable please) small bags (sandwich size)