Work-Trade

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.

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

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

Stations Day

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

Performing Arts Day

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.