Youth Summer Garden Camp

Youth ages 7 to 15 are invited to join the Penn State Master Gardeners of Cumberland County for five camp sessions of Youth Summer Garden Camp on Tuesdays, June 9, June 23, July 7, July 21, and August 4, 6:00PM to 8:00PM, at the Penn State Extension office located at 310 Allen Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.

Each Tuesday evening session offers a unique theme where campers will dig in the soil, discover science in action, and take home projects they have created. Youth will grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers to take home their harvest and donate surplus produce to Project SHARE in Carlisle. Activities include garden work, STEM-based lessons, games, and exploration of the natural world. Camp is held rain or shine, using both indoor and outdoor spaces. Youth should wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes.

A parent or guardian is required to sign in youth from 5:45PM-6:00PM and sign out at pick up promptly at 8:00PM. Registration is $15 per youth per session. Register for one or more sessions at https://extension.psu.edu/cumberland-county-youth-summer-garden-camp-series. Space is limited to 20 campers per session.

Camp Dates and Themes

June 9 – Go Green!

Join us on our Leafy Green adventure as we explore the vegetable world of leafy greens that are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Plant seeds in the Youth Garden at the Penn State Extension office and plant your own shoe box garden of superfoods to take home. Help make a prediction on what items we find in our local landfill in the garden at the end of summer.

June 23 – Let’s Dig in to Root Crops!

Dig into the fun world of root crops! Explore how plants like carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes grow beneath the soil. Through hands-on plantings, simple experiments, and garden games, learn how to plant, tend, and harvest them. Plant your own grow bag with a variety of radish seeds to take home.

July 7 – Awesome Alliums

You love to eat us, but do you really know us? Garlic, onion, chives – we make your pizza, spaghetti, salsa, salads, and soups delicious! We’re also great garden protectors – we can help keep pests from eating your other vegetables. Learn how to grow, harvest and store garlic, onion, and chives. Learn the do's and don'ts of companion planting with alliums. Plant green onions in a container to take home and grow.

July 21 – Vine Time: The Great Cucurbit Adventure

Get ready to follow the twisting, climbing, and sprawling vines of the cucurbit family! In this camp, you’ll explore cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, melons, and gourds through fun, hands-on activities and games. Discover how these plants wind their way across gardens, surprising you with cool facts—like how watermelons, pumpkins, and cucumbers are all related. You’ll check out seeds, plant your own cucurbit to grow at home, and play fact-or-fiction challenges.

August 4 – The Nightshade Family

Join us for a family reunion as we learn about the nightshade family of tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and peppers! Explore how to grow and harvest these delicious plants. Discover unique tomato and eggplant varieties. Create a collaborative art mural with fellow campers, showcasing your artistic skills.

For more information, call the Penn State Extension office at 717-706-6040, email CumberlandExt@psu.edu, visit the website for the Penn State Master Gardeners of Cumberland County at https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/cumberland, or find us on Facebook at CumberlandExtension. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.