Page 14

20195BG

“The Brookgreen Buddies program has also opened up the world of Brookgreen Gardens to some students who otherwise would not have ever visited.” allows students to have a voice and to feel that they are special, important, and that someone is listening to them.” Th e impact of nurturing young minds is a by-product of all scheduled fi eld trip experiences. Th ese include three annual programs that allow Georgetown and Horry County students with limited funding to attend. Also, conservation messages are integrated into programs to empower students and families to have good environmental stewardship within their communities. Th is theme will be explored during Children’s Activity Days for public guests from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on August 3-5 and August 10-12 in Learning Lab One of the Wall Lowcountry Center. Viki Richardson, Brookgreen’s Greenhouse/Nursery Collections Supervisor, attests to programs that visit the Greenhouse. “We try to educate the children on the needs of plants and what it takes for them to grow,” she said. “We show them how we propagate to make new plants and show them some of our more interesting plants that are in the greenhouse collection. Th ey get a behind-the-scene look at the greenhouse and nursery, which our everyday visitor doesn’t get. If we don’t get our children interested in the natural world around them, they won’t grow up to care or want to protect our environment. Stephanie (Atkinson, Coordinator for Nature Education Development) does a great job with the kids, and she really goes the extra mile to teach them and to make learning fun.” A new monthly program for homeschoolers, off ered on the third Th ursdays, is reaching a new audience of participants from North Carolina and South Carolina. “I think that it impacts the local community by teaching local kids all about the native plants and wildlife, as well as the history,” said parent Sascha Elliott. “It gives them a sense of pride in knowing about the things around them.” Of note, the weekly Gullah Geechee Program Series and related interpretive history programs and exhibits have promoted awareness about a segment of Americana, of which many visitors have been ignorant. “Each of the presentations drives me to learn more!” read a guest comment. I will be presenting the summer Gullah program “Taak dat Taak (Talk that Talk)” at 1:00 p.m. Wednesdays in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium. Th e program examines values that give meaning to why Gullah Geechee people talk the way we talk, live the lives we live, and value sustaining our culture. “Brookgreen Gardens/Brings laughter, joy, and smiles,” the song lyrics affi rm. “It is paradise/You’ll feel love all the while/Th e beauty/ Just beyond the gate (whether within its confi nes or in ways that impact others following their visit)/ Must be enjoyed by you.” Scott Batton Children learning in the greenhouse.


20195BG
To see the actual publication please follow the link above