Youth Gardening Projects and Activities
JUNIOR GARDEN CLUBS
National Garden Club has provided outstanding leadership in promoting Junior Garden clubs since 1931. These clubs answer a child’s curiosity about the world of plants/gardens. Clubs may choose to work with established children’s organizations (Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs), contact their local schools and arrange a visit, or form a group from their children’s friends. However large or small makes no difference: helping children enjoy and appreciate the “intrinsic beauty” of gardening is important.
It doesn’t matter how many times you meet with Juniors or how long a meeting lasts. Just making initial contact can spark imagination and ingenuity for future contacts with youth. Though all of our clubs are “short-staffed,” missing the opportunity to mold potential gardeners is just that: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY!
To get started, visit the Forms on the MFCG web. Click on the Junior Garden Registration form and follow the instructions to register your club. Ongoing Junior Garden Clubs must be re-registered each year using this same form.
The $1 per Junior Club fee can be sent with your Club’s annual registration in June. Add a note to MFGC’s Treasurer that $1 is earmarked for Junior Garden Clubs.
Many of us take gardening for granted, but to children who are lucky enough to find a mentor, it opens vistas as new and exciting as outer space.
Junior Garden Club Registration
Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Contest
A National Garden Clubs, Inc. Poster Contest for children in first through fifth grade that gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and environmental conservation.
For rules and information contact:
Jennifer Strzelczyk, Chairman
PO Box 1254, Malta 59538-1254
National Garden Clubs
The National Garden Clubs offers many opportunities for youth. These include scholarships, grants, books, contests and much more. Visit to learn more: National Garden Clubs Youth Programs
National Youth Contests
National Garden Clubs provides many educational opportunities through competitions for the youth at the pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school level. Current contests include:
- Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl Poster Contest
- Poetry Contest
- High School Distinguished Service Project Award
- Youth Pollinator Gardens Grant
- Youth Sculpture Contest