Botany for Kids teaches mindfulness with nature-based summer camps

Botany for Kids is offering a new summer camp effort at Point Loma Native Plant Garden Promoting two five-day-session summer camp dates on July - and Aug - Botany for Kids is now open for enrollment on both dates In conjunction with Coastal Sage Gardening at Voltaire St Botany for Kids is helping fulfill its continuing mission of empowering kids to self-regulate through mindfulness and nature Children will be furnished with all the tools they need to learn about nature while having fun Throughout the week kids can dive into an abundance of exercises including nature walks through the native plant garden stretching and yoga exercises action-oriented lessons and various crafts and games This camp will have themes of mindfulness nature-based teaching fun with growing seeds nature-based crafts and overall lots of fun under the sun announced Grace Jackson an associate operating the new summer camp scheme along with colleague Grace Schmalz and Coastal Sage owner John Noble Noble s passion for landscaping created Coastal Sage Gardening years ago specializing in garden design and maintenance using California organic native plants and herbs Grace and Grace have been working with children for years as educators integrity coaches and nature guides Coastal Sage s unit is enthusiastic about spending time disconnected from electronics keeping in tune with nature while focusing on the beauty and fun of our natural world Summer campers will explore new ideas develop problem-solving skills and build confidence in their ability to learn and grow Connecting with nature helps them build strong relationships with self others and nature through teamwork communication and district engagement Campers develop empathy leadership skills and a sense of belonging fostering lifelong friendships and a deep connection to the world around them Jackson noted Botany s new kids summer camp is multi-dimensional We will be learning about and connecting with nature but it s not meant to feel like learning she announced We want it to be more fun-centered and fun-focused so kids are learning by doing and experiencing things Jackson cited as one example teaching kids about a native plant in the garden that you can rub the flowers between your hands add particular water and it turns to soap She added that the camp is as much about self-awareness as it is about nature instruction A major piece of it is connecting to ourselves our minds and bodies and about tools we can use through movement and other programs to help them make that connection she commented Botany for Kids operates under these three guiding principles Mind Fostering curiosity creativity and critical thinking through engaging programs hands-on learning and personal improvement opportunities Body Building strong relationships with self others and nature through teamwork communication and region engagement Connection Building awareness of our bodies and learning to listen to what they need Growing empathy leadership skills and a sense of belonging fostering lifelong friendships and a deep connection to the surrounding world For the Botany for Kids summer camp effort participants are required to bring a yoga mat or towel lunch a water bottle walking shoes journals supplies and a loving heart and open mind A morning snack and tea are provided Early and late summer camp pickup dropoff are available upon request Drop off Monday-Thursday a m Coastal Sage Gardening Voltaire St Pick up Monday-Thursday p m Point Loma Native Plant Garden Mendocino Blvd Drop off a m and pick up p m Friday Ocean Beach Dog Beach W Point Loma Blvd Meet at the lifeguard tower Botany for Kids summer camp costs vary from for a half day to for a full week as well as offering a bring-a-friend discount For more information call - - or email coastalsagegarden gmail com Instagram COASTALSAGE GARDEN