I Dig Calaveras Hosts Hands-On Garden Camp for Children at Mountain Ranch Resource Center June 23 to 25, 2026

Three-day camp invited local children to explore native plants, pollinators, soil, food, and their role as caretakers of the local ecosystem.

Local nonprofit I Dig Calaveras offered a three-day Garden Camp for Children from June 23 to 25 at the Mountain Ranch Resource Center, giving local youth a hands-on opportunity to discover the art, science, and magic of gardening.

Centered on the theme “Our Place in the Garden,” the camp helped children explore how native plants, flowers, pollinators, soil, and food work together. Through planting, observing, harvesting, and creating garden journals, campers learned how to become caretakers of both a garden and their local ecosystem.

“We wanted to offer a camp that was easily accessible to local kids and gave them lots of ideas for fun activities for the summer,” said Mark Hall, Mountain Ranch Resource Center board member and longtime resident, who has worked with the community to restore the vegetable garden adjacent to the Center. Thanks to camp sponsor, CalaverasGROWN, we were able to offer this camp at no cost.

Odile Morrison of I Dig Calaveras described the program as a hands-on garden camp where children could learn by doing. Master Gardener Leslie Latour encouraged campers to explore the ecosystem through the prompts, “I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of…” as they observed seeds, plants, insects, worms, and snails.

During the camp, children built a bug hotel, made worm bins to take home, identified native plants, made plant cuttings, learned how to use a magnifying glass, planted beans, and snacked on blackberries from the garden. The program was designed to spark curiosity, encourage outdoor learning, and connect children with the living systems around them.

About I Dig Calaveras

I Dig Calaveras is a local 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on supporting community gardens in Calaveras county. Through hands-on programs and local partnerships, I Dig Calaveras supports sustainable food practices, outdoor learning, and opportunities for residents of all ages to connect with gardening and the natural world. Contact I Dig Calaveras at idigcalaveras@gmail.com.

Photo shows Leslie Latour, Justice, William and Nova taking cuttings to make new plants.