Houston Botanic Garden hosts all new BotaniCamp to help Houston youth 'grow appreciation of the natural world'

Elementary school children are invited to participate in the recently launched Houston Botanic Garden's BotaniCamp. 

The new program’s registration is ongoing, with the first day of camp slated for June 21.

"The Houston Botanic Garden is launching BotaniCamp – an eight-week, half-day Monday-Friday camp for children entering Kindergarten through fifth grade. Registration is open now," Houston City Councilman Robert Gallegos said on Facebook. 

The plant-centric event will feature a sensory and inquiry-driven curriculum. Each week will bring a new theme in which campers will learn about plants through an array of lessons and hands-on activities. Various student classes will also be offered throughout the course of the camp program.

BotaniCamp will go beyond observation measures to help participants connect with plants through a series of hands-on activities. Students will work alongside scientists and related subject matter professionals. The two camp sessions, scheduled for June 21-25 and July 26-30, have a cost per child of $205 per week.

Additionally, Water Ways, scheduled for June 28-July 2, will teach students about the city’s surrounding bayous and other bodies of water, observing sea life amid the ponds and the health of the water that makes up the ecosystem. Create in Nature will offer painting, drawing, sculpting and other art activities during its two sessions on July 5-9 and Aug. 9-13. 

Potions and Provisions explore ethnobotany, teaching children how to create their own plant extracts July 12-16, while Bird of the Bayou will cover various bird species and the migration techniques they practice to survive. Ecosystem Adventures will promote survival skills, such as locating food, tending to first aid needs and identifying medical emergencies. The program will be held from Aug. 2-6.

“The Houston Botanic Garden offers learners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities a variety of opportunities to discover plants and grow in appreciation of the natural world,” the site states. “We offer educational programs and workshops covering horticulture and gardening; culture and culinary arts; nature and conservation; and health and wellness.”