Our aim is to create and provide land-based learning opportunities for children and youth in our community. Through these outdoor educational programs, we believe that we can promote individual, community and environmental health. During all of our programs, we will use the gardens and surrounding forests as our classroom and as an educational tool to cultivate joy, wonder and meaningful connections to plants and the natural world.
Miniature (Fairy) Garden Workshops (Ages 4 and up)
Miniature (Fairy) Garden Workshops
Join us for some fun and creative time as we enter the world of miniature fairy garden making! These miniature gardens offer hours of play potential for children of all ages. Plant care, planting techniques, and furnishing making will all be featured. Consider signing up with your child and making one of your own!
Ages 4+ (6 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Date: Stay tuned
Mythical Creatures Workshop
Dragons, gnomes and more! Do you know someone who loves to create adventures? These gardens are playtime options that explore creative expression. We begin with a garden walk for inspiration to begin our adventure together. Using hardy plants and natural materials these mini gardens each become unique and suited to playtime. Want to join a child for this workshop? Register yourself and make your own garden to take away. All materials are provided. Ages 4+
Date: Stay tuned
Fairy Garden Furnishings
Making your own fairy garden furnishings can be fun and easy with a little guidance. In this class we will take a walk together to forage natural materials that can be made into fun and functional furnishings for existing and future fairy gardens. We will explore doors, gates, transitions and theme related furnishings. Participants will also have access to supplies to make featured items and will be encouraged to source out their own special materials in nature going forward. Imagination is a wonderful tool as we learn to create items for these playful and whimsical gardens! For ages 7 to 12
- Date: TBD
NOTE: These workshops can be booked as a private workshop for child's birthday or by contacting youthprograms@hcp.ca
Garden Craft Workshops (Ages 4 and up)
Garden Craft Workshops
Tea Time
Tea brewing is an art form that goes back to ancient times. Did you know that many of the herbs growing in our gardens are easy to use for brewing. Together we will explore the herb and flower gardens and we will create our own blends to take home. This makes a great “friends meet up” for your child for an afternoon of creativity, gathering and fun!
Ages: 6 and up
Dates: TBD
Flower Pressing Workshop
Remember pressing flowers as a child? This memory is one that is enjoyed by many and easy to do. Together, we will gather flowers and leaves from the garden for pressing in our own little presses to take home. Then we will make some pressed flower crafts to learn how to preserve these little treasures for years to come! Enjoy some creative time with a child in your life and sign up for two! All materials are provided.
Ages: 6 and up
Dates: TBD
Herbal Creations
Many of us grow herbs in our gardens, but what can you do with them? In this fun and hands-on class, children will learn about some of the plants we know as herbs including; some of their uses, how to harvest them. We will practice methods of drying and creating teas, self care items and gifts that are easy and natural. Participants will make items to take home and share with their family and friends.
Ages: 4+
Dates: TBD
Everyday Wreath Making for Kids
Children love to create with natural materials and this class is perfect for those who enjoy crafting and using their hands. Using a variety of materials, including invasive plants and grapevines, we will create some interesting projects to take away.
Date: September 23, 2023
Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Fee: $40/participant, $35/with Family Membership
Register: HERE or call 250-479-6162
Lantern Making with Pressed Flowers
Treasure each petal, leaf and flower in your garden as an art form with this lantern making workshop using pressed flowers. Together we will explore how to collect botanicals, press them, and the steps of making a paper lantern using pressed flowers. Each participant will make their own lantern to take away.
Date: November 4, 2023
Time: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Fee: $35/participant, $30/with Family Membership
Register: HERE or call 250-479-6162
Garden Friends (Ages 3 to 6)
Garden Friends
Garden Friends is a half day program for parent and child several consecutive weeks. Children love to explore our gardens while observing and experiencing nature. Together, we will engage in a series of nature activities. Each session includes a garden wander, sharing circle and story time. Bring a snack and picnic blanket for story time and dress for the weather.
Ages: 3 to 6
Dates: TBD
Growing Together (Family)
Growing Together - for Families
Have you thought about growing your own food crops, but are overwhelmed? Let's work together in the HCP Kids Teaching Garden and transform an area into a garden plot. Learn about soils, productive garden planning, maximizing yields, managing pests, seeds and starts as well as seed saving. Join us along with your family for this 3 part workshop to build skills and understanding to make your own food production possible. This workshop series is also a great way to improve your garden experience. Bring along your own garden gloves.
All ages welcome!
Dates: TBD
HCP Kids Garden Club (Ages 3 to 14)
HCP Kids Garden Club
Do you know a child or youth who loves the outdoors and thrives in the garden? Our HCP Kids Garden provides many opportunities for land-based engagement activities, including seed starting and propagation, planting, garden maintenance, pollinator habitats, and so much more. Each weekly class will have us in this amazing teaching garden where we grow our own food crops. Hope you can join us with your pre-k learner or drop-off (or join) your school age child. There are lots of takeaways, including seeds, transplants and more! Please pack your child's own garden gloves if you have some and bring along a water bottle and snack, if needed. Ages 3 to 14 (Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult)
Fall 2023
Dates: Saturday's September 16, 23 (not Sep 30) October 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2023
Time: 9:00am to 11:00 am
Fees: $80
Register: ONLINE or call 250-479-6162
Holiday Crafts & Wreaths
Wreath Making for Families
Join us for this annual gathering to prepare a wreath for your home this holiday season. Using a selection of greenery along with friendly guidance, create a unique wreath to enjoy or gift! These small sized workshops offer a slower and easier pace for small hands to lend assistance with. All materials provided.
Dates: Dec 1, Dec 2 and Dec 3
Fee: $40 or $35 with Family Membership
Register: by clicking on the date and time or call 250-479-6162
- Friday Dec 1;
- Saturday Dec 2 Morning;
- Saturday Dec 2Afternoon;
- Sunday Dec 3 Morning;
- Sunday Dec 3 Afternoon
Nature Centre piece Workshop
Using our gardens and natural spaces for inspiration, we will explore designs and a variety of materials to create a beautiful centre piece for your holiday season. All materials are provided.
Date: Saturday December 9
Time: 10:00-11:30 AM
Fee: $35 or $30 with Family Membership
Register: On-line or Call 250-479-6162
Holiday Gift Making
Please someone this holiday season with handmade gifts inspired by the garden! We will explore a variety of easy and unique gifts made with local materials that will be a delight to give and receive. All materials provided. For children between 6 and 14 years
Date: Sunday December 10
Time: 1:30 to 3:00 PM
Fee: $40 or $35 with Family Membership
Register: On-line or call 250-479-6162
Science Friends (Ages 3 to 6)
Science Friends – Children and a Parent/Adult (Series)
Bring along your budding naturalist for a trek around the pathways, bridges and fields as we explore the creatures who call our gardens, woodlands and ponds their home. Each session will focus on a different nature friend and include adventure time to explore the many pathways throughout our space, story time and craft. Pack a snack and picnic blanket for story time and dress for the weather.
Ages: 3 to 6
Dates: 2024 - TBD
Seed Starting for Kids (Ages 5 and up)
Seed Starting for Kids
Seeds are an easy, inexpensive and fun way to grow plants for food and flower production. This hands-on workshop provides a step-by-step approach to sowing into trays. These seed starting basics are skills that create confidence to grow healthy plants that can be used in containers or garden beds. Each child will plant up a tray to take home to grow their own flowers and edible plants.
Date: 10 February 2024
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
Fee: $35 or $30 with Family Membership
Register: Online or call 250-479-6162
Stories in the Garden (Ages 3 and up)
Stories in the Garden
Imagine a gentle nature walk with your child to calm and inspire you both! This rain or shine outdoor program on our endless pathways provides us with many social and nature connections. This is followed by a story-time that encourages the development of listening skills and small group interactions. Plan to bring along your favourite story blanket and snack to enjoy during the story with your child. Please share word of this engaging program with your friends and make it a play date!
- Date: 2024 TBD
Terrarium Gardens (Ages 5 and up)
Terrarium Gardens
Gardening with tropicals and succulents is an easy way for children to use their creativity to make these miniature gardens. We will learn about the individual needs of these interesting plants and create a safe environment for them to grow in while using a glass container that is being reused or up-cycled. These make great gifts!
Ages: 5 and up.
Dates: TBD
