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Duke Today Podcast: Nature Science and Learning in Duke Gardens

Gardens expanding programs for kids of all ages

For many years, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens has brought nature education alive for children. Now the Gardens is expanding some of its most popular program offerings to introduce young learners to the natural world.

"Children love the Gardens," says Annie Nashold, director of children's education and family programs at Duke Gardens. "It's a very positive experience for them."

Nature for Sprouts offers nature explorations for pre-school 3-, 4- and 5-year old children. Beginning this year, it's expanding to a four-season format, with the winter series getting underway in February.

"It's a wonderful way to get young explorers into the Gardens, where they learn to look at the natural world," says Nashold.

The Gardens' children's programs are led by a group of volunteer docents, who go through extensive training and love working with children. Many of the programs bring together visual art, music, story-telling and other forms of creative expression, says Nashold.

"We have a performing arts program that runs four times a year, in which we bring in local artists," she says. "We also offer a teacher-training workshop with the Nasher Museum."

Duke Gardens is also expanding its lineup of popular week-long summer day camps, says Nashold.

"This coming summer, we're expanding our Nature Adventures Camps to four weeks, for ages 6 to 13. The youngest children will explore animal habitats. Kids in the middle years, from 8 to 11, will look at the interconnections between plants, animals and people. For the older kids, 12 and 13, we'll have a program in observational nature journaling."

To learn more about children's programs at Duke Gardens, visit the Duke Gardens website. For more details about programs and enrollment, call (919) 668-1708.