The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

Educational Programs for Georgia Youth

Blairsville Junior Garden Club performing a planting project

Youth Garden Clubs
The Garden Club of Georgia encourages all of its adult clubs to sponsor Youth Garden Clubs—whether at the elementary, middle school or high school level. They can be affiliated with a school, church, neighborhood, or an established Scout group. Programs should be tailored to the interest of the membership and to the grade level of the students.

Once it is a registered member, the Youth Club can apply for awards, and participate in GCG activities. Contact GCG Youth Chairman Jean O'Shields at 478-825-3540 or oshieldsjj@bellsouth.net for more information. See the GCG Forms page to access registration forms. Youth Club activity news >

Youth Clubs Newsletter
Our Youth Team is now publishing a newsletter featuring the activities of our Youth Clubs. Access the most recent issue here >

GEORGIA! Keep It Green and Clean
The Garden Club of Georgia produced a youth environmental education video with an anti-litter message targeting 8-10 year olds. The purpose of this video is to make students aware of litter and its consequences, instilling in them the value of reducing litter in Georgia and how they can help make Georgia a more beautiful state. Read more >

High School Essay Contest
This contest is open to high school students attending 9th through 12th grades, sponsored by a single member garden club, group of member clubs, councils or districts, or a state garden club. The Garden Club of Georgia has historically done very well with our State Winners for essays, some of whom have gone on to earn top honors at the Deep South Region and National levels. Contest guidelines >

Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Posters
First through 5th graders are invited to demonstrate through original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl their understanding of fire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles. Savings bonds are awarded for each National grade level, and the Grand Prize winner wins a trip to Washington, DC. Contest guidelines >

Youth Poetry Contest
This contest, for grades kindergarten through 9th, encourages youth to express creative ideas about their place in nature through the medium of poetry. Entries are due by November 1. Contest guidelines >

Mountains to the Sea
This youth project began as a six-day traveling youth environmental camp in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, then evolved into the "Mountains to the Sea" web site, an online teaching tool. Read more >

National Garden Clubs Project
It's a great idea to encourage our Youth Clubs to participate in NGC's projects "Protecting Aquatic Systems" and "Planting in Public and Special Places." Container Gardening and Gardens with Edibles are two topics that could be easily adapted to youth activities. Read more >

Wild and Wonderful Summer Youth Camp
GCG sponsors a Summer Youth Camp at Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center for rising 5th and 6th graders who wish to learn more about nature, wildlife conservation and environmental issues. View a recap of the Summer Camp and information about upcoming Camps >