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About this class:
This seasonal series of inspiring, hands-on activities blend ancient techniques with modern sustainability knowledge, providing a well-rounded experience that helps develop cultural awareness, ecological stewardship, leadership, confidence, and self-reliance balanced with community care. Through interaction, collaboration, and design, our exciting curriculum seeds an awareness of concepts like natural crafting, the soil food web, biodiverse ecosystems, organic agriculture, permaculture, and sustenance, while instilling a lasting sense of awe and enjoyment for living systems.
Who can participate: Offered for youth ages 13-17* who participate independently, without parents or family members present. During our final class of each season, other family members are invited to our Family Day celebration for a farm tour, collaborative cooking & merriment.
Our students represent diverse communities with a wide range of learning styles, cultural backgrounds, abilities, and interests. We work with families to provide reasonable accommodations so students can succeed on their own terms at our farm. Children who need regular 1:1 support or who experience severe sensory dysregulation—particularly intensified by loud sounds or textures common in our environment—may need an outside support person, like a DSP, to participate in this class. We celebrate our diverse needs, including the need for individual support and time away from groups to regulate; however, we are unable to provide 1:1 individual support without additional funding or family-provided support professionals.
*Some 12 year olds may be eligible for this class or may be a better fit in Children’s Garden Club. We will work with families to determine the best class placement for 12-year-olds. Please email us at info@parkerlearninggardens.org for more information.
2026 Schedule: Each season features fresh and exciting projects, ensuring no two seasons are the same! Drop-off is available within 15 minutes before the class start time for added convenience.
Spring: March 9 – May 18 (11 weeks), Mondays 4 to 6 p.m.
Two-week break - Volunteer opportunities may be available.
Summer: June 8 – August 17 (11 weeks), Mondays 12 to 2 p.m. (Bring lunch!)
One-week break - Volunteer opportunities may be available.
Fall: August 31 – November 9 (10 weeks), Mondays 4 to 6 p.m.
Fall/Winter Break - Ask us about volunteer opportunities!
Skills and topics covered:
Natural Crafting, Soil Food Web and Biodiverse Ecosystems, Organic and Regenerative Agriculture, Permaculture Design, Sustainable Living Practices
Hands-on projects:
Participants will take on dynamic tasks that include constructing bamboo shelters, building earthen cob walls, and crafting natural bows and arrows. They will create living willow structures, conduct farm animal intelligence experiments, and propagate mushroom logs. Other exciting projects include producing biochar, weaving garden structures, natural dyeing, and making artisan bowls and masks.
Youth leadership opportunities:
Participants are offered, but not required, to explore leadership roles, guiding their group in a supportive, low-pressure environment. With mentorship from experienced instructors and volunteers, teens will build confidence and communication skills while fostering teamwork.
About our instructors:
Our staff members are approved through the Oregon Department of Education Central Background Registry, trained in Adult and Pediatric First Aid, AED, and CPR, and receive ongoing training to meet the diverse needs of our students. In addition to their qualifications, they undergo continuous professional development to meet the unique needs of both individuals and groups.
Nate aka “Usnea,” & Sarah aka “Redbud” are Lead Instructors for the Youth Discovery Project in 2026, with expertise in wild crafting, outdoor education, living willow structure design, fine woodworking, fermentation science, organic farming, equitable youth mentorship and more. Their knowledge of ethnobotany, cultural practices, applied science, and the arts add depth to the curriculum, blending traditional ecological knowledge with creative expression. To ensure personalized attention, we maintain a 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio, with occasional support from instructional volunteers and guest speakers.
Communication & 2026 updates:
Please note we have increased our prices slightly to account for rising inflation & payment processing fees. New in 2026, we will be implementing text alerts direct to your phone for our most important messages like class cancellations (due to weather or illness), registration deadlines & more.
Instructors will primarily correspond with caregivers via a communication app to provide and receive real-time feedback regularly like links to farming & gardening tips, recipes, and updates for class. We will send more information about our communication methods closer to the class start date. We can accommodate other family communication needs on a case-by-case basis.
