Growing Together: Open Forum

Hi all,

I'm having a blast connecting with those of you at the American Horticultural Society's Children & Youth Garden Symposium. What a fantastic few days of learning and networking!

I wanted to open up a discussion thread here so we can continue the conversations started at the Symposium and keep these new connections alive. 

Please jump in which reflections, questions, or ideas that came up for you at the event. I'll start:

• What is one takeaway for you that you know you will implement right away when you get home? 

For me, I'm bring home an increased emphasis on inclusion and simple steps to take to make sure that everyone in the meetings, programs, events, etc. that I am part of feels like they are being seen and considered, and included. I think we all want gardens to feel like safe, inclusive places where we belong, and I learned some great tips for how to do that over the last few days.

Be well,
Em



------------------------------
Em Shipman
Executive Director
KidsGardening
------------------------------

Hi Em, 

Loved hearing this as I am preparing to start back next week!  Would you be able to share the tips?  I am excited to be back with students again very soon!  Thank you!
Kathy Venable

------------------------------
Kathleen Venable
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-14-2022 06:18:20 PM
From: Em Shipman
Subject: 2022 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

Hi all,

I'm having a blast connecting with those of you at the American Horticultural Society's Children & Youth Garden Symposium. What a fantastic few days of learning and networking!

I wanted to open up a discussion thread here so we can continue the conversations started at the Symposium and keep these new connections alive. 

Please jump in which reflections, questions, or ideas that came up for you at the event. I'll start:

• What is one takeaway for you that you know you will implement right away when you get home? 

For me, I'm bring home an increased emphasis on inclusion and simple steps to take to make sure that everyone in the meetings, programs, events, etc. that I am part of feels like they are being seen and considered, and included. I think we all want gardens to feel like safe, inclusive places where we belong, and I learned some great tips for how to do that over the last few days.

Be well,
Em



------------------------------
Em Shipman
Executive Director
KidsGardening
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 7/15/2022 11:25:00 AM
From: Kathleen Venable
Subject: RE: 2022 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

Hi Em, 

Loved hearing this as I am preparing to start back next week!  Would you be able to share the tips?  I am excited to be back with students again very soon!  Thank you!
Kathy Venable

------------------------------
Kathleen Venable
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-14-2022 06:18:20 PM
From: Em Shipman
Subject: 2022 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

Hi all,

I'm having a blast connecting with those of you at the American Horticultural Society's Children & Youth Garden Symposium. What a fantastic few days of learning and networking!

I wanted to open up a discussion thread here so we can continue the conversations started at the Symposium and keep these new connections alive. 

Please jump in which reflections, questions, or ideas that came up for you at the event. I'll start:

• What is one takeaway for you that you know you will implement right away when you get home? 

For me, I'm bring home an increased emphasis on inclusion and simple steps to take to make sure that everyone in the meetings, programs, events, etc. that I am part of feels like they are being seen and considered, and included. I think we all want gardens to feel like safe, inclusive places where we belong, and I learned some great tips for how to do that over the last few days.

Be well,
Em



------------------------------
Em Shipman
Executive Director
KidsGardening
------------------------------

I absolutely loved the venue, the many great speakers, excellent catering and urban gardens tour. Highlight for me was the incredible people I met!

------------------------------
Janet Reilly
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-14-2022 06:18:20 PM
From: Em Shipman
Subject: 2022 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

Hi all,

I'm having a blast connecting with those of you at the American Horticultural Society's Children & Youth Garden Symposium. What a fantastic few days of learning and networking!

I wanted to open up a discussion thread here so we can continue the conversations started at the Symposium and keep these new connections alive. 

Please jump in which reflections, questions, or ideas that came up for you at the event. I'll start:

• What is one takeaway for you that you know you will implement right away when you get home? 

For me, I'm bring home an increased emphasis on inclusion and simple steps to take to make sure that everyone in the meetings, programs, events, etc. that I am part of feels like they are being seen and considered, and included. I think we all want gardens to feel like safe, inclusive places where we belong, and I learned some great tips for how to do that over the last few days.

Be well,
Em



------------------------------
Em Shipman
Executive Director
KidsGardening
------------------------------

I attended the symposium with a colleague and we had a fantastic conference.  The sessions were all excellent and I learned something in each one that I will think about and use again.  We work with preschoolers so not all content was developmentally appropriate but I still gleaned many things for me personally and especially liked the keynotes on Biomimicry and mental health benefits of being in nature ( though this is kind of a no-brainer for me!) the info about Wildrock etc was great.
I think the session on helping people not be afraid of insects was one of the best and something I can use for both teacher training and when working with children.  The venue was beautiful, I only wish there had been more time to explore the gardens during cooler times of day.  Food was amazing and healthy and attendees were fun and interesting.

------------------------------
Maria Hitt
Orange County Partnership for Young Children
HIllsborough NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-14-2022 06:18:20 PM
From: Em Shipman
Subject: 2022 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

Hi all,

I'm having a blast connecting with those of you at the American Horticultural Society's Children & Youth Garden Symposium. What a fantastic few days of learning and networking!

I wanted to open up a discussion thread here so we can continue the conversations started at the Symposium and keep these new connections alive. 

Please jump in which reflections, questions, or ideas that came up for you at the event. I'll start:

• What is one takeaway for you that you know you will implement right away when you get home? 

For me, I'm bring home an increased emphasis on inclusion and simple steps to take to make sure that everyone in the meetings, programs, events, etc. that I am part of feels like they are being seen and considered, and included. I think we all want gardens to feel like safe, inclusive places where we belong, and I learned some great tips for how to do that over the last few days.

Be well,
Em



------------------------------
Em Shipman
Executive Director
KidsGardening
------------------------------

What a great conference! This was my first time attending NCYGS, and it was wonderful connecting with so many other garden educators.

One takeaway I am bringing back with me is the importance of adding more moments of curiosity and play to my work, even when working with adults! Some of my favorite sessions had us creating our own garden songs, constructing garden mandalas, and designing mini gardens for creatures - all activities that made us laugh and enjoy the present moment.

------------------------------
Sarah Lane
KidsGardening
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-14-2022 06:18:20 PM
From: Em Shipman
Subject: 2022 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

Hi all,

I'm having a blast connecting with those of you at the American Horticultural Society's Children & Youth Garden Symposium. What a fantastic few days of learning and networking!

I wanted to open up a discussion thread here so we can continue the conversations started at the Symposium and keep these new connections alive. 

Please jump in which reflections, questions, or ideas that came up for you at the event. I'll start:

• What is one takeaway for you that you know you will implement right away when you get home? 

For me, I'm bring home an increased emphasis on inclusion and simple steps to take to make sure that everyone in the meetings, programs, events, etc. that I am part of feels like they are being seen and considered, and included. I think we all want gardens to feel like safe, inclusive places where we belong, and I learned some great tips for how to do that over the last few days.

Be well,
Em



------------------------------
Em Shipman
Executive Director
KidsGardening
------------------------------

Em, thank you for starting the conversation! So glad to hear all of the great feedback, everyone please be sure to complete your surveys to  be entered to win one of our updated copies of Encyclopedia of Gardening Techniques! If you have further feedback to share regarding the future of NCYGS, please email to education@ahsgardening.org.

Thanks to everyone for a terrific week!

Nora MacDonald
Associate Director of Membership and Member Programs
American Horticultural Society

------------------------------
Nora MacDonald
Alexandria VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-14-2022 06:18:20 PM
From: Em Shipman
Subject: 2022 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

Hi all,

I'm having a blast connecting with those of you at the American Horticultural Society's Children & Youth Garden Symposium. What a fantastic few days of learning and networking!

I wanted to open up a discussion thread here so we can continue the conversations started at the Symposium and keep these new connections alive. 

Please jump in which reflections, questions, or ideas that came up for you at the event. I'll start:

• What is one takeaway for you that you know you will implement right away when you get home? 

For me, I'm bring home an increased emphasis on inclusion and simple steps to take to make sure that everyone in the meetings, programs, events, etc. that I am part of feels like they are being seen and considered, and included. I think we all want gardens to feel like safe, inclusive places where we belong, and I learned some great tips for how to do that over the last few days.

Be well,
Em



------------------------------
Em Shipman
Executive Director
KidsGardening
------------------------------