Cultivating Community:
Gardening with Kids in Southeast Alaska
Thursday, May 28 – Sunday, May 31, 2026
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Join us for an immersive outdoor experience focused on exploring how to bring students into the garden. Designed for Juneau School District teachers and staff, this professional development program offers hands-on learning for building, maintaining, and using school gardens with students of all ages.
In Juneau, many of us are disconnected from the source of our food, and from the experience of growing and sharing a communal harvest. This course helps build the knowledge and practical skills needed to grow food within a school community, while helping students develop meaningful connections with the land, their food, and one another.
Master gardener Joel Bos and naturalist Steve Merli will guide participants through the fundamentals of school gardening and explore the many benefits gardens offer for both children and adults. Over four field days, we will visit thriving school and community gardens and learn directly from the local growing environment. Time and weather permitting, we may also see what’s growing in nearby forests.
Topics will include:
- Selecting vegetables that grow well in Southeast Alaska
- Building and maintaining raised garden beds
- Tool safety and basic garden skills
- Strategies for involving students throughout the gardening process
Throughout the program, we will also set aside time for reflection, discussing ways to engage students in nature-based experiences that foster curiosity, connection, and lifelong learning.
Note: Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain.
COURSE SCHEDULE
- Thursday, May 28: 6-8 PM | Meet at Sayéik Gastineau Community School
- Friday, May 29: 6-8 PM | Meet at Kaxdigoowu Héen Elementary School
- Saturday, May 30: 9:30 AM – 3 PM | Meet at Juneau Community Garden (off Back Loop Rd)
- Sunday, May 31: 9:30 AM – 3 PM | Meet at Juneau Community Garden (off Back Loop Rd)
Since we’re walking along the river, we’ll end each day at a different location. We’ll use private vehicles to shuttle participants back to cars at the starting point of the day’s hike.
REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
Discovery Southeast does not charge for this program. However, teachers seeking Ed 581 professional development credit must register with UAA, pay their accreditation fee, and complete the seminar, independent study, and a final project/journal. We’ll provide you with the information you need, if you’re interested.
Members of the general public (outside of the Juneau School District) are welcome to enroll after May 20.
Although there is no cost, be sure to “check out” below to confirm your registration and reserve your spot. You should receive a confirmation email/receipt from info@discoverysoutheast.org.
Please complete our Participant Agreement within 48 hours of registering. You can review or complete the Participant Agreement here.
If the course is full (“out of stock”), you can join our waitlist here.
The deadline to register is Tuesday, May 26.
QUESTIONS?
Reach out to mclain@discoverysoutheast.org.
