Boise Urban Garden School

Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) cultivates hands-on, inquiry based education with kids and adults across the Treasure Valley. Our students gain knowledge through “real life” experiences in the garden, farm stand, kitchen, and classroom. A student that is able to dig in the soil, plant a seed, and watch it grow, is excited to eat the fruits of their labor, and will understand the science behind a sprouting seed or photosynthesis.  

According to the National Gardening Association, studies show that school gardening projects give kids:

Nutrition Awareness: Youth who participate in garden-based learning programs not only have increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, but a newly gained enthusiasm for fresh, nutritious produce.

Higher Learning Achievements: Students who participate in school gardening activities score significantly higher on science achievement tests compared to students who did not experience any garden-based learning activities.

Environment Awareness: Students develop and nurture more positive attitudes about environment issues after participating in a school garden program. 

BUGS offers a variety of programs for youth and adults in our community:

Five Week Summer Program:  From June until early August, students ages 10-16 spend seven weeks in the garden, the kitchen, and the farm stand. Sowing these experiences, student sprout a deeper perceptive of nature, food and the impact healthy choices have on them and the environment.

One Week Summer Programs: Dig in to our summer camps with our one week offerings for students ages 6-14. Spend time in the garden, or cooking up culinary delights in the kitchen. Whichever camp you chose, kids can really get their hands dirty.

Field Trips: Schools and youth programs are invited to wander the BUGS garden each summer.  These hands-on experiences plant the questions of where food comes from, and why it matters, in the minds of the children. Participants tour the garden and “dig in” to activities that will give them a new understanding of the art and science behind organic gardening. 

Just Add Water: A tool kit that helps schools create and maintain a school garden program of their own. Within this manual, BUGS provides lesson plans for educators, garden plans, and the option of ongoing teacher training from BUGS staff.