Direct Involvement Recreation Teaching

We provide hands on education through recreational activities.

“It is an oasis of plant and animal life among the concrete jungle. It has brought hope of change to this alleyway and downtown.” 

"Our summer programs have benefited greatly from the space and participation from DIRT. Our visits to the DIRT Park are the highlight of the week for most of these kids." -Early Learning Center Teacher. DIRT has just completed the second summer at the Urban Garden. It is there we focus on free play and exploratory development.

We have two outdoor learning centers being developed currently. One at Mae Richardson Elementary and the second at Jewett Elementary in Central Point Oregon.

"Some of the kids in the neighborhood don't even have yards let alone a garden to play in. We are so happy to see this park." –Elementary Teacher

The Food Forest located at Mae Richardson Elementary encourage discussion and exploration of our food system and a place for free play. The older children guide the younger students through the food forest.  It is   a modified peer-led, team learning approach.

The School of Fish program located at Jewett Elementary explores the radical practice of aquaponics. This farming system uses the natural combination of aquaculture and hydroponics using nearly 95 percent less water than traditional farming. It illustrates the symbiotic relationship between the fish byproduct and the nutrient needs of the plant life.

The natural side effect of the activities DIRT is involved in tends to be two fold – strengthening our community through participation, and beautifying our surroundings.  These acts are changing our climate- we are "being" the change we wish to see.