Chicago Botanic Garden

Center for Teaching and Learning Strategic Plan Programming

The mission of the Center for Teaching and Learning (http://www.chicagobotanic.org/ctl/) (CTL) at the Chicago Botanic Garden is to develop, deliver, and evaluate plant-based educational programs for teachers, school students, and youth from early childhood through early adulthood. Our programs engage learners of all ages and backgrounds through hands-on, interactive experiences with plant and environmental science, ecology, and nature. The long-term goal of the CTL is to deliver highly effective early childhood, youth, K-12, and teacher environmental education programs that will be recognized as an international model for proven best practices.  This goal is reached through three areas of focus: Youth and Family Programs, Teacher and Student Programs, and Enrichment and Internship Programs.

1. Youth & Family Programs

http://www.chicagobotanic.org/ctl/youth_family

Youth and family programs provide a variety of formal and informal nature-based programs that engage children ages 2-15 and their families in the exploration of the natural environment. Program areas include fee-based, drop-in and self-guided programming both on site at the garden and at regional and local festivals and events.

Fee-Based Programs

  • Camps at the Garden serve almost 1400 children ages 2-15 each summer and conservation, gardening, science, and arts options that engage youth with the natural world. Winter and Spring break camps offer opportunities for children ages 5-8 to engage in exciting indoor & outdoor high-quality learning activities during school vacations. http://www.chicagobotanic.org/camp/index.php
  • Boy and Girl Scouts badge programs offer activities to help troops earn scouting badges. Certified by the Northeast Illinois Council, the Chicago Botanic Garden provides Boy Scout earned scouting patches in addition to our Chicago Botanic Garden patch. Seasonal Scouts workshops focus on the changes that come each spring, summer, fall, and winter. Campouts offer low-stress, introductory camping experiences for youth groups and their leaders. http://www.chicagobotanic.org/scout/index.php
  • Club CBG afterschool program is a series of fun, hands-on educational afterschool programs for kids in grades 2 through 5. They meet once a week after school in three seasonal (winter, spring & fall) sessions. http://www.chicagobotanic.org/afterschool/clubcbg
  • Weekend Family Classes provide hands-on opportunities for children ages 4 to 12 and adults to discover how nature and plants connect to our everyday lives via a variety of classes such as Wiggling Worms (learning about composting & sustainability) and Pizza Gardens (exploring plants we eat). http://www.chicagobotanic.org/familyprograms/index.php
  • Little Diggers  is a seven-class series for children ages 2 and 3 and their caregivers on select weekday mornings. It provides an introduction to nature and the Garden for toddlers and preschoolers through group and individual self-guided art, science, and early literacy activities. http://www.chicagobotanic.org/littlediggers/
  • Nature Nights are offered once a month, from June through October. Families with children ages 4-10 have the opportunity to picnic in the Children’s Garden followed by twilight exploration and discovery throughout the Garden. Themes will focus on areas such as McDonald Woods and Dixon Prairie.  http://www.chicagobotanic.org/naturenights/
  • Birthday Parties give children turning 5 and older a fun, educational opportunity to celebrate at the Garden. Parties are offered on weekends and topics include Plant Part Art, Beautiful Birds, and Gumballs & Superballs. http://www.chicagobotanic.org/birthdays/