ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Educational Garden Project is inviting families to sign up for its upcoming summer Garden Camps, where children learn about food, farming and the natural world through hands-on activities.

Based in Asheville, the group’s mission is to cultivate healthy communities by growing and sharing food with children and their families. Its Garden Camp program offers youth the opportunity to plant, harvest and cook fresh food, care for animals and explore the outdoors in a structured but flexible environment.

Organizers say campers are especially enthusiastic about picking vegetables they planted themselves, cooking meals from the garden and spending time with animals such as chicks, bunnies and ducks. Activities also include free play, nature-based crafts and collaborative projects.

Each week of camp centers on a seasonal theme designed to connect children to nature. Campers rotate through activity stations that encourage exploration and choice while staff members lead hands-on learning experiences throughout the day.

In addition to gardening, children participate in projects such as building small cob houses for ducks, creating art from natural materials and harvesting herbs. Organizers say the program emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving and responsibility, with the goal of building confidence and leadership skills.

Campers often take home plants, flowers, food or art they have grown or created during the week.