May 5, 2013

1. Outside Learning

Division 1 has been attending Maples Discovery Gardens every second Thursday morning to learn about and participate in gardening. The students have several garden plots which they are responsible for. To begin with they had to weed their plots and have since begun to plant various herbs and vegetables. The students have planted tomatoes, different types of unique herbs and potatoes which will later be given to the food bank. The students also learn important aspects of growing food and gardening when they attend Maples. They learned exactly how much of the planet has land that is sustainable for crops, they discovered the difference between dirt and soil, they learned how to fix root bound plants before replanting them, they learned about plant propagation and more! You are free to visit Maples at anytime with your child and they can share their gardening plot and experience with you. Thank you to Ms. V for organizing this great experience for her students.

The Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op is a non-profit community services cooperative located on six acres of botanical and native gardens with community walking paths, events square, garden plots and greenhouse. It is the first entity of local community development; an important component of the future Jericho Comprehensive Master Planned Community in the Township of Langley. It is situated just south of the Trans Canada Highway No. 1 in the Jericho-Willoughby area right across from the 60 acre Willoughby Community Park and the Langley Events Centre.

The purpose of the Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op, which is a social enterprise, is to encourage community groups and the community at large to participate in programs that advance and sustain health improvement, disease prevention and environmentally friendly activities while striving to create “a healthy community by nature”. It is the intention of the Co-op to ensure every member can actively participate to their full potential. The Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op will support the empowerment of seniors, youth and the community at large with the opportunity to live active healthy lives through gardening in an accessible environment.