Welcome to
Garden Camps
374 Hicks Road Nashville 37221
overview
Children ages 2 to 4 embark on a fun-filled adventure designed just for them.
With guidance and support they'll play in the garden surrounded by trees and flowers, and immersed in sensorial activities. Tending to the growing plants they will harvest herbs to “cook” in the mud kitchen.
Friends with strong legs will also explore the playscape in the woods after hiking the trail.
All will enjoy cooling off with garden water play.
Along the way, they’ll dive into arts, music, and nature-inspired activities.
During quieter moments, children can engage with sensorial activities while cooling off indoors, practice yoga, relax with stories, or take a nap to refresh their growing minds and bodies.
It’s the ideal balance of excitement and rest for our youngest explorers!
Cost is $370/week
374 Hicks Road Nashville Tennessee 37221
Hours
8am to 3:00 pm
Pick-up window is 3:00 to 3:20
Late fee of $15 charged to your account if arriving after 3:20pm.
We are offering 6 weeks, read each theme below.
Through planting, digging, crafting, and exploring, children will experience the joy of growing, the beauty of nature, and the satisfaction of working with their hands. This week is all about curiosity, creativity, and connection to the earth, to each other, and to the incredible world of plants!
Week 1:
Garden Explorers – Dig, Plant, and Grow!
June 9 to 13
Step into a world of gardens, growth, and hands-on discovery! This week, campers will explore the magic of different types of gardens—each offering unique textures, scents, and life.
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Discover the hidden wonders of the woodland, from towering trees to tiny fungi, and learn how nature’s garden thrives without human help.
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Engage the senses with the colors and aromas of flowers and herbs. We’ll plant, touch, smell, and even taste some of nature’s most delightful treasures!
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Experiment with design, movement, and creativity as we shape landscapes, build sand sculptures, and explore how sand shifts and changes.
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Get your hands dirty with the rich, squishy joy of mud! We’ll make seed balls, build with mud bricks, and learn why soil is the foundation of all gardens.
Whether they’re setting up a tent, spotting a bird through their handmade blind, or listening to the rustling of leaves, this week will inspire a lifetime of wonder for the great outdoors!
Week 2:
Into the Wild – Camping & Wildlife Exploration
June 16 to 20 (Closed on June 19 for Holiday)
This week is a nice daytime practice for real camping. You are all invited to join us for a night of camping at the Overall Creek Arboretum. We are celebrating 20 years of nature programming. Join us for a fun time!
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Get ready for a week of adventure as we pitch tents, build shelters, and explore the wonders of the wild! Campers will dive into the basics of camping, learning about different types of tents, how to set up a cozy campsite, and the skills needed to create their own shelters using natural materials.
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Throughout the week, we’ll become nature observers, tuning into the sights and sounds of the forest. We’ll build bird blinds to quietly watch local birds and wildlife, track animal signs, and discover how creatures adapt to their environment. Using our senses and curiosity, we’ll develop a deep appreciation for the world around us.
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Through hands-on exploration, storytelling around our “campfire,” and creative projects, children will develop teamwork, problem-solving skills, and a love for outdoor adventure.
Through music, movement, storytelling, and hands-on creativity, campers will experience the joy of celebration, both in nature and in community.
As we dance, sing, and shine, we’ll ask: How do sound, color, and light affect us? How do they bring us together?
Get ready to play, create, and celebrate in a week filled with rhythm, glow, and wonder!
Week 3:
Festival of Music & Light – A Celebration of Nature & Creativity!
June 23 to 27
This week, we bring the magic of festivals to life! Campers will explore how music and light shape celebrations—in nature and in cultures around the world.
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Which animals make music? We’ll listen for bird songs, insect rhythms, and frog choruses, learning how creatures use sound to communicate. We’ll also create our own nature-inspired instruments and experiment with rhythm and melody.
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Which animals make light? Fireflies, bioluminescent fungi, and deep-sea creatures will spark our curiosity as we explore the science of glowing life. Campers will experiment with shadow play, lantern-making, and light-inspired art.
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Around the world, humans celebrate with music, dance, and lights. We’ll learn about different festivals, then create our own, complete with decorations, costumes, and a joyful parade through the forest!
Through construction, storytelling, and open-ended play, children will explore the art of small-scale creation, learning how tiny spaces can hold big ideas, dreams, and stories.
Let’s build, imagine, and create small worlds with endless possibilities!
Week 4:
Small Worlds – Big Imagination!
July 7 to 11
This week, we shrink down and step into the magic of tiny worlds, secret hideaways, and miniature creations! Campers will explore how both humans and animals build small, intricate spaces for shelter, play, and storytelling.
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How do birds, insects, and animals create their homes? We’ll observe nests, burrows, and dens, then gather natural materials to build our own cozy hideaways—just like the creatures around us.
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Using natural and recycled materials, we’ll design and build tiny landscapes, fairy houses, and enchanted villages—where imagination brings small worlds to life!
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Campers will create miniature theaters, puppets, and story settings to act out their own adventures, blending creativity with hands-on building.
Through hands-on discovery, exploration, and experiments, campers will learn how nature recycles, renews, and sustains itself. By the end of the week, they’ll see forests and gardens in a whole new way—full of life, even in the smallest places!
Week 5:
Nature’s Recyclers – The Secret World of Decomposers
July 14 to 18
This week, we’ll dig deep into the hidden heroes of the forest and garden—worms, fungi, insects, and other tiny creatures that break down nature’s leftovers and turn them into rich, healthy soil!
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We’ll get up close with red wigglers and earthworms, learning how they turn food scraps into nutrient-rich compost. Campers will create their own mini worm farms and discover how these underground workers help plants grow.
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Mushrooms and mold may seem mysterious, but they play a huge role in breaking down dead plants and trees. We’ll explore where fungi grow, how they spread, and why they are essential to life on Earth.
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Beetles, ants, roly-polies, and other insects help clean up the forest floor. Campers will observe these creatures in action and build decomposer habitats to see their work up close.
Through hands-on crafting, tasting, and experimenting, children will connect with the land in a new way—discovering how plants nourish, heal, and support our well-being.
Let’s mix, blend, and create together in this week of garden magic!
Week 6:
Garden Apothecary – Nature’s Gifts for Wellness
July 21 to 25
This week, we’ll harvest, mix, and create as we explore how plants can nourish and heal! Using the bounty from our gardens, campers will learn traditional ways to prepare teas, salves, and healthy snacks inspired by nature.
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We’ll harvest mint, chamomile, lemon balm, and other fragrant herbs to brew delicious and soothing teas, discovering their different flavors and uses.
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Using flowers, herbs, and natural oils, campers will create simple salves for soothing scrapes, insect bites, and dry skin—learning how plants have been used for healing for generations.
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Campers will prepare nutritious, plant-based snacks, using dried fruits, seeds, and garden ingredients to make delicious energy bars and treats.