Growing Good Summer Garden Program
Description
Rochester Ecology Partners and Foodlink have partnered to offer another summer of “Growing Good” to Rochester’s families for the summer of 2026. This gardening and nature summer program is for children who live anywhere in Greater Rochester and want to learn how food grows, go on field trips, and make new friends on an urban farm.
Who is it for?
Children currently in grades K-5 are welcome to attend. Please reach out about needs and accomodations.
When is it?
Mon-Fri 9:00 – 3:00
Session 1: July 6 – 17 (WAITING LIST)
Session 2: July 20 – July 31 (WAITING LIST)
Session 3: Aug 3 – 14 (WAITING LIST)
Session 4: Aug 17 – 21 (WAITING LIST)
Families can register for one or more sessions
Where is it?
The newly constructed Foodlink Edible Education Center at 585 Lexington Avenue.
Why sign up?
- Learn about growing food
- Go on field trips
- Make friends and have fun
- Improve health and academics
Each day will be a mix of lessons about food and nature, free time, and choice time to work on projects and activities that bring individual youth joy in an engaging way like making bird houses, hunting for bugs, and tending to garden beds.
Every Thursday everyone will go on a field study to a local park or farm to learn more about nature in our community.
How much is it?
This program offered on a sliding scale for families. We ask families to pick the cost that fits their budgets and makes sure we are able to offer this program to everyone. We will do everything we can to make this accessible to all families, reach out if this cost is a barrier.
- $50 for 1 week / $100 for 2 weeks
- $150 for 1 week / $300 for 2 weeks
Support the Program
Growing Good is a community effort. We appreciate your willingness to help us make this an awesome summer for participants. We are currently seeking volunteers and donors for this summer.
Volunteer
We have volunteer opportunities available for members of the community who would like to help us out. Please select the week or weeks you would like to help and choose which days you are interested in. We will follow up once we get your application.
Details:
- Volunteers will be working directly with youth, supporting the setup of activities and materials, or other needed tasks.
- We ask that volunteers commit to a whole day from 8:30 – 3:30.
- All volunteering will start and end at the Foodlink Farm Edible Education Center, 607 Lexington Avenue.
- You will be outdoors in the sun the entire time. Please consider your capacity for heat and high levels of activity.
- All volunteers are expected to undergo a background check.
- Thursdays are field study days. Volunteers will travel with the program.
Step 2. Complete the camper registration form and releases by June 1.
Link to camper information form
Step 3. Review the expectations for families and youth.
Link to expectations for families and youth
Reach out to neighborhoodnature@rocecology.org or 585-851-1648 (call or text) with questions or to register by phone.
Cancellation Policy:
We understand things change. We request you inform us of your cancellation 30 days or more before the start date of the camp so we can give the opportunity to another child.
We will provide refunds on the following schedule:
30+ days – full refund
15-30 days – half refund
14 days or less – no refund
(Special cases will be considered for adjusted refunds)
Accommodations / Health and Medical Details
We will make every effort to accommodate the everyones needs. There may be some situations where we need to have a discussion about individual needs before registration. Please reach out with questions.
All participants must be up to date with vaccinations
Families are expected to alert us to any significant medical needs a child has.
Our Partners and Sponsors
