Partnership between YMCA, Garden gave youth opportunities to plant, pick, eat, learn

YMCA Day Camp youth wrapped up a summer of hands-on learning and community service with their final visit to the Barry County Community Garden on Aug. 4.

With dirty hands, bright smiles and 50 pounds of vegetables harvested, the campers spent the morning celebrating the hard work they had done over the past several weeks.

The garden, supported by the University of Missouri Extension and maintained by local volunteers, has served as a living classroom for children throughout the summer. Each week, on Mondays and Thursdays, campers arrived ready to dig into lessons about growing food, supporting pollinators and giving back to their community.

“The kids really love coming to the garden,” said one YMCA counselor. “They learned how gardens work, where food actually comes from and how even kids can make a difference.”

The YMCA camp partnered with the Barry County Community Garden to give day campers a unique, hands-on learning opportunity. Under the guidance of volunteers, the campers helped plant, water, weed and harvest rows of vegetables and flowers. Along the way, they learned about composting, the importance of soil health and the vital role of pollinators like bees and butterflies.

The garden doesn’t just benefit the campers. A large portion of the produce grown there is donated directly to the Cassville Pantry and the Senior Center in Cassville. The children were involved in that process too — picking vegetables each week.

“Knowing that the food they helped grow would go to someone else in need gave the kids a feeling of pride and accomplishment,” a garden volunteer said. “They were proud of their hard work, and they should be. They came even during the hottest days in July and worked hard.” During their final morning at the garden, the children enjoyed a mix of fun and remembrance. They picked sunflowers, tomatoes, peppers and beans. As usual, they sampled garden-grown snacks. They even got to take home their own produce and some seeds to continue their learning journey.

During a round table discussion under the shade of the pavilion, one camper said, “I didn’t know I would like it so much. I want to grow my own tomatoes now!”

Before leaving, the campers formed a circle to share their favorite memories. From watering rows of vegetables to watching butterflies land on flowers they had planted, the children remembered moments filled with joy, teamwork and discovery.

“The laughter and excitement they brought every week made the garden come alive and made every hot day worth it,” a Barry County Community Garden press release said. “They’re leaving the garden better than they found it and it left a lasting impression on them too!”

The YMCA Day Camp partnership with the Barry County Community Garden was a success — growing more than just vegetables, but also growing knowledge, kindness, and community spirit, the release added.

Anyone who would like to know more about the Barry County Community Garden or how to help may visit the organization’s Facebook page.