Video games may be getting increasingly realistic, but nothing satisfies a child more than getting his hands dirty in the garden.
More than 50 Sooke children did just that at the first meeting of the Sooke Children’s Garden Club at the Allotment Garden in Sunriver last week, with six different workshops to experience.
In each workshop, children got the chance to learn something on the environment, healthy cooking, flowers, plants, a garden craft, and the chance to make a Beanie baby necklace.
“It’s just understanding the value of kids at an early age to learn about growing things in a garden,” said Anne Boquist, one of the club’s coordinators.
Every year the workshops also change with a different focus. This year, children are learning about different types of spring bulbs and seeds that can be planted, how to plant peas and how peas grow.
There will certainly be more. The club meets every month at the Allotment Garden, with a different activity every time, depending on the season.
“Every year in the fall we do scare crows and have a party afterwards,” Boquist said. “Parents love it, and it all ends with juice and cookies.”
The free event is open to all children ages 3 and up. To keep those busy hands digging and plucking, the club receives donations from the Sooke Rotary Club, the Sooke Harbourside Lions, Sooke Lions Club and Lionesses.