Special Needs Garden Programs
Our Garden is therapeutic, inclusive and diverse, accommodating those with special needs. The Garden is a fun-filled interactive sensory garden for people of all ages and abilities, which allows them to regain contact with nature through the use of the human senses. Research has shown that the physical environment, such as a sensory garden where one interacts with nature through sensory experiences, plays an important role in promoting an individual’s health and well-being. Sensory experience is achieved through journey and exploration and by providing for both active and passive interactive activities.
Are you interested in a Garden Program for a Special Needs group? Please see the list of options below. All programs incorporate curriculum connections for a wide range of age groups and can be adjusted based on the specific age group or the nature of special needs. Programs can be adapted for students with visual impairments.
Program Scheduling Information
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- Programs run June through September (weather permitting).
- Programs are age and ability appropriate.
- Programs last 1.5 hours in length, and run twice a day in morning (10am to 11:30am) and afternoon (12:00pm to 1:30pm).
- We can accommodate up to 3 groups at a time. Depending on the nature of the special needs we may recommend a maximum group size of 12.
Elementary School Age
Garden Explorers Program with Theme-Based Options
In This Program, Students Will:
- Tour the sensory gardens using sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch to explore plants up close.
- Plant a seed or transplant a plant to take home, learning about germination and propagation.
- Enjoy nature play outdoors and be creative with your hands and ideas.
- Choose 1 of 3 Theme-Based Options
- Soils – Become detectives exploring soils and discovering the different components that make up soil.
- Animals – Learn about different animals in the garden, learn about habitats, and build your own animal habitat for the garden.
- Creators & Artists – Learn how nature and art are connected and create your own artwork using materials from around the garden.
Ideal For:
- Ages 3-14, Pre-School to Grade 8 – Soils Option
- Ages 6-14, Grade 1 to Grade 8 – Animals or Creators & Artists Options
- Elementary Schools
- Summer Camps
- Special Needs
Cost:
- $7 per participant, no HST.
- Minimum group charge $140.
- No charge for teachers, assistants or volunteers
Secondary School Age
Garden Connections Program with Theme-Based Options
In This Program, Students Will:
- Tour the sensory gardens using sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch to explore plants up close.
- Plant a seed or transplant a plant to take home, learning about germination and propagation.
- Enjoy nature, explore, and be creative with your hands and ideas.
- Choose 1 of 3 Theme-Based Options:
- Nature Stewardship – Learn about stewardship and how your actions affect the environment, followed by creating your own nature-green space and making environmentally friendly decisions.
- Designing a Garden – Learn about the key principles of designing a garden and work in teams, assuming various roles, to design/plant your own garden.
- Food & Herbs – Learn how plants are used for a variety of foods and reinforce this learning through different games and nature challenges.
Ideal For:
- Ages 13-18
- Grades 9-12
- Secondary Schools
- Summer Camps
- Special Needs
Cost:
- $7 per participant, no HST.
- Minimum group charge $140.
- No charge for teachers, assistants or volunteers
Further Notes:
- Our Special Needs Garden Programs meet the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum (i.e. Kindergarten to Grade 12).
- If you have questions, please feel free to email us at info@gardenofthesenses.com