Big tip: the Boy Scouts of America are an amazing resource for school gardens. The ultimate goal of any Boy Scout is to achieve the rank of “Eagle Scout,” which requires many things and culminates in a big project. And what do all school gardens have in common? BIG PROJECTS! Making an addition to the garden, the scouts have the opportunity to leave a legacy at the elementary school they attended. Thus far we have been the lucky recipients of two projects.
A “doorway” at the side entrance of the garden:
A small orchard of five fruit trees: apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach and plum. (By the way, kids love the fact that the trees were purposely planted in alphabetical order!)
And now a third young man is getting ready to begin the construction phase of his project: to build a dry riverbed in order to direct rain runoff and beautify the north side of the garden. I should be able to post on the finished project soon. Here’s the “before,” as he’s raking away woodchips to mark out the riverbed’s footprint:
The project includes a new platform at the side gate, a meandering dry riverbed...
.....dotted with native plants, crossed by a footbridge, and ending at the drain (photo courtesy of Marisa McFedries)
What's not to like? 
I am also fascinated by the idea that while designing the dry riverbed, it was an invitation to mimic the natural world–which means that for a little while this boy scout was forced to think like water. His “community” moved beyond the friends and family in his troupe, beyond the folks and students of the elementary school of Julian. He began to live as if the riverbed was part of his community, too.
A beautiful response Drew! “Thinking like water“
My, My, aren’t you busy little beavers over there! Looks good!
Jeff
Truth be told, the story of the garden has been one continuous stream of great projects and new ideas. Last week we also celebrated the new gate (post coming) and tomorrow we receive a grant (another post.) It never stops (in a good way!)
Great jobs by all the boys! This should be on CNN or at least on one of the local news channels. We need more stories like this on the airwaves!
I agree. What’s better than a good story?
T,
What I like is you are involving different organizations (Boy Scouts)and historical facts to highlight school gardens. Everyone wins ! Dad