Special Events/Field Trips
What’s new at Giving Gardens of Indiana?!
We offer seasonal programming and events for all ages and the community!
Check here to see what is new at Giving Gardens of Indiana!
Schedule a Field Trip
Would your school, homeschool group or organization like to schedule an educational field trip to Giving Gardens of Indiana?
We offer field trips for Pre-K-High School age students. Our educational urban farm and forested area offer endless learning opportunities for your students to explore!
We break the field trip groups into Pre-K, Elementary, and Middle School/High School. Each field trip would have a learning focus and lesson/activity dependent on age and season. We also offer free play time for the younger students to follow their interests in our natural play space/forested area.
Learning opportunities offered:
Gardening
Foraging
Bushcraft Skills
Specific Nature Topics (birds, trees, mushrooms, seasons, etc…)
Herbal remedies
Outdoor Cooking
Nature Art
Nature Walks
Days/Times:
Tuesday or Thursday - Afternoons only during school year (1:30pm+)
Thursdays - Morning or Afternoon (summer only)
Time length: 2hr field trip
Seasons field trips offered: Fall/Spring/Summer
Other important info:
20 students max per group. If you have a larger group, we would have to split into different days. Children under 3 do not count towards the 20 students and will not be charged for the field trip.
Liability/Media Waivers must be signed before participating
You are required to provide your own gear, drinks, & snacks
Our location is on varying terrain, mostly mulch and grass. NOT Hospitable to wheelchairs or individuals with mobility challenges.
We offer a port a potty restroom
Parents are welcome to stay for field trip at no charge
Because we are an all outdoor site (we do offer a pavilion), we can schedule a rain out date for your field trip incase of inclement weather.
You must give us a list of students participating and their ages.
Please wear gear appropriate for the weather and clothing that can get dirty. Close toed shoes or rain boots are recommended. Hats, sunscreen, and bug spray are encouraged depending on time of year.
Please bring your child water and a snack.
Fees for field trip:
Each 2hr field trip is a flat rate of $150. Your field trip organizer will have to spilt the cost amongst participants and then the fee needs to be paid to Giving Gardens as one lump sum. The fee can be paid ahead of time or on the day of the field trip.
Children under 3 are free to participate
Pay online: Pay Here (Mark as a workshop when choosing from the selections offered)
Location:
Giving Gardens of Indiana
479 S. Towerview Dr.
Columbia City, IN 46725
Have more questions?? Email us: Jessica Burkett Educational Director
Do you love gardening?
It’s that time of year to register for your free garden plants!!
It is our annual plant giveaway and this year we are partnering with Columbia City Connect and the First Friday’s Event in downtown Columbia City! First Friday’s is a fun family event with food trucks, live music, vendors and kids activities and of course great community connection!
This year we will be featured in the May First Friday’s Pedals & Petals Event. We will have a booth for Giving Gardens of Indiana downtown on the Square. We are offering our FREE 4 pack of plants to giveaway to all who registered. So make sure and REGISTER!
Quantities are limited. First come first serve.
What will be in the FREE 4 pack of plants this year?
1 Black or Sunburst Cherry Tomato (Small tomato)
1 Slicer Tomato or Peacevine (Large tomato)
1 Sweet pepper variety
1 Jalapeno (hot pepper)
+ 2 Cucumber Seeds
So come and join us to celebrate the garden season and learn more about our Nature immersion programs we offer!
See you Downtown on the Square!
Hosted by Amy DuBois & Jess Burkett from Giving Gardens of Indiana
Deadline to register May 8th!
It's Spring and the woods are coming alive with Wild Herbs both edible and medicinal. Finding and harvesting wild herbs for yourself and your family can be fun and nutritious and an inexpensive way to take care of our health. Amy and Jess will share some basics about safely and honorably harvesting Wild Herbs from Mother Nature as we walk through the woods to discover what is abound!
Where: Morsches Park 1035 IN-205, Columbia City, IN 46725- outdoor pavilion in back of park by the pond.
When: Saturday., May 11th 10-11:30am
Cost: $15 per person
Age: 13+
What: You will learn basic knowledge about foraging and you will receive a nature journal for note taking on our hike and handout and hot tea made with our wild herbs!
You must register and pay ahead of time to hold your spot.
Spring Wild Herb Walk
Brooke’s Bio:
My name is Brooke Pettit, I am married and have 2 wild boys. I started sourdough 2 years ago as a hobby after becoming a stay at home mom. It quickly became a passion that I loved! Being able to feed my family quality nourishing food made from just a few simple ingredients is a big priority for me. In September of 2023 I started selling my sourdough baked goods. I love sharing with my community quality bread, but what I love even more is sharing what I know with others.
Follow me on Facebook : @BrookesSourdoughBakedGoods
Hosted by Brooke Pettit and Giving Gardens of Indiana
Deadline to register is May 19th!!
Are you interested in learning sourdough but don’t know where to begin? Join Brooke Pettit in this 1.5 hour class where you will learn the basics of sourdough. Participants will learn how to:
•maintain and feed a starter
•learn how to create & use a versatile dough
•how to shape and score dough
•baking schedules to suit your busy schedule
•sample bread
Everyone will get to take home their very own starter to get started on their sourdough journey!
There is a gym for kids to play in next to the kitchen. There will be no staff attending children. So if you have an older child who would like to watch kids while they play ball in the gym, that would be appreciated. The gym is visible from the kitchen.
Where: The Center, 201 W Market St, Columbia City, IN 46725
When: Wednesday, May 22nd 1-2:30pm
Cost: $25 per person
Age: 13+
What: You will learn basics about how to bake your own sourdough bread at home.
Sourdough Basics
Gear Sale Fundraiser!
Want to support our organization and programs?!
You can purchase gear by following this link and clicking on the Giving Gardens of Indiana store.
There is gear for your favorite program or the organization! You pick! And if you would like to just donate, you can donate through the website:
Thank you for helping our students and our programs GROW!!!
“Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.”
— Thomas Berry