Orange, Vermont

Peggy Thompson at the Orange Central School is celebrating her 10th year of Gardens for Learning. Over the years, Peggy has developed a deep and lasting connection to the children and families that participate in her program. The teens and young adults in the program have become mentors and take the lead on nearly everything from cooking recipes, taking attendance and providing encouragement and help to the younger children. When the children make their lunch, about 4-5 groups gather around each table and Peggy hands them a photocopy of a recipe and tells them to go at it. The children gather the cooking equipment, ingredients, put together the recipe and clean up with very little adult intervention. It is quite amazing and wonderful!

Recipe Books
The children assemble Recipe Books of all the favorite recipes shared during the summer program. The recipes are typed, photo copied, and assembled in plastic sheet protectors in a binder. This is a wonderful way for the children to bring home what they learned.

Closing Ceremony / Celebration
On the very last day of the program, the children of Orange Gardens for Learning will be inviting their families and friends to join them for a dinner celebration. On the menu – Calzones from the Quebec Oven, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, and Zacrin Cookies. The strawberries are from a farm the group visited this summer. The Zacrn cookies are a recipe the group made up that includes zucchini, applies, carrots, raisins, and nuts.