Kids who love nature and the great outdoors are in for a treat as the Powell Gardens Kids' Club kicks off its new season this spring. The club, designed for children ages 5 to 12, will meet from 10 to 11 a.m. the second Saturdays of April through October, with a different hands-on activity every month.
We're also introducing some changes for the 2010 season. This year, the club will divide into two groups during each meeting, making it less crowded and easier for all to participate. Another new component will be the Kids' Club Garden Plot-a special space for club members to plant and then observe throughout the growing season! Renew or join now so you won't miss any of these sessions:
April 10th Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Earth Day Celebration
May 8th Let's Get Growing
June 12th A Walk on the Wild Side
July 10th Wet & Wild
August 14th Butterfly Bonanza
September 11th Bug Hunters
October 9th Scarecrow Building
October 9th Scarecrow Building

Join Friends of Powell Gardens!
As a member you'll receive
*Free garden admission
*10% discount on gift shop purchases
*Discounted class rates
*The Garden View newsletter
*Garden images note card set
*Complimentary plant
*Special "Members only" events & sales
*The satisfaction of knowing you helped Powell Gardens grow!
As a member you can become personally involved in the development of the Gardens and promote an appreciation for the wonders of plant life and nature.

Powell Gardens' Native Plant School
Plants native to Missouri and Kansas offer an incredible palette of shape and color for our landscape. The environmental movement has propelled these plants to the forefront of landscape design because of their adaptations to our climate, soil and various niches in nature that they fill and provide. Come explore select native plant species in the classroom and growing on the grounds and learn how these plants can work for you. Each of the five sessions will focus on various plants types based on the planting pyramid, culminating with putting all this information together to create a sustainable planting plan. Learn how a plant's native habits translate into use in the home garden. While not required, it is highly recommended you attend session one through four before completing session five. Register for all five sessions and receive a discount.

Sessions I through III have mandatory books. Other books listed are optional. All books may be purchased when you register, online if available, or purchase at Perrenial Gifts gift shop the day of the class. Books range in price from $14.95 to $19.95. The book purchases are not included in the class fee.
Session I: Shade Trees and Evergreen Trees
Session II:Small Trees and Large Shrubs
Session III:Small to Medium Shrubs & Vines
Session IV:Perennials and Annuals
Session V:Native Landscape Design
All sessions taught by Alan Branhagen, Director of Horticulture

Summer Explorations Day Camps (Ages 8-12)
Where does our food come from? What good are bugs? For one week, let your budding scientist be immersed in the world of plants and insects. Come get your hands dirty. Find out what makes a seed tick. Nibble treats fresh from Fun Foods Farm, Powell Gardens' brand new youth garden. Your child will have a blast searching for the answer to the all important question: How does our food get from seed to plate?

This year we are offering two half-day day camps. Come for one or stay for both. Discounts are available if you sign up for both the a.m. and p.m. session for a given week. Lunch is provided for campers staying all day.

Camps will be held July 12th-16th and July 19th-23rd

DIG IT! CAMP is great, messy fun. Dig in the dirt. Pet a hornworm. Make garden-fresh salsa. Come discover where your food really comes from. Spend a week with us as we explore Fun Foods Farm. Garden-fresh snacks offered daily. 9am-noon
In BUG OUT! CAMP, you will unearth some amazing facts about insects, spiders and their relatives, search out some BIG BUGS, crawl through ant tunnels and explore the Crawleseum, our live insect petting zoo! Bee there! Crafts and buggy snacks will be available each day. 1pm-4pm

Registration deadline is June 25th.