Youth Education
Local Education & Outreach
The role of our Education and Outreach team is to engage with and support our local community through exceptional programming that utilizes the unique resources of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation. With a primary focus on working with audiences who are historically underserved, our E+O team connects Oak Spring with K-12 students as well as retirees and other groups. We are proud to work closely with a series of local partners, including Fauquier County Public Libraries, Fauquier High School, Claude Thompson Elementary School, and Coleman Elementary School.
The OSGF Education and Outreach Program’s goals are to:
Establish partnerships between Oak Spring Garden Foundation, local schools, and organizations that serve youth and special populations.
Improve student learning and engagement through hands-on experiences.
Provide experiential learning opportunities that foster positive impacts on students’ future success.
Provide educational opportunities that include the mission and values set forth by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation of supporting and inspiring fresh thinking and bold action on the history and future of plants, including the art and culture of plants, gardens, and landscapes.
Share the resources of Paul and Bunny Mellon.
Educate people of all ages how they can conserve and enjoy nature, why they should get involved, and the lasting impact their involvement has on the environment.
2025 Summer Plant Camp
Applications for our second annual Summer Plant Camp are now open! This year, each week-long session will have a different theme. Explore below to see the dates of the camp, learn about each theme, and apply!
Week 1 -June 16-20, 2025: Farmers & Chefs
(Agriculture/Gardening/Culinary/Agriscience)
Where does your food come from? Learn how to cultivate fresh produce and prepare a farm-to-table meal at the Farmers and Chefs camp at Oak Spring Garden Foundation, June 16-20, 2025.
Participants will learn what it takes to grow food sustainability at the camp. Campers will gain hands-on experience in the Biocultural Conservation Farm at OSGF, using tools, maintaining garden spaces, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They will learn to design a garden, direct seed, transplant seedlings, trellis, and other agricultural and gardening skills. Campers will make healthy and nutritious culinary creations with their harvested produce while learning about careers in the agriculture and culinary fields. The Farmers and Chefs Camp will conclude with a Garden Party and Farm to Fork Meal.
Week 2 - July 14-18, 2025: Botanical Explorers
(Plants/Art/Culture/History/Arts & Crafts)
The Botanical Explorers Camp at Oak Spring Garden Foundation takes place on July 14-18, 2025. Campers will explore the connections between people and plants. Campers will discover how cultures around the world have used plants throughout history. They will immerse themselves in OSGF’s beautiful walled garden at the Biocultural Conservation Farm. There, they will discover the many uses of plants, such as Dye Plants for paints and dyes, Fiber plants for making paper and textiles, Medicinal plants for crafting self-care products, Heirloom varieties of food crops, and Florals for ornametal uses. Campers will participate in project-based learning in areas such as heirloom gardening and floriculture. Plant-centered arts and crafts projects are endless at this unique camp! The Botanical Explorers Camp will culminate with an Art Show Extravaganza and Farm to Gallery Dinner showcasing camper's one-of-a-kind creations.
Week 3 - July 21-25, 2025: BEE A Naturalist
(Conservation/Natural Resources/Ecology/Art & Science)
Have you heard the Buzz about the BEE A Naturalist Camp at Oak Spring Garden Foundation taking place July 21-25, 2025? Participants will engage in the great outdoors at the camp as they explore the landscape, flora, and fauna at OSGF’s Rokeby Farm. Campers will discover the natural world by participating in science-based projects that enhance their naturalist skills. Active learning will include soil surveys, evaluating water quality, identifying native plant and animal species, investigating habitats, natural resource conservation practices, and botany-related experiments. Outdoor games and nature art are part of this amazing camp experience. At the end of the week, BEE A Naturalist campers will participate in a Nature-based Field Day Adventure and Picnic!
Programs & Activities
Oak Spring Garden Foundation offers free programs for local public school students and youth/senior citizen organizations and clubs. Contact us to schedule your 2025-2026 programs beginning February 1, 2025. We also offer free teen programs at our local Fauquier Public Library locations. View the list below to see all of these upcoming opportunities.
If you work for a local organization and would like to collaborate with our Education and Outreach team, you can reach our Education and Outreach Specialist, Ginger Anderson at gingeranderson at osgf.org.