On any given weekday morning at the Arboretum, you might notice something different among the gardens and trails; the sound of excited voices, a cluster of small hands feeling the rough bark of a Ponderosa pine or a group of students quietly wandering through the Shade Garden searching for clues of the Abert’s squirrel habitat.
These moments can be some students’ first encounters, first discoveries, and first sparks of curiosity that will stay with them and become part of who they are in the years to come.
At the Arboretum, our mission extends beyond conservation of native plants. We are cultivating understanding by helping young people see the connections between plants, wildlife, water, and the health of our community. When a fourth grader learns how manzanita plants are adapted to drought, or when a summer camper successfully navigates a trail using a compass for the first time, they are building both knowledge and confidence.
Environmental stewardship begins with familiarity. A child who has held still for quiet minutes in hopes of a butterfly alighting on them, submerged nets in pond water to see what is teeming beneath, or observed milkweed seeds floating on the breeze is far more likely to value and protect the natural world when they inevitably grow into adulthood. These early, hands-on experiences create a sense of belonging outdoors – something that cannot be replicated indoors in a classroom alone.
This season, our summer camps and field trip programs will welcome hundreds of students to explore the Arboretum’s living collections. From studying native plants in our gardens to meeting live raptors through our partnership with the International Raptor and Falconry Center, participants engage directly with science in ways that are active, memorable, and deeply personal.
For many of our young visitors, this may be their first extended time in a natural setting guided by educators who encourage questions, careful observation, and curiosity. These are the building blocks of lifelong naturalists.
If you have children, grandchildren, neighbors or friends who may benefit from these programs, we encourage you to share the opportunity. A simple conversation or forwarded newsletter can help connect another young person to the wonder of the natural world.
For questions regarding Arboretum summer camp and field trip opportunities please reach out to Helena Murray at Helena.Murray@thearb.org.
Helena Murray is the Educational Manager of The Arboretum at Flagstaff.
