Bee Kind Garden project is a therapeutic program designed to teach gentleness, kindness, and empathy to children removed from violent homes. Each child is matched with a trained volunteer who gives his or her undivided attention to the child while together they explore arts and crafts, nurture plants, and interact with child-friendly animals. Especially important is the fact that Bee Kind Garden, located at the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center, is a safe place to be a child.

Three basic strategies used at the Garden, help children suffering from past abuse. Licensed child therapists are on site to help children process their feelings/behaviors and assist volunteers in understanding how to be effective with troubled children. Environmental education helps children learn to nurture living things and find a connection to the natural world through gardening and outdoor activities. Interaction with child-friendly animals encourages kindness and empathy, builds trust, and promotes healthy relationships. In sharing all these experiences with a supportive volunteer, each child is able to explore and experience the dynamics of friendship.

Bee Kind Garden gives each child the opportunity to:

• improve emotional well-being
• develop empathy, kindness, and gentleness
• master new skills
• improve self image
• practice developmental skills (fine and gross motor, language, problem solving)
• learn respect for the natural environment
• tap into the potential for joy and hope for the future.
• develop safe relationships with supportive adults

After a six week experience in Bee Kind Garden many children ask to return to this special and safe place.