Bee Kind Garden
The Bee Kind Garden project is a therapeutic program designed to teach gentleness, kindness, and empathy to children removed from violent homes. Children are matched with a trained volunteer who gives his or her undivided attention while together they explore arts and crafts, nurture plants, and interact with child-friendly animals. Especially important is the fact that the Bee Kind Garden, located at the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center, is a safe place to be a child.
Three basic strategies are used at the Garden to help children suffering from past abuse. Child therapy is provided by licensed therapists to help the children process emotional trauma and crisis. Environmental education helps the children learn to nurture living things and find a connection to the natural world through gardening and outdoor activities. Animal Interaction helps children learn kindness and empathy, build trust, and form healthy relationships by allowing them to interact with child-friendly animals. In sharing all these experiences with their own supportive volunteer, each child is able to explore and experience the dynamics of friendship.
The Bee Kind Garden gives each child the opportunity to:
After a six week experience in the Bee Kind Garden many children ask to return to this special and safe place.
The Bee Kind Garden project is a therapeutic program designed to teach gentleness, kindness, and empathy to children removed from violent homes. Children are matched with a trained volunteer who gives his or her undivided attention while together they explore arts and crafts, nurture plants, and interact with child-friendly animals. Especially important is the fact that the Bee Kind Garden, located at the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center, is a safe place to be a child.
Three basic strategies are used at the Garden to help children suffering from past abuse. Child therapy is provided by licensed therapists to help the children process emotional trauma and crisis. Environmental education helps the children learn to nurture living things and find a connection to the natural world through gardening and outdoor activities. Animal Interaction helps children learn kindness and empathy, build trust, and form healthy relationships by allowing them to interact with child-friendly animals. In sharing all these experiences with their own supportive volunteer, each child is able to explore and experience the dynamics of friendship.
The 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; and tap into the potential for joy and hope for the future.
After a six week experience in the Bee Kind Garden many children ask to return to this special and safe place.
CASA Partners | PO Box 8158 | Spokane, WA 99203-0158 | 509.462.2272
©Copyright 2006 Casa Partners
©Copyright 2006 Casa Partners
Comments
... seeing them let down their guards ...when D____ first hugged me. He came up and just gave me a hug, and I thought that was great.
E.D.
I am extremely appreciative of what you have done and donated so that I can be in I.S.O. (Intermediate Symphony Orchestra)
Needs from the Heart
There are some kids who have to have a male role model... It made me feel good that I was able to provide that for these kids.
J.A.
It was a wonderful summer, and we hope to add several more Bee Kind Garden sessions from spring through fall in 2009.
C.T., Board President
E.D.
I am extremely appreciative of what you have done and donated so that I can be in I.S.O. (Intermediate Symphony Orchestra)
Needs from the Heart
There are some kids who have to have a male role model... It made me feel good that I was able to provide that for these kids.
J.A.
It was a wonderful summer, and we hope to add several more Bee Kind Garden sessions from spring through fall in 2009.
C.T., Board President