The Growers of Oak Forest

(We grow critters, plants, and minds!)
 
The Growers Group, a community of teachers, parents, and committed volunteers, came together several years ago to create an outdoor classroom in an effort to enhance student engagement and expand the learning experience at Oak Forest Elementary.  Our vision in the beginning was to create a vegetable garden so that students could experience what it means to grow your own food and to provide for others.  We also wanted to provide those students who have a great interest in nature a place to explore those interests. As a result of the combined work of the group, our entire campus has become so much more than we first envisioned! 
We have a large vegetable/herb garden that fifth graders tend weekly. Kindergarten students also have an area for learning about plant growth.  This year they planted tulips!
The fifth grade students and teachers learn from Master Gardeners about a variety of vegetables, proper planting techniques, and the care that is required for a successful harvest.
We also have an orchard with a diversity of fruit trees, a beautiful butterfly garden area, and an arboretum area with many native plants.  You can click on Guide to the Outdoor Campus tab to see these areas maintained by the Growers.
The Nature Club meets daily to learn more about the animals and plants that thrive in our caring community.  These students work daily to help make our outdoor classroom the very best it can be for students and the wildlife of the area.
We owe our success to the efforts of a dedicated volunteer team. Achieving our vision was made possible through the guidance and many hours of labor provided by our volunteers - through the funding provided by Exxon-Mobil and parents -with supplies and man-power provided Kingwood Country Club- with supplies and support from Alspaugh’s Ace Hardware of Kingwood and Lowe’s of Atascocita.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to volunteer just call Vivian Cardoso (Vivian.cardoso@humble.k12.tx.us) or Debbie Krenek (Deborah.krenek@humble.k12.tx.us).