Shiloh Community Garden and Project Lighten Up Summer Day Camp

For eight weeks this summer the Shiloh Community Association (SCA) has hosted Project Lighten Up (PLU), a summer day camp presenting a Wednesday program called “Let’s get gardening.”

The curriculum has included photo-journaling, stream ecology, math, culinary creations, gardening, and permaculture. In addition to traditional academics, participants got a healthy dose of fresh air, fun, and hands-on learning.

The camp was built upon the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”; the goal for every child has been to “learn all you can all you learn.” The program was developed in collaboration between Pastor Spencer Hardaway and SCA Community Garden Program Coordinator Laura Lee Petritz, with input by UNCA students Lydia George (Roots Garden Manager), and David Johnson.

A highlight of the 2015 season was a visit by Montgomery College international students who partnered with PLU campers. A Jamaican student, Tamara, fluent in three languages, taught Virgil Hardaway Japanese.

Pastor Hardaway commented, “We have been so blessed to have [the support of] UNCA, community members and outside organizations and local businesses.” He highlighted Gary Deetz of Fifth Season Gardening, who shared permaculture principles; Asheville Greenworks for providing programming about recycling; Dr. David Gillette, a specialist in stream ecology; and Dr. Amy Lanou, who prepared tasty vegetarian dishes for the group.

Other staff for Let’s Get Gardening included student counselors Zane Ruff, Tianna Ford, and Jahnayah Wooten-Powell, and personal development educator Mrs. Grier. For more information about Project Lighten Up, visit Project Lighten Up Summer Day on Facebook.