Homeschool Learning Series

Homeschool at The GardensFall 2026 Learning SeriesAugust • September • OctoberThe Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina is your outdoor classroom this fall! Join us each month for engaging, hands-on programs designed specifically for homeschool families. From creating art inspired by nature to exploring plant science and learning where our food comes from, each experience encourages curiosity, creativity, and a love for the natural world. Bring your family, make new friends, and discover all The Gardens has to offer.🌻 AUGUST🌾 Grain to Oven DiscoveryDate: Friday, August 7thTime: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMCost: $25 per participant (ages 5+) making a pizza | Ages 4 & under FREEExperience where food begins in this homeschool favorite! Learn how wheat grows, watch it transformed into fresh flour, then use that flour to create your own personal pizza. Along the way, discover the journey from grain to oven through interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities, and a guided tour of The Gardens. It's a delicious blend of agriculture, history, and science.🎨 Art in The Gardens: A Garden Inspired MasterpieceDate: Friday, August 21stTime: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMCost: $15 per child (ages 5+)Capture the beauty of The Gardens through painting! Students will learn basic painting techniques while creating their own garden-inspired painting. All supplies are included.🍎 Bring your lunch and stay for a picnic after class!🌿 Homeschool in The GardensDate: Wednesday, August 26thTime: 10 AM – 2:00 PMCost: $25 per familyPack your homeschool books, a picnic lunch, and a blanket for a relaxing day of outdoor learning. Families are invited to complete schoolwork while enjoying the beauty of The Gardens. Throughout the day, we'll offer optional scavenger hunts, nature activities, crafts, read-alouds, guided garden tours, and opportunities to connect with other homeschool families.🔬 STEM in The Gardens: From Seed to PlantDate: Monday, August 31stTime: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMCost: $15 per child (ages 5+)Discover the amazing journey from seed to mature plant! Students will learn about the plant life cycle, explore what plants need to grow, tour the gardens, and plant a seed or seedling to take home.🍎 Bring your lunch and enjoy the gardens after the program.🍂 SEPTEMBER🌾 Grain to Oven DiscoveryDate: Wednesday, September 9thTime: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMCost: $25 per participant (ages 5+) making a pizza | Ages 4 & under FREEHarvest, mill, create, bake, and eat! Students will experience how wheat becomes flour before making their own delicious pizza while learning about agriculture, food production, and the journey from farm to table.🎨 Art in The Gardens: Cyanotype Nature PrintsDate: Friday, September 18thTime: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMCost: $15 per child (ages 5+)Discover one of the earliest forms of photography! Students will collect leaves and flowers before using sunlight to create beautiful blue-and-white botanical prints to take home.🍎 Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic afterward.🔬 STEM in The Gardens: Soil, Roots & the Underground WorldDate: Monday, September 21stTime: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMCost: $15 per child (ages 5+)Explore the fascinating world beneath our feet! Students will investigate different soil types, discover how roots grow, learn about worms and beneficial organisms, and see how healthy soil supports healthy plants.🍎 Bring your lunch and stay to enjoy the gardens.🌿 Homeschool in The GardensDate: Wednesday, September 30thTime: 10 AM – 2:00 PMCost: $25 per familyBring your schoolwork outdoors! Enjoy a day learning in the gardens with opportunities for nature exploration, scavenger hunts, seasonal crafts, read-alouds, and guided tours while connecting with other homeschool families.🎃 OCTOBER🌾 Grain to Oven DiscoveryDate: Monday, October 5thTime: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMCost: $25 per participant (ages 5+) making a pizza | Ages 4 & under FREECelebrate the harvest season by discovering how wheat becomes fresh flour before making your own pizza. This interactive experience combines agriculture, science, history, and delicious fun.🌿 Homeschool in The GardensDate: Wednesday, October 14thTime: 10 AM – 2:00 PMCost: $25 per familyExperience the beauty of autumn while learning outdoors. Bring your books, a picnic lunch, and enjoy seasonal activities, guided walks, crafts, and opportunities to explore the changing gardens.🔬 STEM in The Gardens: The Physiology of a TreeDate: Friday, October 23rdTime: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMCost: $15 per child (ages 5+)Trees are incredible living systems! Students will investigate how trees transport water, grow rings, respond to the seasons, and support wildlife. Through hands-on activities and a guided tree walk, they'll gain a deeper appreciation for the giants of The Gardens.🍎 Bring your lunch and stay to enjoy the beauty of fall.🎨 Art in The Gardens: Air-Dry Clay Leaf ImpressionsDate: Monday, October 26thTime: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMCost: $15 per child (ages 5+)Celebrate the beauty of autumn by turning nature into art! Students will explore The Gardens to discover leaves with interesting shapes, textures, and patterns before pressing them into air-dry clay to create one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Along the way, they'll learn how to identify different types of leaves and observe the unique characteristics that make each tree special. Each participant will decorate and finish their clay creations to take home as a lasting reminder of their day in the gardens.🍎 Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic in the gardens after class!🌿 Make It a Fall to Remember🌻 Fall Homeschool PassportReceive a stamp at each event you attend and earn a special prize after participating in multiple programs.📖 Nature JournalBring your printable journal each month to record observations, sketches, and discoveries throughout the season.🏅 Certificate of ParticipationStudents attending multiple events will receive a special certificate celebrating their learning journey.PLEASE NOTE: By registering for this event, you acknowledge that registrations are non-refundable. If an event is postponed due to weather, an alternate rain date will be provided. Registrations may be transferred to another participant but are not eligible for refunds.