This past spring, I had the privilege of helping a group of teen girls from a local American Heritage Girls troop earn a horticulture badge. During the time I spent with them, I discovered that our society often gives teenagers a bad rap. Too often, we write them off as too old for certain activities, or we simply conform to the idea that they only want to text with friends or play video games.
I had the opportunity to talk to these teen girls about careers in horticulture, composting, pollination, and how to propagate plants. Most of the sessions were physical activities that got their hands dirty. We planted bulbs, made an herb garden, learned about root systems, and watched photosynthesis in action. Each young lady planted their own seeds and bulbs and took them home to nurture.
Then, something amazing happened.
I began receiving messages from the ladies with pictures of their plants’ progress. Three of the ladies created their own mini gardens at home. Some sent me messages or stopped me at meetings to ask questions about the way their soil looked.
Not only was I tickled by their enthusiasm, but I was reminded that teens are more curious and excited than we give them credit for. When they are given the opportunity, simple things can really help teens blossom. Offer them something to explore, create, and connect with others, and you might discover that, yes, they can survive without a screen.
