This seven-week summer apprenticeship provides young people from Railroad Street Youth Project with hands-on exposure to gardening, cultivation and landscaping at the beautiful Berkshire Botanical Garden. The program emphasizes skill-building, confidence, work readiness, and connection to meaningful local work.

Goals

• Offer practical, hands-on gardening experience in a supportive, real-world setting

• Strengthen participants’ confidence, agency, and sense of purpose through making and contributing

• Build mentorship relationships with skilled trades professionals

Program Structure

• Age range: 14-25

• Meets every Wednesday, starting June 17th from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm (note travel time may delay returning time by up to 30mins) for 7 weeks.

• Dates: June 17th, June 24th, July 1st, July 8th, July 15th, July 22nd, July 29th

• Meeting Location: Railroad Street Youth Project Drop-in, 60 Bridge Street, Great Barrington, MA 

Learning Experience

Participants will:

• Learn foundational gardening skills

• Grow organic food and keep organic vegatables

• Practice professional skills: showing up on time, following instructions, collaborating, problem-solving

• Reflect on learning and growth through informal check-ins or brief reflections