Deep in the mossy, rainy heart of the great state of Oregon, where the towering Douglas Fir trees kiss the cotton candy clouds, and where rainbows take a quick nap after a drizzle, there exists a magical land known as the "Emerald State". Oregon, a place bursting with secret gardens and fantastical creatures who, quite frankly, have not had their morning coffee yet! Now, imagine a crew of lively, daring and not-so-typical kids, known as the "Oregon Green Thumbs". They are not just any kids, but amazing gardeners who possess the greenest thumbs you could ever imagine. They could grow a carrot as tall as a baby giraffe or a pumpkin as round as a very fat panda! Oh, and let's not forget their fearless leader, Fergus the Fantastically Furry Forest Frog. Fergus is no ordinary frog. With his neon green skin brighter than a glow-stick, and his belly filled with sunshine, he guides these children on many incredible garden adventures. He has a bizarre sense of humor that involves ribbeting puns; you would think he gets them from a 'ribbetting' site! Every day, the "Oregon Green Thumbs" and Fergus would don their garden gloves, pull out their spades, and trek into the mystical wilderness of Oregon. They would trail down the Cascade Mountains, race alongside the rapid Rogue River, and weave through the bustling city of Portland, all to find the perfect spots for their magical gardens. Between Fergus' terrible ribbeting jokes and the kids' laughter that could make an owl hoot in surprise, it's hard to tell who gets the most dirt under their fingernails or who tells the silliest story. But one thing is for sure - gardening in Oregon is far from ordinary. It is an adventure that promises laughter, learning, and a love of nature that will grow faster than a sunflower on a sunny day.
Read morebest gardening programs in Bend, OR
The US Engineering League is a prominent nationwide establishment that passionately supports STEM-focused education. We believe in the power of experiential learning and thus emphasize hands-on learning through competitive challenges. Since our inception in 2018, we have been the proud USA National Office for the acclaimed World Robot Olympiad, a global robotics competition that has over 35,000 participants from more than 80 countries. In addition to robotics, our educational offerings span across various STEM sectors such as coding, eSports, engineering, science and more. We're delighted to be connected with several of the most prominent STEM competition organizations. Our primary learning center is nestled in the heart of Naperville, IL. However, we understand the importance of accessibility and have therefore expanded our reach. We offer our well-rounded programs at a range of locations including schools, community centers, park districts, libraries, and even religious institutions. We are committed to making our educational opportunities available to as many children as possible, regardless of their location. At the US Engineering League, we're not just about teaching; we're about inspiring. We take immense pride in our ability to inspire the younger generation to master the skills that are vital for long-term success in STEM-based careers. We strongly believe that nurturing these skills from a young age can set the foundation for a successful and rewarding career in the rapidly evolving STEM fields.
Most youth organizations talk about preparing kids for the future or future leadership positions. This is great, but we believe kids and teens are leaders now. They don't need to wait for the future to shape the world. We help youth be the best 7-year-old they can be or the best 17-year-old. We guide kids and teens of all ages to boost their confidence and unlock their potential so they can thrive—where they are now. Thrive{ology} is our research-based approach to teaching every kid or teen how to be a better friend, student, son, daughter, member of society, sister, brother...today. Every Camp Fire program across the country uses Thrive{ology} to teach youth to identify sparks, develop a growth mindset, learn goal management, and take time to reflect.