An analysis of adolescent involvement at public horticulture institutions
Date
2010
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
While gardens typically offer educational programming for adults and
elementary school-aged children, many institutions struggle with serving the teenage
audience, defined in this research as youth ages 13-19. The purpose of this research is
to investigate the current state of adolescent programming in order to aid and inspire
institutions to create and implement positive development opportunities for teenagers,
and to take on a greater role in the cultural and horticultural education of today’s
adolescents.
Using a mixed methods approach, both qualitative and quantitative data
were collected to characterize adolescent programming, as well as to identify the
institutional benefits, the potential challenges, and the strategies of offering long-term
adolescent programming. Institutional members of the American Public Gardens
Association completed an initial survey. The Chicago Botanic Garden and the
Brooklyn Botanic Garden were selected to serve as case study sites representing large
institutions; the perspectives of smaller institutions were captured through phone
interviews with staff at the Delaware Center for Horticulture, Fellows Riverside
Garden, and Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. A follow-up survey of directors of
institutions offering long-term adolescent programming was also completed.
The results of the survey yielded statistics on the current state of
adolescent programming, including the amount and types of programming being
offered. Seven institutional benefits emerged, with the three major benefits being
building relationships with new audiences, building interest in horticulture, and supporting the institution’s mission and growth. And seven potential challenges were
identified, with the three major challenges being funding, staff time, and adolescent
interest. A list of seven overarching strategies was also developed, highlighting the
areas of high quality staff, curriculum, partnerships, youth decision-making,
compensation, engaging activities, and evaluation.