Summer Naturalist: Medicinal Plants, Session 2 (Ages 10-17)

Does your child love nature and want to expand their identification skills? In this special COVID-adapted program geared toward youth ages 10 and up, participants can join our experts for weekly, small-group outdoor sessions. Though programming will take place outdoors, participants are required to wear a face covering at all times.

Plants have been used as medicine for as long as humans have existed, and hundreds of modern-day medications have been inspired by plants. In this session, participants will explore new garden areas in search of medicinal plants with CMBG horticulturalist, Jen Dunlap. Participants will be introduced to a wide variety of medicinal plants that can be used safely to treat colds, wounds, stress, headaches, and so much more. Participants will also learn what part of the plant to harvest, how to harvest, and how to dry and prepare medicinal plants. The session will end by enjoying herbal tea while making a lip balm and salve to take home from medicinals harvested in the gardens.

Please note: In an effort to keep the group size small, this is a drop-off program. If your child would be more comfortable with you nearby, please contact Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org before the session to discuss options. If this session is full, please call 207-633-8000 to be added to our waiting list.

Jennifer Dunlap is a staff horticulturist at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens where she spends her time designing landscapes and cultivating the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden. A native of Brunswick, Maine, she has a degree in horticulture and landscape design and holds an advanced certificate in Western Herbal Medicine. After studying, designing, and gardening in the Pacific Northwest and Colorado for a combined 12 years, she is happily settled back in Maine raising her two young children alongside a bountiful vegetable and herb garden.