Conestoga Elementary, Murray, Nebraska

After two years of research and fundraising, our elementary school installed an outdoor classroom, Cougar Hollow, in the summer of 2012. In the professional landscape plans, drawn up by an architect certified in the installation of outdoor classrooms, we designated an area for classroom gardens. The goal of these gardens is to promote learning in a variety of subjects as well as to allow personal growth. We believe that children will develop skills and understandings of many areas as they engage in personally meaningful explorations of the world around them. We want to promote emotional health through connection, which is sadly lost with today's children. Classroom gardens create an environment that allows social and emotional connection through the care and nurturing of living things. We believe that this involvement will lead to feelings of cooperation, community and responsibility. Finally, we want to promote physical health and awareness to the hunger needs in our own school and community. By introducing students to healthy living through their own efforts, we hope to instill a positive sense of self.

This program is supported by Conestoga Elementary PTO, Inc..