Reiman Gardens will be educating and entertaining some short visitors this season. From trees to vegetables, kids in first grade through fifth will have the opportunity to learn more about nature through a summer program called Kids’ Garden Adventures.

“Reiman Gardens is trying to become ISU’s newest classroom,” said Teresa McLaughlin, director of Reiman Gardens. “Education is our primary mission, and the children’s gardening programs are a wonderful display of how well this can work.”

McLaughlin said the gardens are well suited for activities and education for children. A new building recently opened at the gardens and will be used for education programs.

The summer programs will kick off Sunday with the Kids’ Gardening Extravaganza, an event sponsored by Reiman Gardens, the Story County Master Gardeners’ Association and Ames Parks and Recreation.

There is no charge for the Extravaganza, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All children accompanied by an adult are welcome to come to the garden for hands-on learning about flowers, birds and bugs.

“We’ll have stations all around the gardens for kids to learn more about everything from worms to sunflowers,” said Cindy Sobaski, senior in horticulture.

Besides the opportunity to learn in a natural laboratory Sunday, Reiman Gardens’ staff and Sobaski, youth gardening coordinator, have been developing seven summer programs.

Programs will be led by three students who are currently taking horticulture 282X, children’s gardening. McLaughlin said this is also a great opportunity for the garden.

“Not only do we get to train horticulture and education students,” she said, “but we also get to put on programs at the garden.”

Jessica Farmer, junior in horticulture and educational intern at Reiman Gardens, said she is looking forward to teaching local kids in the gardens this summer.

“The gardens are an outdoor classroom,” she said. “The kids have a chance to relate to nature and see their role in the environment.”

Kids’ programs will be held twice a month, May through August. The programs are $3 per child and include educational sessions in the garden, craft projects and games. For more information call Reiman Gardens at 294-2710.