Some lessons can’t be learned by textbook alone.

That’s the philosophy behind efforts by the Wood County Master Gardeners (WCMG) to educate youngsters on the wonders of the natural world around them.

The group’s most recent educational outreach, WCMG Science Days, held at the Wood County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, drew 336 excited third graders from Yantis, Winnsboro, Quitman and Mineola ISDs to the outdoor “classrooms.”

“We were set up with five stations and the students rotated through them,” said Lin Grado, Master Gardener and arboretum garden manager. “Everyone seemed to have a great time. It’s so rewarding to have these young children learning about nature in the natural beauty of the arboretum.”

Master Gardener Mimi Turbeville, a retired elementary teacher, led the programming, relying on the talents of other seasoned educators and green thumbs to pull it off. 

“In this day and time, when kids sit in front of screens all the time, it was fun to see them really connect with nature,” Turbeville said. 

Students learned about propagation by planting sugar baby watermelon seeds and engaging in a nature-themed scavenger hunt in the woods.

They took a class on birds, learning about the wonders of eggs, how a bird’s skeletal system enables it to fly and how beaks and feet play a role in food gathering.

Children also received instruction about the importance of native bees and fun facts about decomposers and the benefits of earthworms.

The benefits of these experience can be priceless for a child’s curious mind, the educator said.

“Some said they had never been on a walk in the woods,” Turbeville said. “They were just so amazed.”

Sessions included time for questions and answers to round out the experience.

WCMG President Angela Thompson said enlightenment is the primary goal behind the group’s outreach.

“The Texas Agrilife Extension Service is set up to educate the community,” she said. “This is part of the partnership we have with them…. It’s just one of the many things we do.”

Volunteers with the WCMG recently concluded a one-day homesteading event that included information on food growing, prep and preservation. 

In upcoming events, a brown bag “Lunch and Learn,” a free community education program, is set for May 23 at the Wood County Agrilife Extension Office, 618 S. Main St., Quitman. The topic is “Orchids and Houseplants” and guests are invited to bring their lunch.

WCMG plan to offer special tours of area greenhouses Oct. 26 to highlight innovative ideas for growing indoor and outdoor plants.

For information about these WCMG programs and other activities, contact the Extension Office at 903-763-2924 or email Wood-tx@tamu.edu.