Ms. Smarty-PlantsTM Loves Her Partners!
For program questions please contact mssmartyplants@thegarden.org or 619-660-0614 ext 16
In partnership with the Alzheimer’s San Diego, Garden Educators offer a series of visits for “Early Stage Connections” and “Club” groups to have meaningful outdoor experiences with their families in nature. The program offers a comfortable way for individuals living with early stage dementia to socialize and have fun through gardening activities.
Braille Institute of San Diego
As a part of the Braille Institute of San Diego community programs, Ms. Smarty-Plants™ leads garden days for the group to visit the Sensory Garden and enjoy the flora and fauna despite the challenges of diminished sight.
La Vida Real-Senior Living
In partnership with La Vida Real, Ms. Smarty-Plants™ designed the La Vida Real Memory Care Garden Program to inspire and provide senior adults suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia with the therapeutic value gardening can provide. A wheelchair accessible garden box was made for the porch just outside the common area at La Vida Real. Residents alongside Ms. Smarty-Plants™ planted milkweed and other butterfly nectar plants. The program provides an opportunity for seniors to return to the joys of gardening.
Davila Day School
It was such a pleasure for Ms. Smarty-Plants™ to develop a program for these wonderful kids from the Davila Day School. They attend monthly visits to The Garden with Ms. Smarty-Plants™ to engage in special learning activities designed for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and often have other developmental challenges. The Garden has proven to be a wonderful place for tactile, hands-on teaching and visual modalities. Pam Meisner, aka Ms. Smarty-Plants™ uses sign language to instruct and communicate with Davila students which has played a large part in the positive relationship they share. Since the program first began in 2011, the students have grown leaps and bounds in how they relate to nature. School Teacher, Keri Gravette praised The Garden’s Deaf education program for giving her students access to a science curriculum and opportunity to enjoy an outdoor environment appropriate to their developmental needs.
