UPDATE (4/12/2024, 4:00 PM): Due to rain, some Saturday volunteer times have changed. Consult the updated list below to see if your event time has been changed!

About Open School Gardens: Growing Healthy Kids operates and maintains school gardens at elementary schools throughout MDUSD. Open School Gardens weekend is a great way to get involved in caring for those gardens! This year, 15 elementary schools are running workdays on the weekend of April 13th & 14th. Join at your local site, volunteer for service hour credit, or try to tour as many gardens as possible! Garden Educators from Growing Healthy Kids garden class will be on-site to facilitate, and ready to welcome anyone who shows up with excitement and willingness to build and beautify community space, together. 

*Check out our volunteer portal for specific sites seeking High School volunteers.

Participating Sites: Please take special note of the date and time for each site below! 

Saturday, April 13: (Updated for rain as of 4/12/2024, 4:00 PM):

• Bancroft Elementary: Sat. 4/13 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM AND Sun 4/14 from 9:00 AM to 11:00AM
• Cambridge Elementary: CANCELED
• Fair Oaks Elementary: Sat. 4/13 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
• Gregory Gardens: CANCELED
• Mountain View Elementary: Sat. 4/13 from 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM
• Rio Vista Elementary: NEW TIME: Sun. 4/14 from 9:00 AM to 12:00PM
• Sequoia Elementary: Sat. 4/13 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Silverwood Elementary: NEW TIME: Sun. 4/14 from 9:00 AM to 12:00PM
• Valhalla Elementary: CANCELED
• Valle Verde Elementary: POSTPONED to May 11
• Wren Ave. Elementary: Sat. 4/13 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Sunday, April 14:

• Bancroft Elementary: Sun 4/14 from 9:00 AM to 11:00AM
• Monte Gardens: Sun. 4/14, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM   
• Mt. Diablo Elementary: Sun. 4/14, 9:00 AM   to 12:00 PM   
• Pleasant Hill Elementary: Sun. 4/14, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM   
• Shore Acres: Sun. 4/14, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Silverwood Elementary: NEW TIME: Sun. 4/14 from 9:00 AM to 12:00PM

Activities will include: Our school gardens have a diverse array of needs. Some have been around for many years, and others are just starting up! Projects at each site will reflect the priorities that site has for the year. Some examples include:

• Mulching & Weeding,
• Planting,
• Buillding and repairing garden beds,
• Rock Painting,
• Sign Making,
• Other fun outdoor projects!

Access Notes: Accessibility varies site-by-site. Reach out to your site contact with any questions.

You should Bring: For your comfort, please bring a water bottle, hat, and/or sunscreen! Garden gloves and favorite tools are welcome, but not necessary.

Student Service Hours: Service Hours are availible for MDUSD students who volunteer to help put on the event! Bring any paperwork to sign with you on the day of service. 

Having trouble deciding which site to volunteer at? Check out our volunteer portal to find sites specifically asking for High School helpers!

Questions?: For questions, contact Laney Cline King at Laney@GrowingHealthyKidsBayArea.org