A new partnership between the two West Hartford organizations yields a healthy crop.

Submitted by Andrea Thompson, St. Brigid School

It has been an exciting summer for West Hartford’s YMCA and Saint Brigid School (SBS). In a newly formed collaborative partnership, the West Hartford YMCA concluded their inaugural nine-week, summer camp on-site at Saint Brigid School. The camp’s theme was “A Healthy Start Leads to a Healthy Heart.”

Following in the footsteps of one of our most famous gardener and children’s advocate for healthy eating, First Lady Michelle Obama, campers decided to replicate a smaller version of the White House’s vegetable garden on the grounds of Saint Brigid School.

Throughout the summer months exuberant campers took turns contributing their ideas and sweat equity on how to create an environmentally safe vegetable garden absent of harmful pesticides and chemically based fertilizers.

Learning how to plant a garden was a lot of fun for the campers and a great educational process as well. The campers were also taught the importance of eating a healthy diet daily which can include a variety of vegetables. Campers planted a variety of vegetables from green peas, kale, spinach, lettuce, carrots, yellow squash, and much more.

Throwing his hands in the air, YMCA and SBS camper Dominick Mathura, giggles as he exclaims, “I had fun planting vegetables in the garden because my mom wants me to eat vegetables. Now I know how they grow!”

Pointing to a melon plant, camper Amanda Lagueux shared, “I love watching the seeds grow because they grow so fast! It seems like we just planted them.”

Saint Brigid School Principal Shevon Hickey stated, “Mrs. Obama has the right idea. Developing healthy eating habits is something all children should learn early in life. This of course will help ensure that it becomes a normal part of their lifestyle as they become adults.”

“Similar to watching the seeds grow; it was great to see these energetic campers be excited about learning the science of gardening and the importance of eating healthy vegetables,” commented YMCA Camp Director Nicholas Calibey.

“This summer was absolutely incredible! Having the camp located at Saint Brigid School, gave us access to the best of everything. Due to our success, we anticipate the demand to participate next year will be even greater,” continued Calibey. “Our campers loved running around SBS’ beautiful 10 acre campus and since the school is adjacent to Beachland Park; campers also had access to their enormous playscape and swimming pool.”

The collaborative relationship with Saint Brigid School will be on-going throughout the year. In addition to the summer camp, the YMCA will provide program based aftercare services until 6 p.m. on-site for St. Brigid School families.  Additionally, the YMCA will offer vacation camps during school vacations and the possibility of snow- day student care services for parents that have to work.

Saint Brigid School is proud to celebrate over 50 years of strong academics, Catholic values and enriched cultural diversity. SBS is a full-time faith based educational program committed to educating the needs of students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. St. Brigid is located at 100 Mayflower Street in West Hartford, Connecticut. For more information or to arrange a tour call: (860) 561-2130, ext. 104, or visit us on Facebook or www.saintbrigidschool.org.

Campers (left to right): Dominick Mathura (age 5), Alexander Mathura (age 7), Amanda Lagueux (age 7), and Morgan Lagueux (age 11) work in the garden. Submitted photo.