ELF workshop lets children get hands dirty

The 35 young people made rocket leaf gardens in egg containers, prepped snacks, built worm farms, made art from recycled materials, and took part in a yoga class.

Kate Hook – part of the committee responsible for running the day – held high hopes of making the event a permanent fixture on the city’s school holiday calendar.

“By getting kids in the garden and thinking about recycling we’re producing a generation of kids who are concerned with nature right from the word go,” Mrs Hook said.

VIDEO: Find out what the kids thought ...

“It helps them grow into adults who will make decisions which are good for the environment.”

The trial day was available to children through invitation from the committee.

The event filled up so quickly there are now 15 families on the waiting list for the next school holiday event.

Mrs Hook said they hoped to secure funding in order to expand the event to a three-day activity next holidays, with the cost of excursions to a forest, wind farm or other locations subsidised to make it accessible to all families.

Teacher Kate Willoughby had the children create garden creatures from biodegradable goods.

“We believe they’ll go home and teach their parents what they’ve learnt – it’ll be like a butterfly effect,” she said.