Below are the trainings offered by the OSSE School Gardens Program to support garden-based teaching and learning in District schools.

School Garden 101 Training

This training was created by OSSE as a helpful guide for school-based staff interested in learning more about the process of creating a school garden.

There are four components to this training:

1) Establishing a New School Garden
2) Maintaining an Existing School Garden Program
3) Providing High-Quality Garden Based Instruction
4) Glossary and Resources

Training participants are invited to engage with the sections of the training that best apply to their goals, and have the ability to navigate between the sections in the order they choose.

Access the School Garden 101 training here.

The Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching

Overview

The Summer Institute for Garden-Based Teaching is a four-day training, consisting of 30 hours of intensive in-person training for 40 grade K-5 District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter school teachers.

Application Deadline and Notification of Acceptance

Applications for the 2025 Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching are now closed. If you would like to receive an email when the application for the 2026 Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching is available, please complete the short form below.

Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching interest form.

Eligible Participants

• Are employed by a DC public or public charter school (teacher, staff, or administrator) that has an existing school garden program
• Must apply with at least one other school team member
• Commit to attend all 30 hours of the institute

All participants receive a stipend. Stipend amounts are contingent upon finalized funding.

Participants will learn:

• Outdoor group management techniques
• Garden-based lessons across content areas that connect to the K-5 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards
• How to sustain a school garden program
• Basics of garden design and maintenance
• Benefits of garden-based learning and teaching

Outdoor Learning Gatherings

Outdoor Learning Gatherings are for educators seeking resources and inspiration to engage students in activities that benefit from being outdoors and nature.

Are you…

• A DC educator interested in connecting with others who are passionate about engaging with students outdoors?
• Searching for resources and best practices centered around outdoor learning that you can incorporate into your teaching practice?
• Looking to deepen your students’ personal relationship to place through experiences that connect to locally relevant content?

… Then Outdoor Learning Gatherings are for YOU!

What educators have said about their experience at Outdoor Learning Gatherings:

“Learning and connecting with other garden coordinators is wonderful!”

“Super welcoming and friendly gathering, great to chat with the outdoor education community!”

“The information and the hands-on demonstrations were very engaging and inspiring!”

“I really enjoyed the wildflower activity and the socializing with other educators.”

2026 Dates: Coming Soon

Interested in hosting or presenting at an upcoming gathering? Do you want to share information about your program at an upcoming gathering? Do you have a topic you want to talk about? Do you want to host a gathering at your school or teaching site? Let us know by completing this short survey. A small stipend will be provided to speakers.