Youth Opportunities

The Garden Clubs of Mississippi provides three opportunities in which youth may participate.

  • Lanoux Youth Nature Day Camp:  A club sponsoring a Lanoux Youth Nature Day Camp receives $300 from GCM to defray camp expenses.  For help with the camp, please contact Youth Chairperson Allison Ashmore at flowersquaw@yahoo.com.

  • MSU Horticulture Summer Camp:  Located on the campus of Mississippi State University, campers are fortunate to have MSU instructors help them learn about horticulture and landscape design. 

  • NGC High School Essay: The High School Essay Contest is open to high school students in grades 9 through 12.  Each year a theme is chosen, and students must write an essay to interpret the theme that is 600 to 700 words in length.  The state winner receives a$100 cash award.  Essay Contest Chairperson is Sandra Hultz | firemouse2480@gmail.com by December 1, 2024.

  • NGC Poetry Contest: Kindergarten through twelfth grade students are invited to participate in the NGC Poetry Contest.  Each year a theme is chosen and clubs can submit one poem per grade to compete at the state level.  To see the official NGC Poetry Contest click this link. GCM Poetry Contest Chairperson is Mary Anne Sumrall | haysgal3@yahoo.com

  • NGC Smokey Bear/ Woodsy Owl Poster Contest: First through fifth grade students can participate in the NGC Poster Contest with drawings of either Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl.  The most important thing to remember about this contest is that the poster must be on paper that is 11x17 inches.  To see the official Smokey Bear Woodsy Owl Poster Information click this link. GCM Poster Contest Chairperson is Allison Ashmore.

  • NGC Youth Sculpture Contest: Children in grades four through eight are eligible to enter this contest, which is designed to encourage youth to recycle to keep our planet green.  Contest Chairperson is Charlene Louwerens | jpcvlou@suddenlink.net

  • Youth Division in an NGC Flower Show:  Clubs in Mississippi often include a Youth Division in their NGC Flower Show.  This gives youth the opportunity to display horticulture they have grown or show their creativity through floral design.

Youth Clubs

Any garden club federated with The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. may organize and/or sponsor a Youth Garden Club. The benefits to students include:

  • Introduction to the art and science of gardening;

  • Increasing awareness of the environment, natural resources, ecology, conservation, composting and recycling;

  • Encourages creativity through observing the cycles of life;

  • Aids the development of leadership skills;

  • Provision of opportunities for participation and recognition with nationally sponsored contests and awards;

  • Nurturing interests at a young age may lead to future hobbies and career opportunities.

  • Each established Youth Garden Club should be registered annually with Mississippi Youth Chairperson Allison Ashmore by October 1.  In turn, the Youth Club is registered as a member of The National Garden Club.

For more information, contact Chairperson Allison Ashmore at flowersquaw@yahoo.com.

The Butterbean Youth Club sponsored by Wesson Garden Club.

In addition to Youth Awards, as listed in the GCM Awards page, The Garden Clubs of Mississippi also sponsors four youth contests.  Three are linked to National Garden Clubs, and state winners can compete at the national level.  One contest exists only at the state level.  All deadlines are December 1, except for the poster contest, which is January 25.

The contest at the state level is:

  • High School Essay Contest:  The High School Essay Contest is open to high school students in grades 9 through 12.  Each year a theme is chosen, and students must write an essay to interpret the theme that is 600 to 700 words in length.  The state winner receives a$100 cash award.  Essay Contest Chairperson is Sandra Hultz | firemouse2480@gmail.com by December 1, 2024.

  • The three contests eligible to compete at the national level include:

  • NGC Poetry Contest: Kindergarten through twelfth grade students are invited to participate in the NGC Poetry Contest.  Each year a theme is chosen and clubs can submit one poem per grade to compete at the state level.  Poetry Contest Chairperson is Mary Anne Sumrall | haysgal3@yahoo.com.

  • Smokey Bear Woodsy Owl Poster Contest:  First through fifth grade students can participate in the NGC Poster Contest with drawings of either Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl.  The most important thing to remember about this contest is that the poster must be on paper that is 11x17 inches.  To see the official Smokey Bear Woodsy Owl Poster Information click this link. GCM Poster Contest Chairperson is Allison Ashmore.

  • GCM Youth Recycled Sculpture Contest:  Children in grades four through eight are eligible to enter this contest, which is designed to encourage youth to recycle to keep our planet green.  Contest Chairperson is Charlene Louwerens | jpcvlou@suddenlink.net.