There was a child went forth every day… And the first object he looked upon…that object became part of him for the day or a certain part of the day . . . . or for many years or stretching cycles of years. - Walt Whitman
I have been asking different people - colleagues, children, family - about their most memorable field trips, and everyone lights up at their recollection of where school and other programs had taken them - the memory remains firm even after many years have passed. I heard about field trips to the movies, to the Mayflower, to science, art, or history museums, to nearby landmarks, markets, and even to the local landfill and each person seemed to recall these special days with an extraordinary fondness.
My first field trip I remember took me to a local bakery. I was in first grade, and I still remember the smells and the flour and the people all playing their unique roles, and then the final product coupled with butter was pretty close to perfect. That field trip took me out of my everyday life and exposed me to a place, a smell, a taste, and an experience I had never had.
At Horizons field trips are foundational to a holistic academic program. All students go on at least 3 unique, age-appropriate, content-relevant field trips per summer - providing exposure to something new, deepening their learning, and expanding their horizons.
Conducted in collaboration with many local partners, this summer our students will get to experience their local parks through visits to the Nature Center, the Arboretum, hiking in Dupont State Forest, and sampling streams with the Riverlink. Students will tour and eat at the Omni Grove Park Inn and enjoy the bounty of our local farmers at the Asheville Farmers Markets. Students will engage with horses at Wind Horse Farm, visit (many for the very first time) animals at the Nature Center.
We are thrilled about these experiences awaiting our students each and every Horizons summer.
We are excited to gather soon for our annual benefit, Hearts for Horizons – A Secret Garden Party, where we celebrate the growth of our students and program. As we enter our seventh summer, our enrollment continues to expand, now serving 120 students. Once again, our Horizons garden will be one of the most popular project-based learning clubs, offering an engaging, hands-on experience. This edible educational garden not only produces vibrant flowers and fresh vegetables but also teaches valuable skills and fosters a lifelong appreciation for gardening.
Young children are often hesitant to try new foods, but the interactive nature of the garden encourages exploration. Seeing their peers excitedly pick peas straight from the vine inspires them to taste new vegetables. By summer’s end, we witness a greater willingness to try fresh foods, an enthusiasm for outdoor learning, and a deeper understanding of gardening basics. We love watching students enjoy fresh cucumbers, bake zucchini muffins, and enjoy fresh herbs they have cultivated.
Parents are welcome to harvest fresh produce from the garden and share input on what to grow. Our Summer Supporters' Breakfasts showcase garden activities that promote nutrition and well-being. During the school year, students, staff and volunteers help maintain the garden, strengthening connections between CDS and Horizons participants.
Nutrition education starts early at Horizons, with young students learning the benefits of fruits and vegetables through interactive lessons. Food tastings introduce new flavors across all age groups, while older students experiment with blending, cooking, and comparing textures. Volunteers and students also pack produce for families to take home, reinforcing the community spirit.
The garden is a hub for project-based learning, incorporating math concepts such as measurement and fractions. Elementary students enjoy reading near the garden with volunteers and therapy dogs, creating a peaceful and enriching environment.
Like The Secret Garden, our program nurtures teamwork, resilience, and an appreciation for nature’s healing power. As students work together to cultivate and care for plants, they develop problem-solving skills, confidence, and mindfulness.
Beyond growing food, the Horizons gardening program fosters learning, health, and connection. By embracing themes of growth and renewal, we create a space where students thrive, sowing the seeds for a brighter, more sustainable future.
“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.”