“We just started about two weeks ago,” Danielle Paulick said.

Paulick, who is the mother of Cameron kindergarten student Wyatt Paulick, established the club with the goal of teaching students about topics like where their food comes from, the importance of healthy eating, and the joy of growing their own food.

“I think it’s an overall great opportunity for children to learn about nutrition and have fun while doing it,” she said.

When the club began, students worked to prepare beds, till compost into soil, and remove rocks. Since then, they have been busy planting, watering plants, and putting down straw to keep weeds from growing and to reduce the need for watering.

Jordan Beck | Daily Press Cameron Elementary School kindergartners Wyatt Paulick, left, and Madeline Fabbri stand next to a scarecrow created with the help of the Cameron Garden Club. For the past few weeks, Cameron students have been participating in this newly-formed club.

Students also helped to make a scarecrow to watch over the club’s beds. Cameron kindergartner Madeline Fabbri said this was one of her favorite things the group has done.

“I liked making the scarecrow,” she said.

The Cameron Garden Club has met each school day at Cameron during the school’s lunchtime recess. Paulick said students have been consistently enthusiastic about the club.

“Every day, they’re excited,” she said.

According to Paulick, several businesses in the area have supported the Cameron Garden Club.

“The community is behind this project, which I think is amazing,” she said. Iverson’s Home Center provided lumber at 50 percent of its usual price for the club’s raised beds, Tractor Supply Co. provided tax-exempt compost for the group, Chenier’s Greenhouse donated plants to the club, and All Season Garden Supply donated fertilizer.

Though Gladstone’s 2017-18 school year will soon come to a close, the Cameron Garden Club will meet regularly this summer.

“(The) Garden Club will meet … Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6 to 7 (p.m.),” Paulick said.

During the club’s summer meetings, participating students will maintain the beds, learn about horticulture and agriculture, and do activities to prepare for the fall. Club meetings will not be held during the week of Independence Day.

Wyatt Paulick said he is looking forward to growing several different types of vegetables this summer.

“I want to plant a lot of things, like lettuce and stuff,” he said.

Paulick said that the Cameron Garden Club is planning to give people a taste of their work this autumn with a harvest feast.

“We’re going to share what we get from our garden with the children, and other children have already volunteered to bring … items from their personal gardens or family gardens,” she said.

For more information on the Cameron Garden Club, or to help support the club, call Paulick at (715) 935-0620.