The Gardens are for learners of all ages! If you are a teen or the guardian of a teen looking for botanically-inspired educational opportunities, check out our available options and find the right fit for you:
Year-Round Volunteer Opportunities (Ages 14-17)
Each hyperlink below will give you more details about the specific volunteer opportunities at The Gardens.
Butterfly House: Volunteering in our Butterfly House is both educational and rewarding! Butterfly House volunteers are responsible for maintaining USDA containment standards, helping to ensure excellent guest experience, and enhancing guest takeaways through interpretation and education.
Horticulture: Horticulture volunteers assist horticulture staff on weekday mornings in our outdoor gardens and propagation in our greenhouse on different days of the week throughout the growing season. Gardening tasks include weeding, transplanting, seeding, mulching, turning soil, deadheading, and harvesting fruits and vegetables. Outdoor gardening opportunity requires a moderate activity level and a willingness to work outside under varying conditions. Some adaptations can be made.
Special Events: These opportunities occur throughout the year to assist with set-up and day of activities, including ticket scanning, greeting guests, crowd management, and wayfinding. Most opportunities require standing and walking around the event; however, seated opportunities are available.
School’s Out! Volunteer Days
School’s out! Volunteer Days are open to all teens in 6th–12th grades.
While connecting with other teens, you will learn more about The Gardens and additional teen volunteer opportunities available throughout the year. Come learn and grow!
Spring 2025 Dates and Themes:
Interested? Please fill out our online waiver to save your spot! The program is limited to 15 participants.
Project Hort, short for horticulture, is a full summer stewardship, STEM and volunteer program for teens entering 7th through 12th grade who are passionate about gardening, plants, animals or the environment.
Over the course of the summer, with staff guidance and support, teens will:
This program is a full summer commitment. However, we understand that vacations are important and will work with your schedule.
Project Hort shifts are flexible depending on your schedule. You are welcome to sign up for morning shifts, afternoon shifts, or full-day shifts:
Teens are required to attend a minimum of 12 hours a week. Our Team Meeting time with all Project Hort participants is every Tuesday afternoon, 12–4 p.m.
While there are many incredible benefits to participating in Project Hort, here are a few of our favorites:
Please keep these dates in mind as you plan your application:
Summer 2025 applications are now closed. Thank you for your interest!
Age: Open to Rising 6th through 8th Graders (SOLD OUT)
Dates: July 21 – 25 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. each day
Cost: $150
Do you want to make the world a better place? Come learn how to be a steward of the environment! During this week, we will learn all about how horticulture can help save the world through planting, harvesting, and caring for plants, the foundation of life on earth. This middle school-focused half-day camp will also explore what stewardship can look like in your community and prepare participants for volunteer opportunities throughout the City of Fort Collins. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn from our teen Project Hort participants about their volunteer experience at The Gardens.
Summer Camps are Sold Out: To join our waitlist, please email our Education Team with your phone number, your child's name, grade level next year, desired camp and date: GardensEducation@fcgov.com
Questions about teen programming? Contact Britt Mowen, Education Assistant, at bmowen@fcgov.com.