Local School Garden Inspires 300 Special Needs Students

LAS VEGAS - May 14, 2014 - PRLog -- School gardens are being planted across the U.S. because they have been shown to raise student test scores, improve student eating habits and build community around a school. Special needs teacher Jennifer Davis started a garden at Desert Oasis High School in 2012. Today, 300 special needs students oversee 14 garden beds, and Davis plans on expanding the garden to 40 beds, an orchard and eventually a culinary arts building with a kitchen and dining area. On Saturday, May 31, 2014, Eco Insurance Group will present Club Heads 4 Garden Beds (http://www.ecoinsurancegroup.com/), a golf tournament to benefit the Desert Oasis High School Garden.

Davis explains, “I am very excited about the golf tournament as we have big plans for our school garden. Since the students began participating in our gardening program, we’ve noticed very positive changes in self-confidence, attention span and responsibility.”

The tournament will take place at Silverstone Golf Club (8600 Cupp Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89131) on Saturday, May 31, 2014. The event will include a 4-person scramble, buffet and awards reception. Registration is $125 for individual golfers; $450 for foursomes.

Green Our Planet started the Outdoor Garden Classroom Program in Las Vegas in January 2013 with the goal of building outdoor vegetable gardens where students can be taught a variety of subjects, including STEM, health and nutrition education. They currently have over 20 school gardens in Las Vegas. “Numerous studies have shown that outdoor gardens are an incredibly powerful teaching tool,” said Ciara Byrne, co-CEO and co-founder of Green Our Planet.

Tournament sponsor, Matt Neely, shared: “I am committed to dedicating a percentage of our profits to innovative environmental projects across Las Vegas, and with its focus on children, education and greening Vegas, the Outdoor Garden Classroom Program is the ideal feel good, do good partner. We are honored to support the Desert Oasis students and to be a part of educating our youth on how to create a healthy future.”