Gardening supplies and plants (please ask for list)
Commercial-grade wheelbarrows
Video cameras
Books/videos about NYC, environment, nutrition, animals, outdoors
Office supplies (please ask for list)
Please note that we do not accept cotton garments due to the material’s poor insulation properties. If you have questions about the effectiveness of a product, please ask your local retailer or email for more info
In August 2009, Concrete Safaris won the Legacy Grant from Communities IMPACT Diabetes Center,...
CS Wins Legacy Grant from Mount Sinai School of Medicine
In August 2009, Concrete Safaris won the Legacy Grant from Communities IMPACT Diabetes Center, A REACH U.S. Center of Excellence at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, enabling the organization to build its outdoor diabetes prevention education programs. Thank you for your support!!!
Earlier this year, the children in our after school program surveyed the community to...
Mad Fun Farm: Progress Report
Earlier this year, the children in our after school program surveyed the community to find out which shade-tolerant vegetables and flowers they might want to eat and admire. Using the square-foot gardening method, the children figured out how many vegetable transplants we needed to fill the raised beds. Nine children in the after school program will have the opportunity to bring their traditional school classes for field trips called Green Exercise Days this school year. The children will learn about environmental health and diabetes prevention, create butterfly art from reusable materials, plant transplants, seeds, shrubs, and trees, and exercise outdoors by raking, shoveling, and weeding for greater health. In May, children from the Police Athletic League and mentors from JP Morgan kicked off the Green Exercise Day season. The group planted vegetable transplants, including broccoli, peppermint, rosemary, lettuce, strawberries, collard greens, and cut flowers. Top Photo: two students in the after school program show off companion plants, lettuce and strawberries. Lower Photo: two students show off our first flowering broccoli florets.
This April, we embarked on a 3 -day/2-night wilderness retreat to Harriman State...
Spring Wilderness Retreat
This April, we embarked on a 3 -day/2-night wilderness retreat to Harriman State Park. The children hiked, took nature photos thanks to a grant from the Norcross Wildlife Foundation, studied diabetes prevention education, and learned healthy cooking techniques. Jaws dropped at the views! Here: a student crosses a stream.
CS Explorers learned about the winter wilderness survival skills of Prospect Park’s animals from...
Field Trip: Prospect Park
CS Explorers learned about the winter wilderness survival skills of Prospect Park’s animals from NYC Park Ranger, Marissa. We also visited the Grand Army Plaza GreenMarket where the kids learned about different kinds of farms and tasted yummy apples, meat, and breads. CS Explorers dropped off their old pillow cases at the Textile Recycling Station and drank delicious hot chocolate to keep warm. Brrrr…. Here are some photos of local habitats as seen by the kids.
Abu Talib, a founder of Taqwa Community Farm, gave CS Explorers a grand tour of his 1/2 acre space. We learned how they compost, what they grow (fruit, vegetables, bees, & chickens), and how they operate their youth farmers market. We even got to eat freshly baked potatoes, play on the swingset, and buy some just harvested vegetables! It was a lot of fun!
This semester, Concrete Safaris began working with 7-8-year olds who learned about animal habitats, composting and recycling, the water cycle, adaption, and carrying capacity. Utilizing a curriculum developed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, we had fun fishing at Harlem Meer, feeding worms in our compost bin, and swapping books to learn about reusing our belongings.
Members of the Appalachian Mountain Club took 12 children hiking in Sterling Forest. The children had the opportunity to see a former mine and the singular remaining home from a town developed by workers of the mine. They also got to touch snakes, hike to the top of a fire tower, and test their limits.
Prior to her death, Sally Yarmolinsky worked at Union Settlement Association for over a decade and was a great lover of gardening and hiking. She left a bequest for children to enjoy the great outdoors. Each participant received a “Sally Hike” hat to commemorate the occasion. We thank her for this opportunity!
Through a partnership with Appalachian Mountain Club’s Youth Opportunities Program, CS Explorers camped at Mohican Outdoor Center in Blairstown, New Jersey. We hiked, learned to set up and break down camp, learned to cook, and made awesome s’mores!
Through Concrete Safaris’ Green Exercise Day program, over 170 youth and their teachers from...
Mad Fun Farm: First Youth-Centered Farm on NYCHA property
Through Concrete Safaris’ Green Exercise Day program, over 170 youth and their teachers from PS 182, PS 198, and Union Settlement Association’s Rising Stars program along with 70 volunteers from Citizens Committee for NYC, Computer Associates, and J.P. Morgan began installing Mad Fun Farm, the first youth-centered farm on NYCHA property citywide, over Earth Week 2009. 7-8-year-olds in Concrete Safaris’ after school program at Union Settlement Association’s Rising Stars site spent the past 4 months designing Mad Fun Farm. Each participating child who is interested will bring his or her class to continue installing the space, giving him or her an opportunity to be healthy leaders through various social networks.
