City Growers: Urban Farming Summer Camp

Ever wonder how cities will feed themselves in the future? You're about to find out.This isn't your typical summer camp. The UDC College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences invites high school students (ages 14-18) to discover the future of urban food at our FREE hands-on Urban Hydroponics Farming Camp. Over five hands-on days, students will build real hydroponic systems, grow actual food, and learn the science behind soil-free farming that's changing how cities eat.

What You'll Learn:

• Soil-free farming: Build and manage hydroponic systems designed for small urban spaces
• Seed to harvest: Grow sprouts, microgreens, and fresh produce from start to finish
• Food security: Understand how urban farming can feed communities and solve food deserts
• Nutrition basics: Learn what makes food healthy and how to make better choices
• Real entrepreneurship: Price, market, and sell your harvest at a working farmers market
• Career pathways: Explore opportunities in agriculture, food systems, nutrition, and sustainability

Why Parents Love This Summer Camp:

• Completely FREE
• Real-world skills students can use immediately
• Hands-on STEM learning with tangible results
• Exposure to UDC's urban agriculture programs and college pathways
• Entrepreneurial experience that looks great on college applications
• Addresses critical issues: food access, climate change, and sustainable living

Why Students Love It:

• You actually grow something and take it home
• You run a real business (even if just for a day)
• No boring lectures—you're doing, building, and creating
• Perfect for small apartments or anyone without a yard
• Learn skills that could become a side hustle or career

Days/Hours: Monday, July 20 - Saturday, July 25 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: Van Ness Campus, 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20008

Additional Info:

• Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum capacity of 10 participants.
• Participants must be 14 - 18 years of age and residents of the District of Columbia.
• Participants must obtain transportation to and from the UDC Van Ness campus.
• Participants will receive the funds generated at the farmers market sales at the end of the week
• All campers must have a parent/guardian sign the waiver form. You will receive the waiver after completing your registration.
• A parent or guardian must sign a photo waiver form for all campers. Please submit an electronic version (preferred) or bring the signed copy with you on the first day of camp.

For more information, please contact: Andrew Blunk, Project Specialist, at [email protected] or call 202-329-7155.

About UDC - CAUSES

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is a historically Black, urban land grant university that offers associate, baccalaureate, and graduate programs, certificate programs and community outreach programs to learners of all ages.The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) embodies the land-grant tradition of UDC. We offer cutting edge academic programs in urban sustainability, water resources management, nutrition and dietetics, urban architecture and community planning. CAUSES also offer a wide range of programs that serve individuals and organizations in our community and beyond.

___

Connect with CAUSES

To receive CAUSES news updates, information on upcoming virtual events, and specialized programming, please sign up here.

Connect with us on social below!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X | YouTube

Healthy Cities-Healthy People

By registering for this event, I consent to calls, emails, and texts from the University of the District of Columbia at the phone number and/or email address that I have provided. Calls may occur from automated technology.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher UDC CAUSES