On Tuesday, June 10, 2014 thirteen teens began their summer internship with the CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). Seven returning youth [Windy Pun, Candy Williams, Jairo Villalta, Jennifer Rodriques, Kyle Peterson, Monique Adams and Rodrick Irby] joined six new recruits [Amanda Jack, Angie Lemus, Jahnae Stanford, Ivan Galdamez, Maceo Mayorga and Deondre Walker]. It was a day of getting-to-know-you games, and an introduction to Koshland Garden and what’s in store for the summer. Some of the returning BEETS led tours of the garden, tool shed, compost bins, and orchard.
The BEETS summer schedule is chock-full of exciting activities, including a camping trip in the Presidio, joining the Mo’Magic Mentor Series, lesson planning, garden maintenance, trips to Green Gulch Farm and Bi-Rite Grocery, and various community service events. The theme of the summer is water conservation and learning about the area of Hetch Hetchy Water System. The youth, ages 15-19, will participate in hands-on learning and training in water conservation in community gardens. They will have the change to explore the water services and water-related careers offered by the SFPUC. They will also have the opportunity to share what they’ve learned about water conservation and drought awareness with the community through a series of outreach activities designed and organized by the BEETS themselves. Welcome and enjoy!
