Opal, the State's Scholarship Chairman wishes to remind persons interested in National Garden Clubs Scholarship grants that they should refer to the NGC website: www.gardenclub.org for detailed information re applications etc. Contact Garden Clubs of Illinois 630.617.9269 regarding state scholarships. They can put you in touch with the state chairman. You may also refer to the winter issue (2008) of GARDENGlories for further details on national, state, and club scholarships.

From its very beginning National Garden Clubs, Inc. has provided outstanding educational opportunities for its members and other interested individuals. It has established four formal schools of study along with special workshops, symposia, and conferences. The Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc. offers all four schools of study established by the parent organization. These schools are scheduled at various times and locations in Illinois. For specific information regarding upcoming school schedules, please contact the GCI Headquarters in Elmhurst.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES SCHOOL

Are you concerned about the environmental health of our world? Would you like to share a learning experience with like-minded individuals? If so consider enrolling in Environmental Studies School. The "Living Earth" Environmental Studies School is composed of a minimum of forty-four hours of study of specific units divided into four courses of eleven hours each.

Every course contains nine (9) hours of specified units of study and a two (2) hour tour.

At the conclusion of each course a written "Open Book" examination is given. After successful completion of all four courses the student will have earned the designation of Nationally Accredited Environmental Consultant.

Course I, Series V of Environmental Studies School, will be offered next spring, March 5 and 6, 2008. Mark your calendar and don’t miss this opportunity to hear a total of 9 lectures by environmental science professionals. Come learn the language of “Going Green,” evaluate environmental programs, and explore community resources to help you separate the facts from the fictions. Contact GCI Headquarters for Further information.

FLOWER SHOW SCHOOLS

If floral design is of interest to you, consider attending a Flower Show School. You need not be interested in becoming a Flower Show Judge to attend. National Garden Clubs, Inc. has established a system of Flower Show Schools in order to meet the following goals: (1) to train and accredit flower show judges; (2) to increase interest and knowledge in the fields of horticulture and design; (3) to encourage beautiful and educational flower shows.

Flower Show Schools operate on two levels, (1) four basic courses; (2) symposiums for advanced study. The curriculum developed for the Flower Show Schools offers in-depth study in flower show procedure, horticulture and design. An understanding of the standards of exhibiting and judging is acquired from the lectures, horticulture specimens, designs and student participation.

Design (photo): "All in the Family" - A Mono-Botanic Design. Gerry Ford, Lake Forest, Woodlands Garden Club and Avant Garde.

SYMPOSIUMS

Symposiums are courses of advanced study within the Flower Show Schools program. Topics for study provide in-depth study of: new horticultural developments; innovative methods of staging horticulture, designs and special exhibits; advanced types of floral design; judging procedures; ethics; etc. Anyone interested in the subjects taught is welcome to attend the Symposium.

GARDENING STUDIES

Do you want to become a better gardener? Do you want to know more about plant materials and how they grow? Gardening Studies courses are for you.

The Gardening Studies courses are designed for members and other interested persons to become accomplished horticulturists. These courses are especially valuable for anyone who wants to improve their gardening skills and learn the "nuts and bolts" of home gardening success. Instructors are accredited and academically associated with a horticulture, botany, biology or comparable department of a college or university, a County Agriculture Agent, and/or be a horticulture professional who is a specialist in their field.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN STUDY PROGRAM

Interested in improving your own home landscape? Would you like to find out more about landscape design from experts? The Landscape Design Study Program is for you. The objectives of the Study Program are to help students develop a greater sense of appreciation, pride and knowledge about our private and public gardens; become better educated to make changes in our surroundings; stimulate interest in all phases of landscape design and develop Landscape Design Consultants to provide leadership, educational programs, scholarships, awards and promote better landscape design.

The complete course consists of four (4) ten hour teaching sessions and an optional written exam for each session. Each course is complete in itself and may be taken in any order, starting with any course. No previous knowledge or data is required. Students who complete the four courses and pass the exams within a seven (7) year period are designated Landscape Design Consultants.