Shepherd's Hill Farm Residents Visit South Carolina Botanical Gardens

One of the privileges of attending a Georgia Christian school is being so close to South Carolina. The resident girls of Shepherd's Hill Farm, a troubled teen Christian Boarding School in the US, took a trip to the South Carolina Botanical Gardens at Clemson University. Being an Atlanta area boarding school for teens has its advantages. The trip was not only fun and relaxing, but it was quite educational. What a wonderful way to end the 2010 school year for these troubled teens. Many "Thanks" to our tour guide, Ms. Karen Terry, who graciously volunteered her time to give the tour. Ms. Terry is a SC Certified Horticulturist and Landscape Designer. She is also an Upstate SC Master Naturalist and Gardener. She shared her knowledge and history of the gardens with the resident girls of Shepherd's Hill Farm Christian boarding school and wilderness program for troubled youth.

The gardens were so fragrant. We started the tour discovering the names of many different flowers, plants and trees; Rhodendrum, Ferns, Azaleas, Magnolias, Camellias, Japanese Spruce, and much, much more. Ms. Terry showed us pictures of different snakes; and learned that Copperheads are not our friends, but Rat & King snakes are useful to have around. If you get a snake bite, it is not wise to squeeze the venom out or apply a tourniquet. It is best to only wash out the snake bite before you get medical treatment. Ms. Terry was impressed with the questions the girls from Shepherd's Hill Farm Christian boarding school and wilderness program for troubled youth asked about plants, trees, wildlife and snakes in the area.

As we hiked along the beautiful trails in the gardens, we came across a pond that housed fish, turtles, and geese. Up from the pond was the Hunt family cabin. It was an 1800's homestead. Here we learned when Abraham Lincoln was only 9 years old; his mother died from milk disease, which was contracted from drinking milk of a cow that had eaten poisonous plants. A little further down the trail from the homestead, we saw the Crucible. The Crucible was positioned/built with a hole in the top center, and within line of the sun during the Winter & Summer solstice in order to allow light in year round.

Along the way, the group from our Georgia Christian School was entertained by a Clemson University student practicing his French Horn, and we learned so many interesting things: bark of a willow tree is used to make aspirin. Fungus & algae combined is lichen. Skunks & bats are mammals that come out at night, & 10% of them have rabies. Hawks & Owls are in competition over the same prey, that's why the hawks are out at dawn & dusk, & the Owls come out at night. Black walnuts can be used to make hair dye. They also produce a lot of acid in the soil where they are grown; because of this daffodils are the only thing that will grow near black walnut trees. Daffodils are poisonous to eat. Ms. Terry was amazed that a group of girls from a troubled teen Christian Boarding School in the US would be so attentive to the details she gave about the gardens.

Towards the end of the tour, we stopped by the newly planted Butterfly Garden. The plants of this garden are called "Host Plants." Specific plants are used to attract butterflies and to create a perfect environment for them. We learned that each butterfly has a favorite plant in which it will lay its eggs. These are the larva plants, and the nectar plants are used for food. Butterflies need the temperature to be at least 70 degrees in order to fly. The smaller the butterfly, and the colder the climate, will decrease the life span of most butterflies. We also learned that botanist actually tag butterflies in order to do research on them.

To end a spectacular day, these Georgia Christian school girls were surprised with a special treat for lunch at a local restaurant. Many special Thanks to Ms. Beth for arranging this awesome event. What a great way to start the Summer at this Atlanta area boarding school for teens, Shepherd's Hill Farm!

Shepherd's Hill Farm is a Christian Boarding School, as well as an outdoor residential program located on an 80 acre wilderness facility for troubled youth ages 13-17 struggling with a variety of negative behaviors. We are equipped with a completely devoted Christian staff that uses biblical principles in a loving authoritative community environment.