This week’s Garden of Fire adventures were held at the CareFirst facility and centered around symbology, and how kids can connect to a symbol to represent themselves.
At first the kids sat silent, not sure what symbology meant, but as the discussion went on, on students found ways to connect. Across the board, the favorite symbols were spirals and trees.
One of the students chose the spiral to represent the life cycle during the decorating of the flags. He asked me as he drew: “Can I do the lifecycle of the chicken?” He then explains the egg, the chick, the chicken and a blank section… fried chicken. I pause, and of course giggle a little, not sure how to respond.
It may offend some, as we all make choices in what we eat and many choose not to eat meat. We talk a bit more and he tells of the chickens his family raises for eggs and meat. This is how he and his family choose to live and it’s wonderful to be grateful for the meat and truly understand the sacrifices and not just go to the store to pick up a package. 
I tell this story because Garden of Fire is a place where these students can be themselves. They are not being judged or having to fit into the preverbial box. These symbols represent him and his family.
One of the goals on the program is to teach gardening and science. If more children had the experience of really knowing where all their food came from, and the work that is put into a simple slice of bread, our world would be a better place.
Garden of Fire 