Exploring South Korea Through the Lens of Gardens, Education, and Global Connection From vibrant botanic gardens to unexpected adventures on Korea’s high‑speed trains, Director of Education Bryan Thompsonowak's summer adventures offered a whole new perspective on global horticulture, education, and the power of green spaces to connect people across cultures. Image Morris Director of Education Bryan Thompsonowak and Education Programs Manager Mackenzie Knight-Fochs of Scott Arboretum & Gardens at Swarthmore College before their BGCI presentation. This past June, I had the exciting opportunity to travel to South Korea through the Paul Meyer and Debbie Rogers Extraordinary Experience Endowment, which supports transformative international learning experiences for Morris Arboretum & Gardens staff. Although I had never visited Korea before, the trip quickly became one of the most memorable journeys of my career. What began as a long-anticipated‑anticipated adventure soon unfolded into an inspiring look at global horticulture, educational collaboration, and the deep cultural value Korea places on green spaces. The first week of my trip centered around the Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) Education Conference in Seoul, a gathering that only occurs once every few years and attracts garden educators from every continent. The experience was unlike any conference I had attended in the United States—sessions were introduced with more theatrical flair than I’m accustomed to, with walk‑up music, enthusiastic MCs, cameras, lights, video and camera crews, and an energy that transformed educational presentations into celebratory moments. Beneath the spectacle, though, was a clear shared mission: to ignite public appreciation for plants, landscapes, and the natural world. I had the pleasure of co-presenting with Education Programs Manager Mackenzie Knight-Fochs of Scott Arboretum & Gardens at Swarthmore College , highlighting the collaborative conferences and …

Summer Camp Summer Camp Image Image Summer Camp 2026 If you are looking for a camp that will spark curiosity and nourish your child’s interest in nature, then look no further! Our camp is a full day outdoor experience meant to inspire wonder and appreciation for the natural world. At Nature Explorers Summer Camp, we engage with our environment and learn about the plants, animals, fungi, and habitats that we encounter. Led by Morris staff and counselors, each day will be filled with games, activities, hikes, science, and crafts.   Registration Join the Waitlist → After you register and pay online, please do not forget to fill out the camp forms ! We must get info about your camper to ensure their safety!  * Please Note – We are a small camp, but we strive to offer a nature camp experience to as many children as possible. We request that each child is registered for a MAXIMUM OF 3 WEEKS OF CAMP.  Because our checkout experience also tends to get overwhelmed with web traffic during the opening days, having fewer weeks in your cart improves your chances of success at checkout. If you are interested in registering for more than three weeks, you are welcome to add more camp weeks if available, or join the waitlist, beginning January 30 . Because our registration is early in the year and plans change, waitlist spots do become available. If you are already registered for three weeks but are offered a spot from the waitlist, your child can attend for additional weeks.     How to Register  Pay online through the Morris Arboretum & Gardens website . During the initial wave of registration, each child is limited to 3 weeks! Join the waitlist beginning January 30 for a chance to participate in more weeks.  After you pay, check for and read your confirmation email.   Download and PRINT your camper forms and mail them to:  Morris Arboretum & Gardens Attn: Education Summer Camp 9414 Meadowbrook Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118  Please note: It is against the University of Pennsylvania …

Growing a Career Through the Urban Forestry Apprenticeship From learning to identify and care for trees to attending national conferences, Matt Walker shares how the Urban Forestry Apprenticeship helped him grow as an arborist, a student, and a steward of the environment. Image Matt Walker working at the base of a young tree. The Urban Forestry Apprenticeship was supposed to last just one year, but two years and a few months later it’s time to reflect on my experience here at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. I’m in awe of the vast wealth of knowledge that was shared with me. Not only am I able to identify trees around me, but I also know how to plant them, how to care for them, and how to manage them in landscapes. I learned how to use mapping and design software, how to use arboricultural equipment like resistance drills, and how to write reports for clients. I attended many educational tree-related conferences and was able to take master-level courses at the University of Pennsylvania in soil science and environmental planning. The encouragement I received from those around me nurtured my passion for trees and the environment. That support came to life through my achievement of becoming an ISA Certified Arborist—an accomplishment made possible by this apprenticeship. With the expertise I gained at Morris, I created the foundational skill set for the rest of my career caring for trees. Image Matt Walker, former Martha S. Miller & Rusty Miller Urban Forestry Apprentice. UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES One of the unique things about this apprenticeship is that it took me to amazing places outside the Morris gates. As a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area, I had the opportunity to see parts of my region I had never seen before from a perspective that not many people get to experience. Some highlights include finding the state champion southern red oak in a city park, teaching students about trees at W.B Saul High School, and peering down George Washington’s outhouse while …