Garden Apprentice Program

Garden Apprentices in all tiers

• Learn about botany and environmentalism through hands-on sessions.
• Grow and harvest fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the Children’s Garden.
• Facilitate lessons to teach children about plants and nature.
• Explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s amazing plant collections.
• Develop job skills, including teamwork, communication, and leadership.
• Earn a monetary reimbursement at the end of the apprenticeship.

Tier 1

Open to students in 8th or 9th grade

• Tier 1 apprentices build skills in urban faming while learning to become an effective environmental educators. They spend most of their time gardening outdoors, cooking with fresh ingredients, crafting, and exploring nature with children aged 4–12, guided by an adult instructor and a Tier 4 apprentice.
• Reimbursement: $600

Tier 2

Open to students in 10th grade or to those who have successfully completed Tier 1

• Tier 2 apprentices work both behind the scenes and with the public at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Apprentices learn about different horticultural approaches, teach visitors about botany in the Discovery Garden, and conduct science experiments.
• Reimbursement: $700

Tier 3

Open to students in 11th grade or to those who have successfully completed Tier 2

• Tier 3 apprentices work in teams to research, design, and create their own GAP carts, education stations that are wheeled out into the Garden. Tier 3 apprentices practice public-speaking and teaching skills as they engage with Garden visitors from all over the world.
• Tier 3 apprentices serve as role models and leaders for other apprentices.
• Tier 3 apprentices who are rising seniors participate in college preparation sessions to start the college application process.
• Reimbursement: $800

Tier 4

Open to students who have successfully completed Tier 3

• Tier 4 apprentices hone the skills they need to become effective environmental educators. With the mentorship of an adult instructor, Tier 4 apprentices spend most of their time gardening outdoors, cooking with fresh ingredients, crafting, and exploring nature with children aged 4–12.
• Tier 4 apprentices receive leadership training and serve as role models and leaders for other apprentices.
• Tier 4 apprentices who are rising seniors participate in college preparation sessions to start the college application process.
• Tier 4 apprentices are onboarded as BBG staff and earn $15 per hour.

Show larger version of GAP participants with scarecrow

1. How do I apply to GAP?
You can start an online application by clicking the “Apply” button above. By making an account, you can save your progress and make edits later. If you submit your application materials before December 8, 2023, you will be invited for an interview. Paper applications and reference forms are available upon request.

2. How does GAP decide who is accepted into the program?
The staff panel reviews the applications and considers the applicants’ short-answer responses and their reference forms, as well as how the applicants represent themselves at the group interview. We are looking for commitment and genuine interest in learning at BBG, among other qualities. GAP aims to create a community that reflects the cultural, socioeconomic, and racial diversity of New York City. Past performance in the Garden Apprentice Program is also taken into consideration for returning applicants.

3. Do I get paid? When?
Apprentices who successfully complete Tiers 1–3 are given a nontaxable reimbursement. Apprentices in Tiers 1–3 are not employees, and there are no fees to participate. The allotment for each tier aims to reimburse apprentices for personal expenses accrued while participating in GAP. This includes sun/insect protection, shoes, outdoor clothing and gear, cellular fees to communicate with staff, lunch money, transportation, some program materials, and college preparation fees (Tier 3 only).

Apprentices who complete the program year with perfect attendance, as defined by the GAP handbook, will receive an additional reimbursement of $50.

• Tier 1: $600
• Tier 2: $700
• Tier 3: $800
• Tier 4 apprentices are considered part-time BBG staff and must be eligible to work in accordance with the NYC Department of Labor. Additionally, Tier 4 apprentices will receive an hourly wage of $15 per hour based on the applicable minimum wage set by the NYC Department of Labor.

4. What is the time commitment for an apprentice?
Apprentices typically work an average of 5–7 hours per week during the spring and fall and 20–30 hours per week during summer programming. Over the course of the year, our apprentices spend approximately 210–270 hours at the Garden. All apprentices have mandatory training on three full Saturdays in March. Meetings, trainings, and special events will be added periodically to the calendar.

While many apprentices participate in sports, clubs, college prep, and other extracurricular activities, we do ask that serious applicants prioritize GAP, after academics. We help apprentices develop the time-management skills needed to juggle multiple responsibilities and are generally flexible regarding occasional conflicts, provided the apprentice communicates with supervisors in advance.

5. What are the dates for the 2024 program?
GAP runs from March through November 2024, with orientation in February. Please see the 2024 GAP Calendar for details.

6. Can I participate in only parts of GAP?
No. We ask apprentices to make a full commitment to the program, March–November. If you are looking for a summer internship only, this is not the place for you!

7. What if I want to go on vacation during the summer?
Please schedule family vacations and other activities before or after the dates listed on the application.

8. If I participated in the Children’s Garden programs (Seeds, City Farmers, Junior Botanists, etc.), do I automatically get into GAP?
No, we do not automatically accept anyone into the program—all students must submit a full application and be interviewed. We have many apprentices who have participated in other BBG programs, and we encourage all former program participants to apply.

9. I am in the 12th grade now—can I apply to be an apprentice?
Unfortunately, students currently in the 12th grade are not eligible to apply for GAP. The only 12th graders in the program are returning Tier 4 apprentices. (Tier 4 is not open to new applicants.)

10. Do I have to pay to participate in the Garden Apprentice Program?
No, there is no fee to participate. Apprentices in Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 receive a reimbursement at the end of the program (see question 3).

11. Do I need to have gardening experience to be accepted as an apprentice?
No. We have some apprentices with years of experience in growing food and working with plants and many more apprentices who have never set foot in a vegetable garden. The apprenticeship is designed so that people from all knowledge levels have opportunities to learn and explore.

12. Do I need to disclose my immigration status to apply?
Regardless of your immigration status, you are encouraged to apply to GAP.

13. Do I have to start at Tier 1, or can I join the program at another tier level?
New applicants can apply to the Garden Apprentice Program at any tier except Tier 4. To apply to be a Tier 4 apprentice, you must have successfully completed Tier 3.

14. Can I skip a tier?
We generally encourage apprentices to participate in all tiers once they have joined GAP as there are opportunities and skills unique to each tier that we think are valuable as you move up through the program.

15. Do I have to reapply to the program every year?
Yes. Even if you were in the program previously, you must submit an application (with reference letters) and participate in a group interview every year. You are not guaranteed a position in the next tier of the program just because you participated before.

16. Can I apply for the Summer Youth Employment Program in the summer and still participate in GAP?
Due to scheduling constraints and other concerns, we are not able to have apprentices apply for SYEP funding for the summer.

17. Could participation in GAP count toward community service credit?
Absolutely! The hours you contribute to BBG as an apprentice are considered volunteer hours. These hours can be used toward community service requirements from your school. Even though apprentices receive reimbursement for time at the garden (see question 3), the hours contributed are still considered volunteer hours.

18. Are MetroCards provided for transportation to and from the Garden?
Metrocards will be provided to Tier 1–3 apprentices if needed for transportation to and from GAP programs.

19. Will the program consider applicants with special needs?
Applicants with special needs are given equal consideration. We review each individual’s application on a case-by-case basis and, for applicants who may need significant support in order to participate fully in the program, may follow up with the applicant and his or her family to ensure a good fit. Please contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss a particular student’s application.

20. How many apprentices are accepted into the program?
GAP accepts 12 to 14 apprentices per tier. In the past, we have received about three times that number of applications. Therefore, acceptance into the program is competitive but not impossible! Good luck!

More questions? Contact the GAP coordinators at 718-623-7252, 718-623-7328, or [email protected].

Show larger version of Garden Apprentice Program Group Shot

Most dates listed below are mandatory; starred* dates are optional shifts. Additional optional shifts and special events may be added to the calendar later. Apprentices may request off for religious holidays they observe. Please contact the GAP coordinators ASAP if you have scheduling conflicts or concerns: [email protected].

Download GAP Program Calendar as a PDF ›

GAP Spring Programs 2024 (February–June)

* Select Tier 1 can participate in lieu of CG programs.

GAP Summer Programs 2024 (July–August)

GAP Fall Programs 2023 (September–November)

* Optional Shift