SUBMITTED BY TRICIA CAMMERZELL | KENT SCHOOL
On Thursday, September 2, employees of Kent School in Chestertown partnered with Wildly Native Flower Farm to participate in a team-building exercise that resulted in community service for several local service organizations. At the beginning of the exercise, Kent School employees were grouped into eight teams of four. Each team included a teacher from a different division and an administrator. After working together to solve a riddle, teams set off to different local service organizations such as the Kent County Public Library, The Kent County Food Pantry, Emergency Services, Senior Center, Chester River Pharmacy, Women in Need, and more.
Once there, team members asked employees questions about their organization. After these brief introductions, teams received a clue that would lead them to Wildly Native Flower Farm located on Broad Neck Road.
At Wildly Native Flower Farm, Kent School employees were greeted by the farm founder, Liza Goetz. Liza informed each team of the true purpose of their time at the flower farm. Teams were on-site to gather and prepare multiple bouquets of flowers and return them to their designated service organizations to deliver them. Several Wildly Native staff members were on hand to assist with arranging an array of pre-cut flowers grown on-site. Kent School employees were also invited to roam sunflower and zinnia fields to choose and cut their own flowers. After approximately sixty minutes of arranging, the Kent School employee group had created over 40 arrangements to brighten the day of area service providers in keeping with Wildly Native Flower Farm’s motto which is Grow, Gather, Give.
Nancy Mugele, Head of Kent School worked with Liza Goetz on all the plans for this combined team building and community service project. Liza said, “It was a wonderful partnership. I have been thinking about how to thank the many organizations in and around Chestertown that kept our community happy and safe throughout the pandemic. When Nancy contacted me about doing her team-building event, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.” Mugele added, “This was such an outstanding way for our employees to be together in this beautiful place and be inspired by nature and each other to create these cheerful bouquets. Each year, I select a word that guides our School community throughout the academic year. This year, that word is Belong. As a team-building exercise, it was a wonderful reminder that we all “belong” in the Kent School community. As a community service exercise, we were all reminded of the importance of “belonging” in Chestertown and Kent County. It was so gratifying to deliver flowers to people whose job it is to care for others, and it was clear that they so appreciated the gesture of kindness. There were smiles all around!”
Wildly Native Flower Farm is located at 7060 Broadneck Road in Chestertown. For more information about the farm visit www.wildlynativeflowerfarm.com or call 443-457-8475.
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