SPRING / SUMMER
Tours in 2012

Spring is Growing!

Ages 2 to 10 ( April 13 through June 8)

During this program the children learn all about seeds and plants! They learn the parts of a seed, how it grows roots and what the roots do for the plant. They discuss plants and germination, stems, flowers, and chlorophyll. We do adapt the educational material to the children's grade level. They take a tour of our working greenhouses and see plants at various stages of growth. All children learn the basics of caring for plants and pot their own plant to take home! The children also learn about all our farm animals and get to feed the sheep and the goats! Program includes a fun-filled hayride across our fields and through the Cattail Creek.

TOUR TIME: 1 1/2 hours
COST: $6.50/child, parent,& teacher**
GROUP MINIMUM: 20 (Don't have the group minimum? Click here)

The Wonderful World of Worms!

Ages 4 & up ( April 13 - August 17)

This is a great introduction for children to learn how they can make a difference in the environment by learning about composting and how easy it can be.

With this program the children will learn about earthworms and their role in composting. Children will see the entire cycle, from "yucky" food scraps or other organic wastes, to something that is pleasant to handle and is good for the soil. Contrary to the "out of sight, out of mind" philosophy, children will see organic wastes as potential resources rather than just as something "gross" to be thrown away and forgotten. Some of the points covered are:

• What are the body parts of an earthworm?
• What do earthworms eat?
• What is compost?
• How do you make a compost pile?
• How do earthworms improve our soil?
• They will see actual working worm composting bins!

This is a learning experience that includes DIRT, SLIMY WORMS, & BANANA PEELS! A hayride and animal feeding are also included! All children will take home a plant they pot using the special worm compost! (Hand washing stations are available)

We are excited to introduce information and habits that emphasize composting and reducing the amount of waste we produce to the next generation of decision makers.

TOUR TIME: 1 1/2 hours COST: $7.00/child, parent,& teacher**
GROUP MINIMUM: 20 (Don't have the group minimum? Click here)

Please bring!!; A few days before you come for this tour have each student begin to collect any of the following and place in a quart size zip lock bag (teacher may want to distribute zip lock bags to their students) As a class you could also begin to save lunch scraps from the children's lunches.

WHAT TO SAVE FOR WORM COMPOST:

• coffee grounds/tea bags/eggshells/banana peels/apple peels/any fruit peels OR
• potato peels, carrot scrapings/any vegetable peels & seeds/vegetable stalks/old vegetables or
•  fruit/biscuits/cereal/cheese/Pizza crust

Avoid citrus fruits, cakes or candy, meat or bones, oils.

Bring all that you collect to our farm the day of your tour so the children can see their "trash" feed the worms and then be turned into something of great value.

Nature Knowledge!

Ages 6 and up  April  13- August 17)

The children take a hayride to the nature trail where the guide then leads the children on the 1/2 mile trail beginning at the Cattail Creek. The children learn about trees and native plants and how to identify them. Also discussed is local wildlife, track identification, life cycles, food webs, erosion, pollution, and conservation. Again, as with all of our programs, we can adapt the information to the age group and grade level. The children return back to the barn and visit the farm animals and feed the sheep and the goats!

Optional: At the teacher's request, we can provide leaf I.D. sheets for the children to take home. Children will learn how to identify at least 5 major trees and key characteristic used in identifying the trees. The number of trees we identify increases with the age group. Please, request I.D. sheets when scheduling your tour.

TOUR TIME: 1 1/2 hours
Cost: $7.00/child/parents,& teachers **
GROUP MINIMUM: 20 (Don't have the group minimum? Click here)

Birds and Gourds!

Ages 5 to 12 (April 13 to August 17)

Also a great birthday, camp or after school project!

A farm guide will instruct the children on how to make their own working birdhouse out of a dried birdhouse gourd that we grow on our farm. We provide the children with instructions and all the supplies they need. As the project is drying the guide brings the children down to the farm animals, teaching about them and letting the children feed the sheep and the goats. Everyone also goes on a fun filled hayride across the fields and through the Cattail Creek!

TOUR TIME: 1 1/2 hours COST: $8.50/child, parent, & teacher**
GROUP MINIMUM: 15

Ponds, Puddles and Creeks!

Ages 5 and up (April 13 - August 17)

During this program the children take a hayride down to the Cattail Creek and using nets they go into the creek catching a variety of the creatures that live in and around the creek. Also discussed is the web of life that exists within the creek, the habitat, and the life cycle of amphibians and stream insects. The guide also takes time to identify the creatures the children caught and where they are in the food chain. The hayride brings the children back to the barn where they visit the farm animals and feed the sheep, goats and other animals! (This tour can be presented at many levels, from environmental intro. to sampling for older children.) All participants should wear water shoes or old tennis shoes!

TOUR TIME: 1 1/2 hours
COST: $7.00/child, parent, & teacher**
GROUP MINIMUM: 20(Don't have the group minimum? Click here)

Just Visiting!

Ages 2 to 3

Bring the kids to the farm to feed the animals and picnic on the farm. We provide the feed and show you how. Your guide is happy to make your visit a friendly, hands on learning experience for you and your children. See the goats, sheep, cattle, chickens and pigs!

Cost: $4.00 without a hayride
$5.00 with a narrated hayride

Orient Yourself

Ages 10 to adults

Always wanted to feel comfortable hiking, orienteering and enjoying the great outdoors? This one is for you. We'll teach you to use a map and compass, what to pack while hiking and then head off for a walk through the woods. We'll navigate through our compass course to reinforce your skills and build your hiking confidence. Excellent for families, small groups and all those hiking lovers. Your guide will answer your nature questions, farm history and flora questions.
Cost: varies depending on the level of instruction and length of time. This is an excellent outdoor family or small group event. Please, phone.

Group maximum: 15 people per guide

Super Size Your Field Trip

For an additional $3.50 per person you can choose a second educational program that will be added to your first. For Birds and Gourds, due to the cost of materials, we charge an additional $5.00 per person.

Game Time? Add on games to your program for $1.50 per person. That's some buddy boards, sack races and team building experiences.