Farm & Forest School
Once-a-Week Nature Programs for Ages 5-13
What is Farm &
Forest School?
At Farm & Forest School, children ages 5-13 practice problem solving, communication, critical thinking, and compassion through hands-on, play-based outdoor learning.
Sessions are conducted primarily outdoors. Rain and snow don’t disrupt our day since most of our activities can take place no matter the weather. Some special activities are even reserved just for rainy/snowy days, so we get excited for precipitation! Indoor space is available in case of severe storms and a wood-fired warming tent is used in the winter.
Farm & Forest School is open to any child, ages 5-13 who is curious, independent, and excited to be outside. While traditionally thought of as a program for homeschoolers, we welcome all students with weekday availability to join us.
Each term of Farm & Forest School will follow seasonal themes. Topics covered may include weather, plant and animal identification, water cycle, food chains, survival and homesteading skills, herbalism, foraging, and gardening. Adult-led activities, paired with child-led forest freeplay time create the perfect environment for social, emotional, physical, and academic growth.
Each day includes two hours of facilitated educational activities. Lessons are taught in fun, hands-on ways that get kids actively engaged in the learning process. Most lessons involve games, getting messy, and lots of exploring. Specific activities and teaching methods will vary for different age groups.
Registration Details:
Days:
6-Week Terms, year round, once-a-week on Tue. or Wed.*
4-Week Mini-Terms, once-a-week on Fri. or Sat.*
*Children may only attend one day a week UNLESS signed up for both a 6-Week Term and 4-Week Mini-Term happening consecutively.
6-Week Terms:
Term 1: Sept. 17/18 - Oct. 22/23/25, 2024
Term 2: Oct. 29/30 - Dec. 10/11, 2024 (No sessions Nov. 26 or 27)
Term 3: Jan. 7/8 - Feb. 11/12, 2025
Term 4: Feb. 18/19 - Mar. 25/26, 2025
Term 5: Apr. 1/2 - May 13/14, 2025 (No sessions Apr. 22 or 23)
4-Week Mini-Terms:
Fall 1: Sept. 20/21 - Oct. 11/12, 2024
Fall 2: Oct. 18/19 - Nov. 8/9, 2024
Winter: Feb. 7/8 - Feb. 28/Mar. 1, 2025
Spring: Mar. 28/29 - Apr. 18/19, 2025
Time:
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ages:
5-13 years old. Groups will be divided by age (typically ages 5-7, 8-10, and 11-13). Please contact us before registering if you’d like to discuss placement in a group that matches your child’s social/emotional development better than grouping by age. Teens ages 14+ may register as apprentices to learn and assist with younger children.
Cost:
$300 per 6-week term. $200 per 4-week mini-term. A $50 per child deposit is due at the time of registration for each term. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. 10% discount for siblings registered for the same term. Financial assistance is available for all youth programs. Requests can be made on the registration form. Final payment is due two weeks prior to the start of each term (see Farm & Forest School FAQs for specific due dates). Cancellations made with at least 2-weeks notice are eligible for a refund, minus the deposit. Cancellations with less than 2-weeks notice are ineligible for a refund.
Upcoming 6-Week Terms (Tuesday/Wednesday):
Sunbury Urban Farm's 6-Week Farm & Forest School terms take place from Sept. to May each school year. Many children participate in Farm & Forest School for the entire school year, while other families pick just one or two terms that to fit into their homeschool plan. Each term begins with icebreakers, name games, and intro activities so new students can feel comfortable starting at any point during the year. Pick one day, Tuesday or Wednesday to attend.
If your child will be turning 8 during the school year, we'll discuss whether you'd like them to start the year in the 8 year old group or stay in the 5-7 year old group for the entire school year. In order to maintain consistency and routine, children will stick with the same group for the entire school year. 13-year-olds may choose to finish the school year after their 14th birthday or transition to a teen apprentice role.
Nuts to You
Investigate woodland ecology with activities inspired by the novel Nuts to You, by Lynne Rae Perkins. Learn about food chains, animal adaptations, plant identification, and local Ohio wildlife through games and imaginative activities. At home reading of the book is optional, but can enhance learning.
Sept. 17/18 - Oct. 22/23, 2024
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Upcoming 4-Week Mini-Terms (Friday/Saturday):
Mini-terms are great for first time attendees, experienced Explorers who want to participate in more than one day a week (you can attend both a 6-week session and a 4-week session that happen concurrently), as well as summer campers who attend traditional school but still want to participate in year-round farm programming. Pick one day, Friday or Saturday to attend.
Wild Robot
Imagine you are stranded on an island, the only creature of your kind… Can you learn to communicate with and befriend the wild inhabitants the island? Can you learn to survive and thrive in your new island home? Using the novel The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown as our inspiration, we’ll explore habitats, animal adaptations, survival skills, as well as how to celebrate differences and be a good friend. At home reading of the book is optional, but can enhance learning.
4-Week Mini-Term Begins Sept. 20/21
