Spring will be here before we know it! At Chip-in Farm this means baby goats, budding plants and a chance for kids to experience farm life through our Farmer’s Helpers education programs.
This year, Farmer’s Helpers is offering a range of programs for preschoolers – Grade 5 designed to help strengthen their minds and bodies through hands-on experiences with animals and nature.
These farm programs include age-appropriate activities to teach kids life skills about hard work, caring for others, and working together. Healthy risk taking is encouraged, to allow kids to challenge themselves and accomplish new goals in a safe environment. Something as simple as climbing a fence can enable growth of a child’s gross motor skills, self-confidence, and problem solving!
Program registration through the Bedford Recreation Department website opens in mid-February. You don’t need to be a Bedford resident to sign up. Here is a preview of our spring and summer programs:
Spring Programs
Spring Little Farmers (Ages 2.5 – 5)
Little Farmers learn about farming through stories, games, crafts, and real farm work. They help care for baby goats, cows and our pony and miniature horse, DeeDee and Clyde! When chores are done, we play outside on the farm and in the surrounding fields and forest. The 4 week session meets on Mondays from 9am – 12am.
Session 1: 4/01 – 4/29 (no class 4/15)
Session 2: 5/06-6/03 (no class 5/27)
Spring Hired Hands (Sessions for ages K-2 & 3-5)
In this after-school program kids learn about the farm through hands-on activities, crafts, games, stories, and cooking projects. Kids should wear work clothes and old sneakers or boots and be prepared to get dirty! This 4 week session meets on Tuesday from 4pm – 6pm for Gr K-2 and on Wednesday from 3:30pm – 5:30pm for Gr 3 – 5. weekly for 4 weeks.
Grades K-2:
Session 1: 4/02-4/30 (no class 4/16)
Session 2: 5/07-5/28
Grades 3-5:
Session 1: 4/03-5/01 (no class 4/17)
Session 2: 5/8-5/29
Horse Course (Ages K-5)
This program features our friendly our pony and miniature horse, DeeDee and Clyde! It begins with horse safety, how to approach a horse, grooming and leading pony rides. We then learn obstacle courses, horse walking, horse education, and pony cart driving. This 4 week session meets on Thursdays from 3:30pm – 5:30pm.
Session 1 – 4/04– 5/02 (no class 4/18)
Session 2: 5/9-5/30
Spring Vacation Week (Ages K-5)
Kids will participate in age-appropriate farm chores such as feeding and caring for the animals and searching for chicken eggs. They will also learn about the farm through hands-on activities, crafts, games, stories and cooking projects. Wear work clothes and old sneakers or boots and be prepared to get dirty! Bring a snack and lunch. This 4-day session meets on Tuesday – Friday from 9am – 3pm.
One Session – 4/16 – 4/19
Summer Programs
Farmer’s Helpers offers full and half day programs throughout the summer, with separate sessions for ages K-2 and 3-5. Kids will participate in farm chores such as feeding and caring for the animals and searching for chicken eggs. They will also learn about the farm through hands-on activities, crafts, games, stories and cooking projects.
Wear work clothes and old sneakers or boots and be prepared to get dirty! These 4-day sessions meet rain or shine on Tuesday – Friday. Full day sessions meet from 9am – 3pm, Half-day sessions meet from 9am – 12pm. Bring a snack for the half day, and a snack and lunch for the full day program.
Grades K-2
Session 1: 6/25-6/28
Session 2: 7/9-7/12
Session 3: 8/13-8/16
Session 4: 8/20-8/23
Grades 3-5
Session 1: 7/16-7/19
Session 2: 7/25-7/28
Session 3: 7/30-8/2
Chip-In Farm was founded in 1944 when Couvee family members “chipped in” to purchase a small farm in Bedford, MA. Today, a visit brings you back to a simpler time when food was local, and farms were family run.
Farmer’s Helpers Community Education Programs at Chip-in Farm strive to create a space of acceptance, community and connection to nature and the environment. We look forward to introducing your kids to life on the farm!
