Farmer’s Helpers at Chip-in Farm is pleased to offer a variety of spring programs for children to explore, learn, and experience how farmers and animals welcome spring on a working farm!
Here is a listing of our programs, organized by age group. There is a registration link at the end of each class description. For classes offered via Bedford Recreation, registration opens on August 26 at 8pm – you do not need to be a resident to sign up.
Preschool Programs
Little Farmers (Ages 2.5 – 5)
Little Farmers learn about farming through stories, games, crafts, and real farm work. They also help care for goats, cows and our miniature horses! When chores are done, we play outside on the farm and in the surrounding fields and forest.
Classes meet from 9 – 12, one morning a week, for 4 weeks. The first session starts the week of March 3, with new sessions continuing through April and May. This is a drop-off class, but parents & caregivers are welcome to join in.
Register HERE
Farm Drop-ins (Ages 2.5 – 5)
Join the farmers to feed the animals their breakfast! Let’s work together to give them hay, grain, and fresh water. And after the chores are done? Explore all that the farm, fields and forest have to offer! Get a quick look at what our longer programs are like in a short, hour-long snapshot. Be sure to dress warmly as we will be outside and in the barn for the entire hour. We recommend hats, gloves, boots and snow pants!
Classes meet on Saturdays in March from 9 – 10am starting March 5. Register for one class in the series or all 5!
Register HERE
Grades K – 5 Programs
Hired Hands (Grades K – 2 and 3 – 5)
In this after-school program kids 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!
Classes are 2 hours long and meet weekly after school, rain or shine, for 4 weeks. Grade K – 2 sessions meet on Tuesdays from 4 – 6pm starting March 4 and Grade 3 – 5 sessions meet on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 5:30pm starting March 5. Additional sessions are offered in April and May.
Registration is currently open for the March sessions and will opens for the April and May sessions on March 3 at 8:00pm. Register HERE
Professional Day Program, Grades K – 3
During this “No School Day” program on March 14 children will participate in farm chores such as feeding and caring for the animals and learn about farm life through hands-on activities, crafts and games.
The program meets from 9:00 – 3:00. Participants should wear work clothes and old sneakers or boots and prepare to get dirty! Bring a snack and lunch. We’ll meet rain or shine!
Register HERE
April Vacation Week, Grades K – 5
Children will help care for the animals each day before we embark on our nature exploration. We will spend the majority of the day outdoor and in the barn so please be sure to dress for the weather, including work clothes and old sneakers or boots. Children should bring lunch and a snack.
This 4-day session meets on Tuesday – Friday, April 22 – 25, from 9am – 3pm.
Registration opens March 3 at 8:00pm. Register HERE
The Horse Course
This is a class for grades K – 5. It begins with horse safety, how to approach a horse, grooming, leading pony rides and horse decorating. We then learn obstacle courses, horse walking, horse education, and pony cart driving.
Classes consist of 4 – 2 hour long sessions. Weekly after school sessions begin March 6, from 3:30 – 5:30. There is also an April vacation week session – April 22 – 25, from 3:30 – 5:30 PM.
Registration is currently open for the March sessions and will opens for the April and May sessions on March 3 at 8:00pm. Register HERE
About Farmer’s Helpers at Chip-In Farm
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. Visit our farm store’s website for information about our locally sourced products, recipes and nutrition facts.
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 family to life on the farm!
