Enrichment – Auerfarm

Learn, Explore, and Connect through Auerfarm’s Outdoor Enrichment Programs

Mark DiBella — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:47:35 +0000

Connecting Children to Nature

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, the importance of connecting children with nature cannot be overstated. Auerfarm, a 120-acre educational center in Bloomfield, Connecticut, is at the forefront of this movement, offering two exceptional enrichment programs that blend outdoor exploration with STEAM-based learning. These programs not only foster a deep connection with the natural world but also support crucial aspects of child development.

Our Programs

Morning Sprouts
Ages 3-7

Meeting weekly for three hours, this program is designed for younger children to learn about the outdoor world through their senses. With a small group size of up to 9 children, it provides a nurturing environment for early childhood development and nature exploration.

Mondays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
April 7, 2025 – June 2, 2025

Enroll Today

Afterschool Enrichment
Grades K- 5

This program runs every once a week offering students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on STEAM activities in an outdoor setting. Children explore the farm’s diverse environments, from gardens and barns to trails and play forests, all while developing critical thinking skills and environmental awareness.

Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
February 26, 2025 – May 28, 2025

Enroll Today

“Attending Auerfarm’s Sprouts program has allowed my sons to socialize with peers, learn about how plants and animals grow, and also has had such an impact on their sense of community.”

– Enrichment Parent

Students explore wildlife and biodiversity in a stream.
(Photo/Cristina Santillan)

The Importance of Nature-Based Enrichment

Studies have demonstrated that exposure to green spaces and outdoor learning environments can significantly enhance children’s cognitive abilities. A Norwegian study found that children who spend time outdoors have better concentration spans and improved short-term memory. This cognitive boost is attributed to nature’s restorative effects on attention processes, which can help prevent symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity.

Our Objectives

Establish a better connection to the environment

Connect with others in a unique setting

Develop independence in self-help skills

Develop a positive self-image and a feeling that “I can do it!”

Participate in group activities

Strengthen communication skills

Learn respect for others and the outdoors

Explore, create, and express themselves comfortably

Children identify, remove, and inspect seeds from a sunflower exercising gross motor skills and exploring natural curiosities. (Photo/Jonni Marshall)

Embracing Nature-Based Learning

Auerfarm’s 120-acre property serves as a living classroom, offering a diverse range of environments for children to explore and learn from. From hands-on experiences with farm animals to observing the changing seasons in the gardens, every aspect of the farm becomes an opportunity for discovery and growth.

The programs are designed to challenge children while encouraging them to explore their interests and express themselves freely. This approach not only enhances academic learning but also supports emotional growth, making it a comprehensive educational experience.

In an era where screen time often dominates children’s lives, programs like those offered at Auerfarm provide a crucial counterbalance. They offer a return to the fundamentals of experiential learning, allowing children to engage all their senses in the learning process. This holistic approach to education not only improves academic outcomes but also nurtures well-rounded individuals who are curious, confident, and connected to the world around them.

As we look to the future, the importance of environmental education and nature connection cannot be overstated. Auerfarm’s enrichment programs are more than just after-school activities; they are investments in our children’s future and the health of our planet.

Join The Auerfarm Community

If you’re inspired by the potential of nature-based learning and want to give your child the gift of a truly enriching educational experience, now is the time to act. Enrollment for Auerfarm’s After-School S.T.E.M. Enrichment Program and Sprouts Program is currently open.

Enroll Today!

Don’t miss this opportunity to nurture your child’s curiosity, creativity, and connection to nature. Visit www.auerfarm.org/enrichment-programs/ today to learn more and register your child for an adventure in learning that will last a lifetime.

Join the Auerfarm community and be part of a movement that’s shaping the future, one curious mind at a time.

For any inquiries, please contact: csantillan@auerfarm.org or (860) 242-7144 ext. 4

S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club At Auerfarm Opens Enrollment for 2025 Sessions

Mark DiBella — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 21:34:47 +0000

BLOOMFIELD, Conn., January 9, 2025— The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm is offering open enrollment for the afterschool S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club weekly on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 5:30 pm for students in grades K – 6.

The Auerfarm S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club was designed upon the request of local parents seeking more social-emotional opportunities for their children during after-school hours. The S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club will allow children to spend time on the farm expanding their knowledge and understanding of nature, science, agriculture, and the arts by doing STEAM-based, (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) hands-on activities with trained Auerfarm educators. Outdoor learning in a small group setting provides a safe and interactive way to engage learners with varied interests.

During the winter months, the enrichment students delve into the fascinating behaviors of animals and plants in the winter landscape, while also discovering how the farm prepares for spring. Join the Auerfarm S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club for an engaging learning experience that connects students to science, agriculture, and the natural environment.

The Winter session begins on Wednesday, January 9, 2025, and runs for six weeks. Interested families may still enroll after a session has begun at a prorated cost. Spring session begins February 26th. Visit www.auerfarm.org/enrichment-programs/ for more information.

More Info on STEM Enrichment

ABOUT AUERFARM:
Auerfarm inspires lifelong learning through hands-on, interactive, and innovative experiences that explore agriculture, science, and the environment. Students, families, and visitors gain scientific knowledge and a heightened appreciation for the world around us.

Beatrice Fox Auerbach’s children generously donated the farm to 4-H with an agreement to maintain the property as an open space, providing a community resource where children and families can learn about and enjoy the ambiance of the farm. The 120-acre property in the northwest section of Bloomfield, Connecticut was deeded to the non-profit 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm Inc., (Auerfarm) in 1976. For more information visit Auerfarm, and follow Auerfarm on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Calendar Listing

Auerfarm. Jan – May, 2025. Wednesdays at 3:30 pm. Join the Auerfarm S.T.E.M. Enrichment Club for an engaging learning experience that connects students to science, agriculture, and the natural environment. 158 Auer Farm Rd. Bloomfield, CT. 06002 For more information call (860) 242-7144 or www.auerfarm.org.

Halloween DIY: Jack-o-Lanterns by Chickens

Mark DiBella — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 17:20:09 +0000

Fall 2024
Auerfarm

Save time, stress, and mess this Halloween season by leaving the pumpkin carving to the chickens. This fun and inventive way to DIY your fall decor has been trending over the last few years and a few weeks ago our enrichment kids got to try it firsthand!

A semi-carved pumpkin ready for the chickens!

The Auerfarm hens finish carving a pumpkin started by the enrichment kids.

Start by outlining your desired face on the pumpkin. Then help the birds out by starting the carving process so they know where to follow. Then toss the pumpkin to the coop and let the hens do the rest!

The enrichment students learned that pumpkins can be a good source of vitamins and minerals for hens and that chickens can have trouble breaking through the outer rind which is why you want to start it off for them.

The kids chose a simple smile design and started by shaving away the outer rind of the mouth and eyes. Then they walked up to the chicken coop and placed the pumpkin in the coop where the hens could access it.

Eyes widened and students giggled as they watched the birds flock to the orange fruit and begin “carving” the pumpkin in the designated areas.

After some time, a jack-o-lantern was born.

The finished pumpkin by the Auerfarm enrichment kids with the help of the chickens!