Available Programs

OVERVIEW
We have 3 Sprouts sessions this year, one on Mondays, one on Wednesdays and one on Fridays. All programs run from 9am – 12pm. Our Sprouts program is designed for children ages 3-8. It is an educational program with a small group size that encourages young people to learn about the outdoor world through their senses, sharing the experience with their peers.

A professional farm-based educator leads projects that incorporate art, science, cooking, animal care, and gardening time. Experimenting, creating, and learning can happen in a slightly more structured manner in a small group. It is important to learn the joys of cooperating, sharing, taking turns through play, and experiencing fine and gross motor skills through projects.

SCHEDULE
Children are dropped off in the Welcome Center at 9:00 AM. The Welcome Center is adjacent to the farm parking lot. Once everyone has arrived, we head to our classroom to drop off belongings. We will gather together for a brief morning group time, read a story, and talk about what we will be doing.

We head off to explore various areas of the farm. A hands-on project is offered in each class, which may take place on a nature walk or at a specific location. The majority of the class is held outdoors throughout the year. We do have an indoor classroom to use for inclement weather and specific projects.

The group will take a snack break either outside or in the classroom and have an opportunity for the children to socialize and share what they are learning. At 11:45 AM, we collectively clean up whatever we have been working on and gather our belongings. We meet parents at the Welcome Center at noon for pick-up. Families are welcome to bring a picnic lunch or plan a playdate on the farm once Sprouts’ class is done for the day.

OBJECTIVES
Establish the love of learning
Separate from parents comfortably
Develop independence in self-help skills — dressing, personal hygiene, and care for belongings
Develop a positive self-image and a feeling that “I can do it!”
Learn to participate in group activities
Learn to cooperate and use words to express feelings and solve problems
Practice good manners and respect for others and the outdoors
Begin to develop good listening and recall skills
Strengthen gross motor skills through climbing, jumping, running, etc.
Enhance fine motor coordination by manipulating small objects:
Explore, create, and express themselves comfortably
Appreciate our natural environment
Play, Play, Play!

Program dates are as follows:
Mondays Fall:
September 14, 21, 28
October 5, 19, 26
November 10, 17, 24
December 1

Wednesdays Fall:
September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
October 7, 14, 21
November 4, 18

Fridays Fall:
September 11, 18, 25
October 7, 14, 21
November 6, 13, 20

For Winter and Spring dates, please contact either Mark DiBella at mdibella@auerfarm.org or Jonni Marshall at jmarshall@auerfarm.org.

OVERVIEW

Farm & Family Circle is a 10-week child and caregiver enrichment program that is well suited for children from birth to 10 years old while also welcoming younger and older siblings. This program offers the opportunity for families to come together as a community to explore natural cycles and seasonal rhythms on the farm through experiential learning, creative expression and play.

SCHEDULE

The program takes place on Tuesday afternoons from 12:30 – 2:30. Each session we move through a daily rhythm that begins with a shared meal, story, or song around a fire or candle. From there, we set off to explore the farm which can include tending to the animals, exploring the play forest, gardening, tractor rides, and more. Each session includes the opportunity to participate in a process over product sensory art experience. We prioritize the children’s interest and needs over any set schedule.

OBJECTIVES

Multi-age outdoor communities create an inclusive and personalized environment for learning and development. Children have the unique opportunity to see the value of each individual person as a learner, teacher and teammate. Multi-age learning on the farm is a great way to not only nurture stewardship of the land but to practice empathy and leadership in meaningful ways.

Program dates are as follows:
Fall:
September 15, 22, 29
October 6, 20, 27
November 10, 17, 24
December 1

Winter:
December 8, 15, 22
January 5, 12, 19, 26
February 2, 9, 23

Spring
March 9, 16, 30
April 6, 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25

Siblings under 1 are free of charge. Siblings under 2 are $100. Any other sibling are $200/ea. Sibling tickets are only available if you have purchased a full price ticket.

OVERVIEW

This program runs for 10 weeks, on Wednesday’s from 3:30pm – 5:30PM and is for ages 5-10. Fall, Winter, and Spring—this immersive program connects children to the rhythms of the farm and the natural world through hands-on exploration, creative expression, and outdoor learning. A professional educator who encourages experiential, screen-free learning.

Farm and Forest is a small-group, multi- age community that encourages curiosity, creativity and confidence.

The group will take a snack break either outside or in the classroom and have an opportunity to socialize and share what they are learning. Towards the end of the class they are encouraged to help with a collaborative cleanup ritual. This practice encourages children to see themselves as active caretakers of their surroundings, instilling a deep-seated respect for both the environment and their peers.

SCHEDULE

Each week the group meets at the Welcome Center (adjacent to the parking lot ) at 3:30 PM. They then head off to the classroom where they will meet to discuss the plan for the day. Most of the activities lead to outdoor exploration including small hikes, time in the Play Forest, the barns and the gardens.

OBJECTIVES
Establish the love of learning
Separate from parents comfortably
Develop independence in self-help skills — dressing, personal hygiene, and care for belongings
Develop a positive self-image and a feeling that “I can do it!”
Learn to participate in group activities
Learn to cooperate and use words to express feelings and solve problems
Practice good manners and respect for others and the outdoors
Begin to develop good listening and recall skills
Strengthen gross motor skills through climbing, jumping, running, etc.
Enhance fine motor coordination by manipulating small objects:
Explore, create, and express themselves comfortably
Appreciate our natural environment
Play, Play, Play!

Program dates are as follows:
Fall:
September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
October 7, 14, 21
November 4, 18
December 1

Winter:
December 2, 16
January 6, 13, 20, 27
February 3, 10, 17, 24

Spring
March 3, 17, 31
April 7, 21, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26