Submitted by Sandy Couvee
Spring will be here before we know it. At Chip-in Farm on Hartwell Road, this means baby goats, budding plants, and a chance for kid to experience farm life through our Farmer’s Helpers education programs.
Farmer’s Helpers is offering a range of farm education programs for preschoolers through 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 (https://www.bedfordma.gov/231/Recreation) will open at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 4. Here is a preview of the classes that will be offered at the Chip-in Farm:
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 as well as the pony and miniature horse, DeeDee and Clyde. When chores are done, it is time to play outside on the farm and in the surrounding fields and forest. This four-week session meets on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning on April 1.
Preschool Goat Yoga
Join this family yoga class featuring adorable baby goats. Classes will be taught by Julie Aronis of Little Elephant Yoga. Participants will move, stretch, explore animal poses, and pet and play with the baby goats. Classes meet throughout the spring and summer. Parent participation is required.
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 four-week session meets from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays for kids in grades K through 2 and from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for kids in grades 3 through 5. The programs beginning April 2 and 3, respectively.
Horse Course (Ages K-5)
This program features the farm’s friendly pony and miniature horse, DeeDee and Clyde. It begins with lessons on horse safety, how to approach a horse, grooming and leading pony rides. Kids then learn obstacle courses, horse walking, horse education, and pony cart driving. This four-week session meets from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays beginning April 4.
Spring Vacation Week (Ages K-5)
During this program, 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 four-day session meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday beginning April 16.
Summer Programs
Farmer’s Helpers offers full and half day programs throughout the summer with separate sessions for preschoolers and grades 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 four-day sessions meet rain or shine on Tuesdays through Fridays. Full day sessions meet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Half-day sessions meet from 9 a.m. to noon. Grades K-2 sessions start on June 25 and Grades 3-5 sessions start on July 16.
About Chip-in Farm
Chip-In Farm was founded in 1944 when Couvee family members “chipped in” to purchase a small farm in Bedford. 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 the Chip-in Farm strives to create a space of acceptance, community and connection to nature and the environment.
Learn more at https://chipinfarm.com/
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