the farm day program
Farm Day is a once-a-week program that offers families the opportunity to spend time together learning about nature and farm life. Our farm is a diverse ecosystem, with animals, plants, and pollinators that all rely on each other for the health of the whole. The farm relies on people, too: caring for the farm keeps it resilient and productive. In return, the farm gives us food, honey, fiber, and plant materials, which we process and use in ways that allow us to live more sustainably. For us, it’s a joy to find a balance with nature in a place so beautiful! The farm is an ideal environment for teaching skills that promote self-care, self-reliance, and environmental stewardship.
Weekday sessions are ideal for home school families. Families can sign up for either a standard day (9:30am to 11:30am) or an extended day that includes a farm lunch (9:30am to 1:00pm). Lunch is an opportunity to collect or forage ingredients and learn cooking skills and techniques. Each session includes farm observations, interactions with animals, and an activity or craft. These activities change with the seasons, but may include: honey processing, candle-making, seeding and harvesting, composting, canning and food preservation, animal care. sewing and needlework, distilling plant essences, and more. Learn more about our activities here.
Farm Day is open to children between the ages of 4 and 9 and a parent or guardian. Please note that the parent or guardian attends each session! Shared parent/child experience is an important part of our program. In order to make sure that each child gets individual attention, there is a maximum of three children per session.
Questions? Please write cecelia@summerdog.com.
Registration
At registration, families select the day of the week they would like to attend (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday), and the number of days per month with included lunches. Registration is for a three-month, 12-week season. The winter season runs from December 1 – February 28, spring from March 1 – May 31, summer from June 1 – August 31, and fall from September 1 – November 30. Charges are prorated for families that register mid-month or mid-season. Families can pay the balance in its entirety or be billed on the first of each month, with the balance due on receipt. Families that register mid-month will be billed up front for the first partial month.
COSTS
- A morning session (9:30am to 11:30am) is $36 per child.
- An extended day with lunch included is an additional $18 for each child and adult.
- A 10% sibling discount is applied for families with more than one child in the program.
- Costs are computed for a 3 month, 12-week season. Families can specify the number of lunches per month they would like to include.
- As an example, the cost per season for one child with no lunches is $396.
Cancellations, absences, and refunds
Please provide 24 hour notice if you need to skip a day, and we can either refund the day or schedule a make-up.
Families may cancel at any time, The unused balance will be refunded. Summerdog LLC reserves the right to remove a child from the program at any time. Any unused balance will be refunded.
What to bring
It’s critical to arrive prepared for the farm! Kids that are comfortable enjoy themselves more, especially outside. Here are the most important items.
BASICS:
- Closed shoes with a sturdy sole year round – no flip flops or sandals, please!
- Work gloves make dirty, prickly tasks safer and more pleasant. We have a few extra pairs at the farm, but it can be nice for kids to have their own.
- Clothes that can get wet/dirty/paint-splattered.
- The Colorado essentials – water bottle, sun block, and hat with a brim. Long sleeves and long pants in light fabrics provide protection from the sun, spiky grasses, and insects.
FOR WEATHER EXTREMES:
- High, waterproof boots for rainy, muddy, and snowy weather.
- Extra layers for cold weather, along with warm hats and gloves. Kids should be able to be outside for an hour without feeling cold.
EXTRAS:
- A favorite snack or book from home.
AllergIES and dietary restrictions
The farm and farmhouse are home to a host of allergens that are hard to control or avoid. These include furry and feathery animals, stinging insects, and hay-fever-inducing plants.
We do not eat the animals that we raise on the farm, but we we eat our honey and eggs. We are happy to provide vegetarian and vegan meals, but we are not set up to be gluten-free or nut-free. We ask parents to consider these factors in deciding whether our program is a good fit.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY CONDItION
As a condition of participating in the Farm Day program, families must sign a release of liability waiver.