Farm & Forest School
Once-a-Week Nature Programs for Ages 5-13
What is Farm &
Forest School?
At Farm & Forest School, children ages 5-13 practice problem solving, communication, critical thinking, and compassion through hands-on, play-based outdoor learning. Farm & Forest School is open to any child who is curious, independent, and excited to be outside all day.
Sessions are conducted primarily outdoors. Rain and snow don’t disrupt our day since most of our activities can take place no matter the weather. Some special activities are even reserved just for rainy/snowy days, so we get excited for precipitation! Indoor space is available in case of severe storms and a wood-fired warming tent is used in the winter.
Each 6-week term Farm & Forest School will follow seasonal themes. Topics covered may include weather, plant and animal identification, water cycle, food chains, survival and homesteading skills, herbalism, foraging, and gardening. Meanwhile, 4-week mini-terms focus on specific skills or topics (see section below for this year's themes).
Each day includes two hours of facilitated educational activities. Lessons are taught in fun, hands-on ways that get kids actively engaged in the learning process. Most lessons involve games, getting messy, and lots of exploring. Specific activities and teaching methods will vary for different age groups. Adult-led activities, paired with child-led forest freeplay time create the perfect environment for social, emotional, physical, and academic growth.
NEW THIS YEAR: Teens ages 13-16 now have their own program designed just for them! Teen Terms will happen on Saturdays, concurrent with 4-week mini-terms. While the program happens at the same time, teens follow their own schedule and activities. Teen Terms have extended project time instead of Forest Freeplay.
2025-2026 Registration Details:
Days:
6-Week Terms, year round, once-a-week on Tue. or Fri.*
4-Week Mini-Terms, once-a-week on Sat.*
*Children may only attend one day a week UNLESS signed up for both a 6-Week Term and 4-Week Mini-Term happening consecutively.
6-Week Terms:
Term 1: Sept. 23/26 - Oct. 28/31, 2025
Term 2: Nov. 4/7 - Dec. 16/19, 2025 (No sessions Nov. 25 or 28)
Term 3: Jan. 6 - Feb. 10, 2026 (only Tue. option this term)
Term 4: Feb. 24/27 - Mar. 31/Apr. 3, 2026
Term 5: Apr. 7/10 - May 12/15, 2026
4-Week Mini-Terms:
Fall 1: Sept. 27 - Oct. 18, 2025
Fall 2: Nov. 1-22, 2025
Winter: Feb. 7-28, 2026
Spring 1: Mar. 7-28, 2026
Spring 2: Apr. 4-25, 2026
Time:
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ages:
5-13 years old. Groups will be divided by age (typically ages 5-7, 8-10, and 11-13). Please contact us before registering if you’d like to discuss placement in a group that matches your child’s social/emotional development better than grouping by age. Teens ages 14+ may register as apprentices to learn and assist with younger children (half price).
NEW THIS YEAR: Ages 13-16 have a select few Teen Terms occurring on Saturdays. See below for more info.
Cost:
$300 per 6-week term. $200 per 4-week mini-term. A $50 per child deposit is due at the time of registration for each term. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. 10% discount for siblings registered for the same term. Financial assistance is available for all youth programs. Requests can be made on the registration form. Final payment is due two weeks prior to the start of each term (see Farm & Forest School FAQs for specific due dates). Cancellations made with at least 2-weeks notice are eligible for a refund, minus the deposit. Cancellations with less than 2-weeks notice are ineligible for a refund.
Upcoming 6-Week Terms (Tuesdays/Fridays):
Sunbury Urban Farm's 6-Week Farm & Forest School terms take place from Sept. to May each school year. Many children participate in Farm & Forest School for the entire school year, while other families pick just one or two terms that to fit into their homeschool plan. Each term begins with icebreakers, name games, and intro activities so new students can feel comfortable starting at any point during the year. Pick one day, Tuesday or Friday to attend.
If your child will be turning 8 or 11 during the school year, we'll discuss whether you'd like them to start the year in the older group or stay in the younger group for the entire school year. In order to maintain consistency and routine, children will stick with the same group for the entire school year. 13-year-olds may choose to finish the school year after their 14th birthday or transition to a teen apprentice role.
Autumn Explorers
As the leaves turn colors and begin to fall, kids will dive into seasonal changes with gardening, nature observations, and play-based inquiry. Journaling, sketching, STEM, and literacy activities connect daily adventures to the cycles of the earth. Each week brings new hands-on fun as we explore the the gifts of autumn with all of our senses.
Sept. 23/26 - Oct. 28/31, 2025
Upcoming 4-Week Mini-Terms (Saturdays):
Mini-terms are great for first time attendees, experienced explorers who want to participate in more than one day a week (you can attend both a 6-week session and a 4-week session that happen concurrently), as well as summer campers who attend traditional school but still want to participate in year-round farm programming. Where 6-week terms follow the seasons and are purposedly left flexible to allow for activity adjustments based on the weather and wonder of participants, 4-week mini-terms have specific themes designed to inspire children to delve into topics that interest them.
Autumn Apothecary
Join us in a magical kids' program where nature, stories, and creativity come together. Children will learn the basics of herbalism—harvesting fall herbs, blending their own teas, and exploring simple plant remedies. Along the way, they'll discover folklore and seasonal traditions behind a variety of herbs with crafts, storytelling, and hands-on projects. It’s an enchanting autumn adventure where young apothecaries grow their knowledge and connection to the earth.
Sept. 27 - Oct. 18, 2025
Upcoming Teen Terms (4-Weeks, Saturdays):
Teens have been asking, and here it is - Teen Terms! In these 4-week sessions, teens ages 13-16 will delve deep into topics that interest them. This is time for teens to explore, laugh, and play in a teen-centered space. (Younger kids might be at the farm too, however Teen Terms are run completely separate from the kids.) Instead of Forest Freeplay, teens will have project time to experiment, create, and continue exploring the topic at hand.
Teens ages 14 and up who are interested in leadership opportunities are also invited to consider signing up as a Teen Apprentice for any of the above 4-week and 6-week Farm & Forest School sessions.
Canning Camp
Celebrate the harvest season at Canning Camp, a four-week, hands-on program for teens, ages 13-16. Each Saturday, campers will explore the science of food preservation while harvesting seasonal vegetables and turning them into delicious creations like salsa, sauce, jam, and relish. Along the way, they’ll build kitchen confidence, learn the “why” behind canning methods, and deepen their connection to local food. It’s a flavorful mix of fall produce, food science, and farm-fresh fun!
Sept. 27 - Oct. 18, 2025
