every summer I went to a farm...

Day Program
ages 5 - 10 (our youngest students are at least 5 years and 10 months by July 1, 2025)

Each day is 8am - 3pm, with a friends/family gathering at 2pm on Friday

The Summer Day Program is an opportunity for younger children to make new friends, learn new skills, grow as individuals, and all while working and playing on a farm.

A typical day begins at 8am by doing morning chores: opening up the chickens, feeding the pigs and caring for our other farm animals. Our daily routine includes project blocks for farm work, community meetings to check in with each other, outside lunch together, and a quiet time to re-energize for more afternoon activities. Throughout this regular schedule are scattered special activities and adventures so that no two days are the same, and many students enjoy coming for multiple sessions during the summer.

Farm work plays an important role in our day. Throughout the week we work on farm fix-it projects, tend the garden, herd sheep, care for young chickens, hike in the forest, play in the stream and enjoy any number of fun games. It is a busy day, but one that is also paced appropriately for youngsters and comes with special moments of relaxation - whether during storytime after lunch or just sitting in the shade nibbling on some freshly picked carrots.

Program enrollment is kept deliberately small, and enables our staff to develop meaningful relationships with each individual. We also break into smaller groups by age to work on various tasks or activities. This allows younger students to work at their own pace, and for older students to take on more adventurous experiences. We also have plenty of shared activities and games that are fun for the whole group throughout the session.

Our facilities are clean, safe, and routinely inspected by the Buckland Board of Health and the FRCOG Building Inspection Program to meet health and safety codes. Farm staff live on-property and are also trained in First Aid and CPR.

Want to learn more? We would love to talk with you! Contact our registration team by emailing registration@redgatefarm.org or calling the Farm Office (413) 625-9503.