Educational Programs

garlic harvest with Belovs
Photo by Will Cleland

Jinny arranging flowers with girls
Photo by Will Cleland

A diversified organic farm with vegetable gardens, open fields, woods, and streams is an ideal setting for learning about the natural world around us. Meet some of the creatures who share our planet, discover how food is grown, and learn to care for our world while eating, sleeping, working, and playing out-of-doors with others.

The talented staff at Four Springs Farm is happy to assist you in developing a custom program that meets the needs of your family or group while camping here on the farm. The farm is currently working on developing a Farm School program for High School students which will hopefully be launched in 2011. Below are two sample programs for youngsters to get your planning started and some helpful General Information

Staff

Kate Reimanis

Program Director for Four Springs Farm, Campground and Learning Center

Four Springs Farm is fortunate to have Kate Reimanis in the position of Program Director for its Campground and Learning Center.

Kate is the mother of two young children, who along with her husband Erik, recently purchased a farm in South Strafford, Vermont, after actively working with young people of all ages in outdoor settings.

Kate has a Masters degree from Antioch College in Science and Environmental Education, and received her K-8 Teaching Certification in the state of New Hampshire.

She attended Syracuse University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. After college she worked for two years with challenged New Jersey youth, leading camping and wilderness trips for Project USE (Urban Suburban Environments). Kate gained valuable experience working on three organic farms before spending seven years at The Farm School in Athol, Massachusetts, in several capacities — as program director, dairy manager, and head of the garden and maple operation. The Farm School brings middle school youth from Boston and other urban areas to the farm for intensive five-day experiences. There, Kate gained extensive experience as a leader and organizer while surrounded by a highly skilled group of educators.

Kate brings an energetic and open approach to farm activities, that incorporates simple aspects of nature into the larger picture of food production and the environment. Her ability to excite young people’s interest in the natural world around them is enhanced by her spontaneity — which makes full use of each learning opportunity in a way that ideally suits the individuals or group.

As Program Director at Four Springs Farm, Kate works with farmers and naturalists, in conjunction with guests who request group programs, in order to creatively use the farm as an active learning experience. She also coordinates all of the other events and activities Four Springs Farm offers to the public.

Sample Program #1: Custom Farm-tastic Week

Four days and three nights

Vacation with a group of families on a working organic vegetable farm with a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Crops will be growing in the garden, the greenhouse may have young seedlings growing, and poultry will be out on pasture. Learn about the fields, farm, and woods environment, help around the farm, discover the mysteries of your “special spot” on the farm, and enjoy getting to know other folks. Four Springs’ farmers, guest naturalists, and neighboring farmers fill the days with fun educational programs and the evenings with relaxing activities.

Program Notes

Sample Program #2: Three Seasons Program

Two days and nights, three times during the season

Three Hens
Photo by Geoff Hansen

This type of special three-visit program could be designed to bring families to the farm in three seasons — spring, summer, and fall — for exciting programs designed to entertain, educate, and energize kids and parents alike. The program schedule might be similar to the sample outlined in the Farm-tastic Week. Participants arrive in the afternoon on the first day and stay through the middle of the third day. Time is spent playing in the fields and the forest, observing the changing of the seasons in the garden, and at the “special spot” each participant chooses their first day on the farm and returns to each visit. Four Springs’ farmers and guest naturalists fill the days with fun educational programs and the evenings with relaxing activities.

Program Notes

General Information

Be prepared for cool nights and wet places. Biting bugs are very few, but the sun can be strong, so sunscreen and hats are recommended.

Pack camping gear, tents, work clothes, rain gear, hats, boots and toiletries.

Also bring cameras, binoculars, compasses, field guides, musical instruments, kites, journals, books, and sketch pads.

Supervision of Children • Our programs are designed for adults and children grouped together. Adults need to accompany children of all ages to all activities, including farm chores. Childcare is not provided.

Meals • The farm does not serve meals but they can help you in several ways: You can eat individually at the camp sites or together making use of our picnic pavilion which includes a counter, sink, tables and large fire pit. You can purchase vegetables, fruit, eggs, baked goods, jams and chicken from the farm (even pick you own with one of the farmers). You may also arrange for WildBerry Catering to assist you with meal preparation.

Pets • Since this is a working farm pets are not permitted.

Cost of Programs • Program costs are calculated per person (children and adults) with tentsite camping at $6 per person per night (one cabin which sleeps five is available by special request at a different cost) and farm activities costing up to $25 per person per day. Program costs are calculated on a family basis with tentsite camping at $25 per night (one cabin which sleeps five is available by special request at a different cost) and an additional charge for program activities. Vermont’s 6% sales tax will be added.

Program Planning • A minimum of two months prior to your visit is recommended to organize customize programs. Reserve early to ensure campground availability.

Questions • Contact Jinny at (802) 763-7296 or by e-mail at fourspringsfarm@gmail.com.

Everyone is happy to work with you to set up a fun-filled program that perfectly suits your group’s needs, and will provide you with just the right amount of scheduled activities, free time, work, and play. Those at Four Springs Farm want you to go home at least a little wiser and with plenty of great memories to cherish!

“When children find their first carrot under the ground or collect a warm egg from under a chicken, they move one step closer to understanding where their food comes from.”

Jinny Hardy Cleland, host