Farm & Forest School
Learning to grow food (and our families) together
Our Farm and Forest School has been designed and is managed by Cheryl (B’Sc, B’Ed) and her team of homeschooling homesteading daughters, Ava (16), Lexie (14) and Ruth Anne (12) – plus a few more upcoming daughters in the years ahead.
As a former high school teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board, Cheryl has been homeschooling her family for more than 16 years now. While simultaneously running a kitchen-table school room ranging from pre-school age to secondary levels, the homeschooling experience has opened her eyes to a better way of learning; one that is student-directed and motivated by a love of learning.
“Our tiny kitchen-table school room merges into the wide expanse of farm and forest learning each day as we care for livestock, attempt to grow our own food, design and build shelters and fencing using tools, manage a woodland, and prepare for the challenges of the changing seasons.”
We will be designing a Farm & Forest School for each season that will highlight the changes, challenges and fruit that comes from immersing ourselves as the primary consumers and care-givers of the land under our feet.
The foundation of our knowledge will be “creation-based” and simple in its traditional delivery. We encourage all children to ask questions and develop an inquiring mind, so we will not exclude the ideas and imaginations of one who is seeking truth. The wisdoms we pass along in guiding them to truth will emphasis the basics of Biblical teachings and morals.
JOIN US FOR OUR
OPEN HOUSE
on
Tuesday, February 28th
Pre-Register in advance (follow the link under BOOK NOW)
We look forward to seeing you and your child. Come prepared to ask questions and dress warm for outdoors. We will be touring around the farm to see the various learning centres.
Space will be limited to 12 students per session (ages 5 -12 years old). Classes will run rain-or-shine, so send your child prepared with extra clothing for the outdoors. If you are interested in volunteering to help, please let me know.
NOTE – please ask regarding younger children as we may be able to incorporate a younger program in the future. Likewise, if there is an interest for young people (13+ years), we may have options to accomodate this age group.
What to expect
Sessions will run for 8 weeks and we will meet in-person, on the farm for 4 hours on a selected day of the week. Students will come prepared to be outdoors, however, we will have access to our heated “farmhouse” for indoor activities during the day. Students will BYO lunch and snacks.
Activities will include :
» barn chore exercises
» woodland exploration & playtime
» daily time with a variety of animals including goats, ponies, chickens, pigs, alpacas and rabbits
» nature-related crafts and activities
» farm-related building projects using tools and tractors
» hunting, fishing and foraging skills
» food preparation skills including sourdough bread making, cheese making, foraging and harvesting from the garden, canning and preparing herbal teas
*Cost – Introductory Price starts at $50 per child per day
*(some additional fees may apply for extra materials – TBA)
(Full payment required at booking; plus tax)
NOTE – Your child must enrol in the entire session (8 weeks). There will not be a one-day-only option at this time. There is no refund for missed classes. Classes will run rain-or-shine and we will only cancel/reschedule if weather conditions are unfavourably extreme.
Date – Our first Spring Session is tentatively scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 4th – Tuesday, May 23rd 2023.
Session must have at least 8 children enrolled to commence
Our vision is to help you (and your kids) grow your own food and grow as a person with a homestead education.