Part-Time on the Farm
This program is designed to support homeschooling families who want to enhance and deepen learning in math, literacy, art, and environmental education in a natural setting.
We believe that children learn best when they are actively part of the process: when they are curious and make connections for deeper understanding, when they work with their hands, move about and develop stamina – mentally and physically – and develop a camaraderie that comes with collaborative discoveries and problem solving. This is what happens in our weekly Farm and Nature programs. We value the opportunity to provide the space and time for learners to view themselves as scientists, researchers, readers, writers, and drivers of their unique learning journey. ​
Schedule:
Families may enroll their child in our Wednesday Land Lab, Farm Friday, or both programs, held at our farm in Williamsburg, Virginia.
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Programs run from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., September through May.
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Wednesday Land Lab
For those seeking to combine child-centered learning with academic benchmarks, our Wednesday Land Lab program offers opportunities for observation, exploration, and hands-on innovation.
Our goals include:
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Understanding the natural world through studies in plants, animals, ecosystems, and weather patterns.
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Discovering the interconnectedness of living and non-living things and the environment.
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Establishing a practice of stewardship in nature through developing personal connections to it.
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Mastering basic science concepts (including growth, change, and interdependence) through nature-based challenges.
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Developing skills in critical thinking and problem-solving.
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Providing artistic challenges using natural materials and the inspiration of environmental themes.
Farm Friday
We continue our tradition of Farm Fridays, with discoveries and explorations of farm, fields, and forest. Our Fridays are full of heritage handcrafting, community building projects, outdoor investigations, preparation for our end-of-semester Farm Stand, and many opportunities for choice and emerging interests. We encourage nature practices that develop stewardship and creativity alongside camaraderie and good old fashioned play and adventure.