Kids Summer Classes (Summer 2022)

Summer Classes on the Farm

Calling all future farmers, scientists, chefs, naturalists, and gardeners! We are excited to invite children back to the Farm for a joyful summer learning experience in 2022. This summer, we are offering 2.5-hour classes by the week, with morning or afternoon slots available. In our small group setting, we are able to provide more personalized instruction for our students and ensure that everyone has a fulfilling experience while at the Farm. Join us as we discover the boundless connections between our food, each other, and the natural world. 

Our program will cover a different garden-based theme each week that guides our instruction. Driving questions such as these will fuel each week’s hands-on lessons: How do our actions affect the world around us? How do plants grow and change over time? What happens to my food before it gets to my plate? We cover topics like life cycles, the food system, garden creatures, as well as basic gardening skills. We’ll also be able to put together a garden snack during each class to enjoy together. We hold classes in our learning garden as well as the larger farm, giving kids valuable time in a natural space that they can call their own. Classes are small, with each session limited to 12 students, and taught by our director of education and an assistant. 

Pre-registration is required. Classes will be held primarily outside and will move into the barn if there is inclement weather. All kids should come prepared to get dirty, learn, and have fun!

Starting the week of July 5 through the week of August 28, 9:00–11:30 am (for ages 5–8) or 1:30–4:00 pm (for ages 8–12) (We offer flexibility with those age groupings so please let us know if you would like to keep siblings or other peers together and we will try to accommodate requests.)

Covid Protocols

Newton Community Farm follows MA and City of Newton protocols to keep our staff, students, volunteers, and the communtity as safe as possible. Parents must:

• Check their child for COVID-19 symptoms before they come to the Farm and keep their child home if they have symptoms or illnesses, or if they are requried to quarantine due to symptoms, illness, exposure to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19
• Abide by the state travel restrictions in place during the time their child is enrolled in programs at the Farm
• At this time, masks are optional while at the Farm except for those in days 6-10 after a positive test who must wear masks. Please do not visit the Farm if you have tested positive for Covid within the past 5 days, been told to quarantine or isolate by a health professional, or if you feel unwell. . 

As these protocols are constantly evolving, we will update our requirements as needed as we get closer to the start of classes. 

Safety

Newton Community Farm is a working farm and a busy place with equipment, animals, and honey bees onsite. Please note that this program will be a mix of outdoor and indoor settings as weather dictates. Pickup and dropoff will be in the red barn or a tent set up outside as weather allows. For safety, we ask that you do not enter buildings on the Farm. Program participants are only allowed in the building with the permission of staff. Guardians will sign their child in and out of classes each day. For your child to have a great time, we ask that your child wear comfortable play clothes and closed-toed shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring a water bottle with their name on it for socially-distanced water breaks. Please don't forget to send your child in with a mask on and be sure to wear a mask when coming for pick up or drop off. 

Parking

Classes take place at Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459. Please park on Winchester Street (near the red farm stand) and walk down the lane past the chickens to the Learning Garden. You'll see us! If the weather is bad, continue to the barn, up the deck, and inside. Please do NOT park in the farm driveway as we have farm vehicles coming and going. We will communicate any changes to parking due to inclement weather as soon as possible. 

Refund Policy

Cancellations made up to three weeks in advance of your registered start date will receive a full refund, less a $25 administration fee; less than three weeks but more than two weeks in advance will receive a 50% refund, less a $25 administration fee. Cancellations made within two weeks of the start date are non-refundable. Newton Community Farm reserves the right to cancel and/or reschedule a program if necessary.