Summer Programs at Auerfarm

The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm has a great lineup of summer programs.  Some are supported by grants and are available at no cost to participants and some are Summer Farm Academy programs that have fees.  The grant supported programs have specific requirements for participation.  Summer Farm Academy programs are open to all comers by grade level.

There are a two opportunities for no cost programs for students in certain grades:
The first is Auerfarm Adventures, a two-week Interdistrict Program that will serve students from Hartford, Bloomfield, Simsbury, East Granby, and Granby who will be going into 4th or 5th grade in September.

   Auerfarm’s 4th and 5th Grade Adventurers will explore Auerfarm’s ecosystems, make new friends from other towns and learn what it takes to become a farmer and naturalist.  Adventures could hike to Heublein Tower, search for animal tracks, go on a hayride, take care of farm animals, tend gardens, keep a nature journal, and walk a goat. Dates for the Family Dinner at the farm and student overnight are July 18 for Session A, and August 1 for Session B.  Bus transportation will be provided.

There are 2 sessions:
  Session A:  July 8,9,10,11,12 and  July 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19; and
  Session B:  July 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and July 29, 30, 31, August 1, August 2.

Students must agree to participate in both weeks of their session to be eligible for a place in this program.

The second grant subsidized program is Junior Master Gardeners will also be available at no cost to participants. The Junior Master Gardeners will spend the week learning how to grow fresh vegetables, herbs, and flowers; learning the art and science of gardening through a fun and rigorous process of hands-on learning.  Junior Master Gardeners will also work with farm animals and explore nature across the farm’s 120 acres.

 This program is open to students who will be entering grades 6, 7, and 8 in September. Students from all towns are welcome to apply. There will be 3 one-week sessions:
   June 24-28 or
   August 5-9 or
   August 12-16

There will also be seven weeks of one week programs in out Summer Farm Academy Program.  Fees for this program are $150 a week for PK-K, 9:00-12:00; and $250 a week for Grades 1-6, 9:00-3:00.

 More information on each program is available online at www.auerfarm.org.  Questions or requests for further information or program registration may be directed to mdibella4hcenter@comcast.net, or at 860-242-7144, Extension 10.