FIELD TRIPS
“Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.”
– Terry Tempest Williams
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
Fox Haven offers children opportunities to observe, explore, learn, play and find refreshment and inspiration amidst the ecosystems at the farm. Our field trips are rich learning experiences and encourage children of all ages to use what they learn and share it with their families, classrooms, scout groups, and communities.
Learning takes many forms: working with the earth in the garden, orchard, and compost; exploring the forest and streams; observing insects; building fires; creating forest shelters; reading weather patterns; creating visual art; story writing and storytelling; poetry and letter writing and more.
Fox Haven’s field trips are a la carte programs, customized, upon age and ability level. We match our experiences to state education standards, Common Core, STEM, STEAM, Eco-literacy and Ag-literacy.
Homeschool groups love the farm and we enjoy creating programs that correspond to books the groups are reading, science/math studies, and social studies explorations. We require a minimum of 8 children.
Pricing is dependent on supplies needed, length of time spent at the farm, and number of children in the class/field trip. All programs can be 1-4 hours in length, depending on your goals and number of participants. The average field trip lasts 2 hours, with groups sometimes bringing their lunches and having some recess before loading onto the bus to head back to school. Prices range between $10-15 per person for these trips. We offer one free adult entrance per 15 students.
We will work with you, teachers, parents, and youth workers, to craft a class to meet your needs. Please email us at joann@foxhavenfarm.org for more information.
Please fill out our field trip form and a Fox Haven representative will get back to you within 3-5 business days. We require at least 2 weeks prior notice in order to schedule experience requests.
OUR NATURE-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Herb Garden Sensory Tour & Tasting
Tour the Garden and enjoy a tea tasting. Tour the herb garden and learn about the plants that are ripe and ready for harvest. From the plant that gives pizza its zing, to the root that made the first marshmallow, to the flower that stops bleeding – we’ll tour the stories and senses that fill our garden.
1 hour | $10 per student
All About Bees: Honey Tasting & Hive Tour
Discover what hard work it is to be a pollinator. Look at all the different things that they do and their critical role in our Maryland ecosystems. They work really hard to keep our environment healthy and are critical to our food supply. Participants will go on a short hike to look for bees and other pollinators, followed by a taste of honey from our hives as well as a few unique varietals.
1.5 hours | $15 per student
Biodiversity Programs
Compost on the Farm, Garden & Your Backyard
Learn about how animals, insects, fungus, and microorganisms work together in our eco-systems to enrich the soil so that we can grow delicious, healthy food. With magnifying glass in hand, children explore the garden and forest soils to discover these critical players. We move to the compost area to learn about aerobic and anaerobic composting, taking temperatures of piles and looking for evidence of life within.
1.5 hours | $10 per student
Orchards as Biodiverse Wonderlands
Discover the insects and companion plants that help fruit grow. Bring your clipboards, pencils and magnifying glasses to get a closer look and record your findings. Explore how we manage our orchard without pesticides. Learn how biodiversity is critical for we humans to survive and thrive on planet earth and how you can be a citizen scientist in your community.
1.5 hours | $10 per student
Conservation Programs
Conservation on the Farm
This program is for students from eighth grade to college age. Reconnect with nature, read some Aldo Leopold, tour and explore conservation areas of the farm, examine how you can practice conservation at home, school, and in your community. Riparian buffer zones, warm and cold season grasses, food forests, and stream health will be addressed. Students will be connected with local and regional organizations that monitor conservation activities as a way to build a sense of civic engagement.
2 hours | $10 per student
The American Chestnut: Historic, Economic, and Eco-System Wonder
We present the ecological, economic and cultural history of the American Chestnut with an open Q&A. We address the genetic backcrossing being done in Fox Haven’s orchard with a walking tour. The learning box contains samples from different types of trees in this family, chestnut seeds, and vintage photographs of these ancient giants of the forest. This program can be adjusted for elementary through college age students.
2 hours | $10 per student
Watersheds and You
Explore how we protect the Catoctin Watershed on the farm and who appreciates the efforts. Walk the stream with nets, meet some micro and macro-invertebrates, and find the peace that waterways bring. This class has a size limit of 15.
Fire & Frost: fire-making, animal tracking, shelter-making, orienteering.
Finding our way in the wild, or even suburban woods can be a fun adventure with the right skills and tools. Suit up for fun in the outdoors!
Mindfulness Programs
Mindfulness in Nature
Through playful and grounding activities like creek exploration, storytelling, yoga, painting, agility games, music, and nature walks, children cultivate mindfulness, resilience, self-awareness, and compassion. Each experience is a joyful, hands-on journey into calm, confidence, and deeper connection with themselves and the world around them.
Nature Mandalas
Creating a nature mandala gives kids a hands-on way to connect with nature through art, science, and collaboration. We’ll design a layout, forage for leaves and flowers, and explore symmetry, color, and pattern. Along the way, children learn to identify safe, useful plants—deepening their connection to the natural world through close observation and creative play.
Storytime in the Big Red Barn
Join us for a 1-hour storytime and nature walk. Bring a snack or lunch to enjoy afterward. This experience is for pre-school age children only.
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