Gorman Heritage Farm offers creative, hands-on, interdisciplinary field trips that relate to Ohio State Standards. All groups are led by trained staff and volunteers, with small groups of 10 or fewer students. Please let us know what you are studying in the classroom so that we can integrate it into your field trip experience, and build on your students’ prior knowledge.
Pre-School Our 1 1/2 to
1 3/4 hour
pre-school program allows children to interact with our animals on a personal
level. The students are given an opportunity to engage all of their senses while
touring our gardens and farmyard. Children visit the chickens, pig, goats,
sheep, and rabbits, as available. Time is given to allow the participants to
interact and explore the lives of our animals. Tasting, touching, smelling,
hearing, and seeing GHF plants and animals gives children a whole new level of
understanding about farming and the natural world.
Kindergarten, Grade, 1, and Grade 2: Food Sources
During this 2 hour program, small groups are given a map to guide
them through the farm. Checking items off their map as they go, students engage
in hands-on exploration using their sense to discover the basic needs of all
living things, and how many of their own basic needs are fulfilled by a farm.
This program includes activities such as: collecting fresh eggs, grinding animal
feed, touching or grooming animals, and planting or harvesting seasonal
vegetables.
Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4: Structure & Function
During this 4 1/2 hour program, small groups explore the
structures and functions of our farmyard animals, farming equipment, garden
tools, seeds, and even the compost pile! This program helps learners understand
how interconnected life is and how vitally important healthy soil is to us all.
This fun and information-filled experience is packed with real-life examples,
interactive games, and hands-on experiences.
Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5: Local Ohio History
During this 4 1/2 hour program, small groups realize that
learning the history of
Gorman Heritage Farm and the local community can be fun
and exciting. Find out that farmers have not always had tractors, electricity,
water in their houses, or even refrigerators. Explore the past and present ways
children work to help fulfill the needs of their family, how animals are cared
for, where food is stored, how water is transported and experience your local
history.
Our focus and mission is to provide children a connection to
the sources of their food. This includes experiences in our farm yard, with our
animals, and in our gardens. All groups visiting GHF will be given the chance to
interact with our animals, including petting them, seeing what they eat, and
learning about their life on the farm.
How many students can I bring? What is the cost?
Preschool groups may bring up to 48 children. Kindergarten and
older may bring up to 60 children. Groups may schedule more than one
day to accommodate larger numbers. We will split classes up into small group of
approximately 8-10.The cost per student is $5 for our Farm Senses and Food Sources programs,
and $6 per student for our Structure and Function and Local Ohio History
programs. Teachers and aids are free. Parent chaperons are $5 or $6 each
depending on the scheduled program. There is a $75 minimum for small groups.
May parent chaperons bring siblings?
No, we discourage the attendance of siblings on school field
trip visits to our farms.
How long is the program?
Our Farm Senses and Food Sources programs generally run, on average, 1 hour and
45 minutes. Structure and Function and Local Ohio History run 4-5 hours, including lunch.
What times do your programs being?
Our morning sessions begin between 9:00 and 10:15.
Our afternoon session begin between 12:30 and 1:15.
May we eat lunch at the farm?
Yes, we have a large picnic area available, which can seat
groups of 60 or more. Lunch must be brought by
the schools. There is no extra charge to use the picnic area or Sunflower Room.
What is your cancellation policy?
We run our programs rain or shine. We only cancel programs in
the case of lightning or school closings. In the case of cancellation, it is
very difficult to reschedule programs. If a school does need to cancel a
program, we ask that you do so at least thirty days in advance. If the
cancellation is by the school and less than thirty days before the trip, you
will be charged a $50 administrative fee. We are flexible in the case of rain or
cold and can do most of our program under shelter.
Please call with other questions or requirements beyond
what is listed here.
I love it! When can I register my school for a visit?
Please join our mailing list to receive registration
information in early May for the 2010-2011 school year. Thank you!
-
