Frequently Asked Questions
Teacher FAQs
Q: What are the goals of the Farms for City Kids Foundation?
A: The purpose of Farms for City Kids is to expand the horizons and enhance the literacy of urban youth through an authentic hands–on experience of rural farm life. We provide a safe and nurturing environment for enriching urban children’s views of the world‚ while also increasing their knowledge in basic academic skill areas—reading‚ writing‚ math‚ history‚ social studies and natural sciences. The Farm experience is designed to help build self–esteem and teamwork‚ and it teaches responsibility‚ helping students grow towards self–reliance.
Q: How do children benefit from their participation in Farms for City Kids?
A: Not only do children learn responsibility in caring for farm animals‚ they learn compassion for animals and respect for the environment. This often translates into compassion and respect for their peers and teachers. They also gain appreciation of the food they eat and where it comes from.
Q: What types of activities do the children participate in during their week at Spring Brook Farm?
A: Combining hands–on applications of academics with farming‚ children participate in many of the everyday chores on the Farm.
- Milking the cows‚ cleaning the stalls‚ feeding and grooming the animal.
- Planting and harvesting vegetables in the garden‚ planting flowers around the farm and mulching the apple orchard and blueberry bushes.
- Building a nature trail in one of the Farm’s woodlots and depending on the season‚ working in the gardens and orchards.
- Participating in off–farm activities such as strawberry‚ blueberry or apple picking.
Ample time is built into each day for reflection‚ journal writing‚ drawing and recreation. Team building games‚ hikes‚ visits with the horses and arts and crafts projects are planned as evening activities. The Farm is truly an outdoor classroom with infinite hands–on learning opportunities.
Q: How are the schools chosen to attend Farms for City Kids?
A: Farms for City Kids works with the New York Department of Education and regional superintendents to invite New York City public schools to the farm. Starting in 2003‚ the Farm worked with the Boston Science Center to invite Boston Public Schools. Other individual schools and programs throughout the northeast have contacted the Farm on their own. Schools that have previously participated in the program are often invited to return. When more than one school is interested in the same date to participate in Farms for City Kids‚ schools are chosen by lottery system.
Q: How many children participate in Farms for City Kids each year?
A: The program is in session 30+ weeks out of the year for city schools. Between 15 and 24 children arrive with their teachers each week. Another couple of hundred local students participate in day or overnight programs as well.
Q: How old are the children that participate in the program?
A: The majority of children are between the ages of 8 and 12. Most are currently in fourth or fifth grade.
Q: Do children stay overnight at Spring Brook Farm?
A: Yes‚ a dorm facility houses the children during overnight stays. The children sleep‚ eat and attend classroom workshops at the dorm. The dorm has five bunk rooms for students‚ two teachers’ rooms‚ as well as separate boys’ and girls’ bathrooms‚ and a full kitchen.
Q. Do the children have chaperones or teachers with them during their week at Spring Brook Farm?
A. Groups of 15 to 24 children must have at least two teachers accompanying them to the Farm. New teachers attending the program for the first time must participate in an orientation at the Farm in the spring prior to participation. This orientation is essential for teachers to understand the dedication and participation involved in running a successful program. School and farm staff teachers direct lessons and activities for students during the day and into the evening.
Q: How does the Farms for City Kids program integrate into the children’s normal school curriculum?
A: New teachers to the program attend an orientation at the Farm where‚ along with farm staff‚ they brainstorm ideas for integrating farm–related topics into their curriculum. All teachers are encouraged to introduce “farm facts” and related lessons to the children prior to their visit to the Farm. Farm experiences can be integrated into science‚ math‚ history and social studies lessons.
For example:
- Measuring and honing basic math skills are a part of daily feeding and milking exercises.
- Science and biology are woven into daily work in the garden‚ during pond studies and in discussions about the life cycles of plants ad animals.
- History and social studies are a part of the kids’ nature hikes in which they see and feel stonewalls and discuss Vermont’s early American history.
- Once at the Farm‚ most activities and chores meet state education standards.
Q: Do the children or schools have to pay any money to attend the Farms for City Kids program?
A: No. The Farms for City Kids program is a non–profit foundation that is fully funded by private donations and grants. Schools must fund and organize transportation to and from the Farm.
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