Young Pioneers

Farm & Nature Enrichment Program

 

About Our Program

Where Children Thrive in the Heart of Nature

At Young Pioneers, children participate in a hands-on outdoor enrichment program designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and a connection to the natural world through experiential learning.

Located on a working regenerative farm, our instructional sessions provide opportunities for children to explore gardening, nature studies, homesteading skills, cooking, science-based projects, art, and agricultural education through guided, age-appropriate activities. Each session is designed to encourage independence, problem-solving, teamwork, and meaningful engagement with the environment through active participation and hands-on discovery.

Young Pioneers is a private educational enrichment program and experiential learning community. Our instructors facilitate structured group activities and outdoor educational experiences that support supplemental learning in a collaborative farm environment.

For Our Youngest Explorers (Ages 3–5)

Younger participants engage in hands-on, exploratory learning experiences designed to encourage creativity, curiosity, foundational skill development, and collaborative participation.

  • Acorn Academy: Children explore early literacy, introductory math, sensory exploration, and nature-based discovery through activities such as bug hunts, citrus tastings, erupting “volcanoes,” and interactive counting games.

  • Adventure: Students participate in music, homesteading, and outdoor nature experiences through seed planting, natural crafting, rhythm activities, and guided outdoor songs.

  • The Nook: Rotating enrichment themes introduce children to cooking, science, art, and music through hands-on projects such as fizzing science experiments, potato planting, salt-paint creations, and ocean-inspired musical activities.

For Growing Independents (Ages 6–9)

Older participants engage in advanced hands-on learning experiences designed to encourage independence, problem-solving, leadership, and practical life skills through immersive farm-based education.

  • The Leaf Lab (Science): Students participate in interactive science investigations exploring topics such as rock cycles, freezing points, ecosystems, and natural processes, paired with creative projects including nature-inspired instruments and handmade paper bead art.

  • Kitchen: Participants harvest seasonal produce and prepare farm-fresh recipes while exploring nutrition, food science, measuring, and culinary traditions from around the world.

  • Garden: Through microscope exploration, insect studies, seasonal planting, composting, and guided nature observations, students develop an understanding of ecosystems, soil health, and sustainable food systems.

  • Music: Students explore orchestra instruments, rhythm, music theory, composition, and cultural music traditions through interactive musical experiences.

  • Homestead: Hands-on projects introduce woodworking, natural crafting, cultural geography, practical homesteading skills, and sustainability-focused learning experiences.

  • Nature & Art: Students engage in wildlife observation, trail exploration, storytelling, journaling, and nature-based artistic expression while developing a deeper connection to the outdoor environment.

Program Philosophy

We believe children learn best through active participation and hands-on exploration. Through meaningful educational experiences, students develop problem-solving skills, creativity, confidence, and practical knowledge while engaging with the natural world.

Testimonials

We’ve had our kids at young Pioneers since its first session in January 2021. It’s been so fun to see it grow over these years and beautiful to see this farm respond to a need in this community. My daughter started at almost 3 and has always come home happy, a little dirty and with things to share about what she learned. They are outside all morning gaining valuable social, physical and nature skills and knowledge. Even in the last few months as she has been a little sad at drop off (because we’re expecting her little sibling any day) I don’t hesitate to leave her with April or her teacher, Jen, because I know she is in good, caring hands. What more could a mama want?? We’re sad to be leaving for kindergarten but will be back for camp! A huge thank you to all the staff and teachers!
— Julia V
My child LOVES “farm school” (as we call it :) - and has been attending for over a year! April and Farmer Rich have set up a fantastic program for kids to explore and learn while out in nature. It’s always a fun, engaging and educational morning spent on the farm. My child has made many farm friends, is known and greeted by name by all the wonderful farm school staff, and as a bonus, my kid has tried tons more fruits and veggies than ever before. I wholeheartedly recommend!
— Lori G

Enrollment Process

Step 1: Farm TourSchedule and attend a farm tour to experience the environment and learn about the program in person. Your child must attend the tour with you.

Fill out this form to book a tour

Step 2: Join Program Interest ListFollowing the tour, interested families may complete a participation interest form to be considered for upcoming seasonal session opportunities. Participation selections typically take place in May, June, and July for Fall sessions and October and November for Spring sessions.

Step 3: Registration & Family OrientationFamilies invited to participate will complete registration materials to reserve their child’s place in the upcoming enrichment season. Enrolled families will receive preparation materials, session information, and details for the family orientation gathering prior to the start of the season.

2026-27 Session Schedules

Educational enrichment sessions are offered Tuesday through Friday.

Families may select from:

Morning Instructional Session: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Extended Learning Session: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

To support meaningful hands-on learning experiences, participation is intentionally limited to small group sizes.

Tuition & Participation Fees

Tuition supports instructional materials, educational activities, hands-on projects, farm resources, and guided enrichment experiences throughout the semester.

Registration deposits are non-refundable, there is not registration fee if paying in full with charter funds. Mandatory Supply fee of $60 due first month for the full year. Fees are per child.

Morning Session (8:30–11:30)

1 day/week: $257/month

2 days/week: $514/month

3 days/week: $756/month

4 days/week: $1008/month

*Semester commitment is required. Semesters run from September-December and January-May.

Add on: Afternoon Explorers (11:30-12:30)

1 day/week: $50/month

2 days/week: $100/month

3 days/week: $150/month

4 days/week: $200/month

*Semester commitment is required.

Payment Plans

Monthly payments are the default payment plan. Registration deposits are non-refundable.

Fall semester is Sep-Dec and Spring semester is Jan-May..

5% discount available if paid in full by Zelle, cash or check. Please see this pdf to calculate costs.

Families interested in using charter educational funds must tour first then determine if they are interested in enrolling. Once you get invited to enroll, let us know how you plan to pay. See charter fund costs here

Frequently Asked Questions