Outdoor Education Programs for Children in VAÂ and SC
FINCASTLE, VA FARM SCHOOL
Classes offered at our Fincastle Farm School location:
0-3 years old- Farm Sprouts- a parent and child 8 week class.
3-4 years old- Farm Seedlings- a weekly drop off class that runs for the duration of the school year.
5-7 years old- Farm Saplings- a weekly drop off class that runs for the duration of the school year.Â
8-12 years old- Farm Heirlooms- a weekly drop off class that runs for the duration of the school year.Â
13-17 years old- Farm Stewards Course- a bi-monthly advanced farmsteading course that runs for the duration of the school year.
The Fincastle, VA Farm School is nestled in a picturesque valley. Located on over 50 acres, the key features of this private property are a babbling creek filled with trout that's suitable for summertime swimming amidst stunning large pastures that are seemingly endless with dozens of sheep, goats, horses, pigs, and cows. Multiple barns are scattered throughout the farm including a large chicken coop which is the hub where chickens and ducks call home when they're not roaming free. 12 lush garden beds are cared for by the students and the produce is sold at the end of year Farmer's Market. A natural mountain spring is central to the farm where frogs abide all year long. Farm School was the 3rd VFS location that opened in 2022.
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The Farm School of Valley Forest School is focused on homesteading skills, gardening and animal husbandry including caring for horses, sheep, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and llamas. Students are actively involved in responsible water management to contribute to the health of the Chesapeake bay water shed, including trout introduction. These students experience hands-on farm to table food production through raising meat chickens, vegetable and herb gardening, and food preservation. All farm animals are lovingly cared for, respected, and regenerative practices are followed when possible.
FARM SPROUTS- AGES 0-3
This 8 week parent and child class is one of the best ways to get your feet wet at farm school! This brand new class follows a Waldorf approach to hands on outdoor education at a toddler's pace- exclusively outdoors getting dirty on the farm for total nature immersion.
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Expect your little one to collect eggs, listen to great stories, feed farm animals, learn colors through nature, plant seeds in the garden, and make new friends along the way.
For those considering farm school as a part of your child's education, it's the perfect "Intro to Farm School". It's a great class for parents of multiple little ones or with a second baby on the way. For those who want a more challenging adventure, check out our other parent and child class called Adventure Babies.​
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Visit our parent portal to sign up for Farm Sprouts!
FARM SEEDLINGS- AGES 3-4
Farm Seedlings ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education and want to introduce their child to farm living in all 4 seasons in some of the earliest and most formative years of life. The program for 3-4 year olds focuses on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature and knowing where food comes from.
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All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion. Seedling classes are 4 hours.
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Classes are on a weekly basis for 1-3 days per week.
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Visit our parent portal to view more details about our farm preschool programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.
FARM SAPLINGS- AGES 5-7
Farm Saplings is ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education and farm living in all 4 seasons in the early educational years of life. The Farm Sapling students focus on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature and knowing where food comes from.
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Farm Saplings is a homeschool enrichment program.
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All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion. Classes are 5.5 hours on a weekly basis for 1-3 days per week.
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Visit our parent portal to view more details about our programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.
FARM HEIRLOOMS- AGES 8-12
Farm Heirlooms is ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education in all 4 seasons throughout older childhood and want their child to connect to the land through farm living. These programs focus on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature and knowing where food comes from.
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Farm Heirlooms is a homeschool enrichment program.
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All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion. Classes are 5.5 hours and on a weekly basis for 1-3 days per week.
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Visit our parent portal to view more details about our co-op programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.
FARM STEWARDS COURSE- AGES 13-17
The Farm Stewards Course is ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education in all 4 seasons throughout the oldest phase of childhood in the teen years. This program focuses on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature in a farm setting.
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All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion.
The Farm Stewards Course meets two times per month.
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Visit our parent portal to view more details about our programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.