Above: Winter fun at the farm includes educational hiking programs and programs for childeren (all photos are from TTOR website events pages or Chestnut Hill Farm’s Facebook events)
It’s time for an update on what The Trustees of Reservations have in store at the Southborough site over the next two months — starting next week.
You can still take advantage of their annual Reindeer Quest for the remainder of this week. (Scroll down for that reminder.)
The other events require pre-registration and a fee.*
The costs cited for events below are per member/non-member. (You can find membership details here.)
Below are the basic details. Click links for more (or visit here for all of their upcoming programs.)
Hiking & Animal Education for All Ages
Chestnut Hill by Moonlight: Howling at the Wolf Moon
Saturday, January 7th, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Cost: $20/$25 per adult; $10/$15 per child
Though we do not have wolves in this area, we do have their close relatives- coyotes! Learn to track these wily animals as well as their wild neighbors such as skunks, squirrels, and raccoons. Like a wolf hunting at night, you will then prowl through our woodlands under the light of the full moon.
(Click here to learn more/register)
Winter Wildlife Tracking and Survival Hike
Saturday, January 14th, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Cost: $20/$25 per adult; $10/$15 per child
Even if there isn’t snow on the ground, the winter is a great time to track animals! Not all “animal tracks” are simple pawprints, and by reading the forest around us we can take a glimpse into the wild world of what it takes to survive a hard winter
(Click here to learn more/register)
Chestnut Hill by Moonlight: Exploring Winter Life by the Full Snow Moon
Saturday, February 4th, 4:30 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $20/$25 per adult; $12/$15 per child
Create birdfeeders to feed overwintering birds, and hunt for other signs of winter wildlife at dusk. As the sun sets and the moon rises, you’ll explore the woodland trails, listening for winter wildlife all around you. . . If the moon lives up to its name, you’ll learn to build a Quinzee- a snow shelter traditional to some Canadian indigenous cultures.
(Click here to learn more/register)
The Great Backyard Bird Count
Saturday, February 18th, 10:00 am – noon
Cost: $20/$25 per adult; $12/$15 per child
Jump into the sport of birding and be part of a global event! As we create a bird sightings list to submit as part of the event, we’ll also explore the themes of February in nature and the strategies different species employ at this time of year.
(Click here to learn more/register)
Programs for Children
Preschool Farm Explorers
For ages 2 yrs & 9 months – 5 yrs
Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 am, January 5th & 25th, and February 2nd & 16th
Cost: $24/$30 per child & parent pair (per session); $12/15 per additional child
Bundle up and we’ll explore the farm and woodlands of Chestnut Hill Farm. Who knows what wintery delights await? Topics could include: animal tracking, ice experiments, snow activities, or animal hibernation. (Not a drop-off program.)
(Click here to learn more/register)
Book Bugs: Farm Fun for Little Ones
For ages 2 -5 yrs
Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:00 am, January 10th & February 7th
Cost: $9/$15 per child; free for siblings under 2 years old
Bring your little bug to the farm for an interactive children’s story time! We’ll read a fun farm story or two, make a craft, and explore the farm! Each day will have a different theme. (Not a drop-off program.)
(Click here to learn more/register)
About All About Sheep and Wool
For families with children ages 4+
Saturday, February 18th, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Cost: $15/$20 per adult/child pair
Learn about the journey from sheep to sweater. Touch wool at various stages of processing, and try your hand at the carding brush and drop spindle! Pick your favorite color of bright wool roving, and try hand-spinning your very own yarn. . . If we’re lucky, we’ll have new spring lambs to visit! (Not a drop-off program.)
(Click here to learn more/register)
February on the Farm (February Vacation Week)
For Grades K-5
9:00 am – noon, Tuesday, February 21st – Friday, February 24th
Cost: $48/60 per day
(Drop-off program.) Bring your child to Chestnut Hill farm for four days of frosty farm fun! February farm activities could include sledding, making snow friends, visiting lambs, tasting maple syrup, hiking, or making farm and nature-related crafts!
(Click here to learn more/register)
Reindeer Quest
All ages/family
Dawn-Dusk daily, December
Free – no registration required (but no dogs allowed)*
Free self-guided program. Get the family outside to discover TTOR’s elusive herd of wooden reindeer (including Rudolph) found throughout the farm trails.
(Click here for more details and trail map)
*For each of the Chestnut Hill Farm programs:
- For the most up-to-date information or weather cancellations for this and other programs, follow Chestnut Hill Farm’s Facebook page.
- Because it is a working farm, dogs aren’t permitted on the property.
(all photos are copied from TTOR website events pages or Chestnut Hill Farm’s Facebook posts/events)
