Above: TTOR is offering special hikes and classes in Southborough starting this weekend. (images cropped from website)
Chestnut Hill Farms is back in the events business. The Trustees of Reservations has announced a slew of events for August and September.
The launch begins with a Hike with Goats this weekend. (That one is already sold out, but more are scheduled.)* Next week is the relaunch of Book Bugs. And the following weekend is the return of the popular Brew Moon Hike. Scroll down for those and a lot more.
For each of these programs, Chestnut Hill Farm has some caveats:
- Except where noted, registration closes two days prior to the event. If you wish to register after the deadline, please email chestnuthillfarm@thetrustees.org or call 508-658-3112 to find out if there is space remaining.
- For the most up-to-date information or weather cancellations for this and other programs, follow Chestnut Hill Farm’s Facebook page.
- While TTOR loves dogs, they are not permitted at Chestnut Hill Farm.
- Questions? Want to become a Trustees member and enjoy free and/or discounted programs? Contact chestnuthillfarm@thetrustees.org.
A comment from a Farm rep below also notes:
we will be observing best practices to keep everyone as safe as possible during this time of COVID-19. Program attendees must wear masks unless 6 feet apart, and social distancing best practices will be observed. We can’t wait to see everyone back at the farm!
Below are the programs available in August (although I also note some future recurring dates in September.)..
Hike with Goats!
Sundays, August 2 – Aug 30 (Time slots at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm) [Note: The August 2nd event is sold out.]*
Take a leisurely hike through Chestnut Hill Farm’s beautiful grounds and trails, accompanied by one or more of our friendly goats! Goats are naturally playful and curious creatures.
They love to follow the leader and stick together, which makes them perfect hiking companions! Hiking with goats is a fun and unique way to spend some time in nature and make some cuddly goat friends at the same time.
Your reservation gets you and your group of family or friends an hour-long experience with a friendly goat on its own harness and leash. You will first learn how to walk with the goat, and then you’ll be accompanied by a farm staff member as you and your new goat friend make your way around the farm and its trails. Bring your patience and sense of adventure; goats are friendly but they can sometimes be stubborn or want to wander off-path, so they may need to be lured with treats (don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of goat treats!).
A group ticket is for up to 4 people and you’ll need to pick a time slot. . .
For groups larger than 4, please email us. Children under 4 do not need a ticket.
You will walk through tall grass and/or woods, so be sure to protect yourself from ticks and mosquitos. We suggest you also bring drinking water, a hat, and sunscreen.
Click here to register.
Book Bugs: Farm Fun for Little Ones
August 4th & 18th, and September 8th & 22nd (10:00 – 11:00 am)
Bring your little bug (ages 2-6) to the farm each month for an interactive children’s story time. We’ll read a farm story, make a craft, have a kid-friendly snack, and explore the farm! For each specific date’s theme, please check Chestnut Hill Farm’s Facebook page.
Pre-registration is required to make sure we have snacks and supplies for all of our little friends. Little bugs should wear play clothes that can get a little dirty – and their grown-up may want to, too.
This event is most appropriate for preschoolers and toddlers but all are welcome – bring the little siblings!
Click here to register.
Fairy House & Gnome Home Hike and Workshop
August 8th & 25th, and September 14th & 24th (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Did you hear that? Listen carefully…if you really, really listen you can hear the magic of the forest all around you! The fairies, elves, nymphs and gnomes of our forests and your backyards have been building homes and villages for generations, and they love human help!
Join us to build a special home for some magical woodland creatures. We’ll go on a hike to collect natural materials then each child can create their own fairy or gnome home.
If you have something special to add to your house, feel free to bring it with you.
Registration closes two days prior to the event. If it is within two days and you wish to register, please email chestnuthillfarm@thetrustees.org or call 508-658-3112 to find out if there is space remaining.
Click here to register.
Brew Moon Hikes (Family Friendly)
Saturdays, August 8th & 22nd, and September 19th (7:00 – 9:00 pm) [Note: The August 22nd program is a special “Animal Tracking” version.]
Join us for a special evening hike accompanied by a beer tasting with a local craft brewery. This family-friendly event will be led by Tim Puopolo, a Trustees ranger and naturalist, and 2017 recipient of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s “Outstanding Park Interpreter” award.
The hike will be 30-45 minutes long and will follow some of Chestnut Hill Farm’s most beautiful trails. Before and after the hike, a brewery will provide flights of beer for sampling and describe their various flavor profiles. Beer will also be available to purchase.
The bonfire will be going, or if the weather isn’t agreeable, we’ll have our workshop’s wood-burning stove fired up. There will be light snacks, and beverages will be provided for children — plus s’mores by the bonfire, too! (weather permitting). Bring the family and friends — this popular program is well-loved for good reason!
Be sure to wear boots or shoes that are appropriate for hiking in potentially wet and muddy spots, and you may want to bring a flashlight in case of cloud cover. Hikes run rain or shine!
Space is limited for this event and pre-registration is required. Our Brew Moon Hikes often sell out far in advance, so register early!
The August 22nd program also notes:
During our guided hike, Tim will teach us how to recognize different animal tracks and other signs of wildlife on the farm and in the woods!
Click here to register for August 8th or September 19th. Click here to register for August 22nd.
All About Goats
Thursday, August 13, Friday August 28, Thurs September 17, Tues, Sept 29
10-11AM
Get up close and personal with the goats of Chestnut Hill Farm! First we’ll read a story that features goats. Then we’ll interact with some goats as we learn all about them: fun goat facts, what goats eat, how to care for them, and more. Children will be able to brush and feed the goats – grownups, don’t forget your cameras!
Registration closes two days prior to the event. If it is within two days and you wish to register, please email chestnuthillfarm@thetrustees.org or call 508-658-3112 to find out if there is space remaining.
Click here to register.
Build a Bee House (part of our Pollinator Pals family workshops)
Sunday, August 16, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
A mason bee hotel is a must have for any home or garden. The hotel is just like a bird house, but for insects! Each bee hotel provides native bees, such as mason bees, with a place to live and raise their babies. By placing a bee hotel in your garden, you can attract native pollinators to your flowers — which is great for any home or garden!
During this workshop, you will learn about the importance of native pollinators and each family will create their own mason bee hotel to take home. At the end of the workshop, you will learn how to identify whether or not you have winged visitors using your bee house.
This program is part of our Pollinator Pals Series; join us next month to learn all about bats and why they are our friends!
This workshop does require registration and has a limited amount of tickets, so register soon!
Click here to register.
*Updated (7/29/20 9:32 am): I learned that this weekend’s Hiking with Goats already sold out. I also heard back that the images I had shared of past examples of mason bee nests don’t look like what TTOR has in mind for the upcoming event. So, I stripped those out.
Updated (7/29/20 1:14 am): I added the note about safety protocols based on a comment from the Farm.
Thank you for the great post about our upcoming programs! We’d also like to note that we will be observing best practices to keep everyone as safe as possible during this time of COVID-19. Program attendees must wear masks unless 6 feet apart, and social distancing best practices will be observed. We can’t wait to see everyone back at the farm!