We seek to connect children to nature in a way that will stick with them for life! Sessions meet one day per week and run for 8-13 weeks. Sept. 18 - Dec. 20 (mornings ages 3-5) or Sept. 23 - Nov. 22 (afterschool ages 6-12).
Connecting kids ages 3-12 to the natural world
Fall is both the season of bountiful harvest and change on the farm and in the surrounding habitats! The energy of discovering treasures in the fields and boxes, the colors blazing on the trees, the busy work of animals in nature (as well as the farmers) preparing for the winter vibrates through the soil and roots, in the air and water, everywhere young bodies can joyfully observe and explore. It is also a time of constant change and beauty.
Our Mission
The Friends of Holly Hill Farm strives to provide healthy, organically grown food for the local community, and to foster good stewardship of the land by educating all ages about the practices of conservation and sustainable farming in a welcoming environment.
Serving our community for over 20 years!
Friends of Holly Hill Farm has been growing, teaching all ages, serving our community, and being good stewards of this land for over 20 years. In 2002, Frank and Jean White established the Friends as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that operates Holly Hill Farm. The farm is set among historic 17th century farm buildings on beautiful conservation land in Cohasset, Massachusetts.
WEDNESDAYS 9:00 am - 11:30 am
THURSDAYS 9:00 am - 11:30 am
FRIDAYS 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Sessions meet once per week
September 18 - December 20, 2024
For 13 weeks children can be a part of the exciting autumn energy on the farm. Not only will they learn about, care, and harvest (and even plant) seasonal vegetables and fruits and what helps them grow into healthy, organic food, they will also explore the connections every garden has with the rest of nature and even ourselves.
Explorations, activities, and experiences may include:
Each age group will be led by 1-2 experienced farm educators through a fluid, yet structured schedule that may include reading a story, hands-on learning, farming, ecological experiences, games, crafts, and more. Of course, there is always room for diversion, allowing educators to follow the children’s interests.
*Must be age 3 by their session start date and reliably potty-trained.
Registration Fees:
Current Family Level Membership ($75)
Tier A - $560
Tier B - $487
Tier C - $414
NO SESSIONS ON: 11/27, 11/29
Priced accordingly
TUESDAYS 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Session meets once per week
September 24 - November 19, 2024
Children will explore and create within the secret areas around the farm, including the woods, meadows, and Ice Pond. Each outing will open their eyes to new places and possibilities as they learn to navigate, observe, and create. Children may be using compasses, building full-size shelters and fairy homes, looking for insects, and more.
Registration Fees:
Current Family Level Membership ($75)
Tier A - $311
Tier B - $270
Tier C - $229
Mondays 4:00-6:00 pm
Session meets once per week
September 23 - November 18
There’s nothing like food prepared from the garden, except for when you work with others around an outdoor brick oven or propane stove to create these flavors. Children will work with our farm health coach and educator to prepare recipes, which may include various fall crops as they become ready throughout the season, flatbreads, soups, baked goods, rice bowls, chips, and more. Children will also learn how to prepare foods safely and healthfully.
Registration Fees:
Current Family Level Membership ($75)
Tier A - $352
Tier B - $306
Tier C - $260
(NO SESSION October 14, 2024)
THURSDAYS 4:00-6:00 pm
Session meets once per week
September 26 - November 21
Children will use a variety of skills to meet needs on the farm, as well as in the ecosystem around it. They may learn how to build in the gardens, design water systems, use alternative farming techniques, and much more. Or they may be citizen scientists and contribute to ecological and conservation work through observation and data collection while also studying how nature can inspire and inform our decisions. This may include species studies, pondlife under a microscope, and bio blitzes.
Registration Fees:
Current Family Level Membership ($75)
Tier A - $276
Tier B - $240
Tier C - $204
(NO SESSION 10/31/24)
1. SELECT YOUR PRICE TIER
We strive to make educational programming accessible to all ages. Tiered pricing allows families to choose the price that is right for their family, while also becoming more aware of the costs associated with putting on educational programs for each child. This program is voluntary and families are free to choose the tier that best suits their financial situation.
What are the tiers?
Tier A: Cost to run program + contribution to support tiered pricing
Tier B: Cost to run program
Tier C: Reduced price
If your family is unable to meet Tier C pricing, they can apply for additional scholarship funding through the Frank H. White Scholarship Fund.
If your family is able to choose a higher tier, it allows more children to access programming. Your support allows Friends of Holly Hill Farm to better utilize the charitable contributions we need to operate our non profit organization and continue with our mission of growing food for our community, educating all ages, and caring for this precious land and beloved barnyard animals.
2. MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED
All families must be current family-level members to register and participate. ($75)
Membership must be current to register and through the duration of your child's program.
3. NO SESSIONS ON
Monday, October 14
Thursday, October 31
Wednesday, November 27
Friday, November 29
SCHOLARSHIP INFO
Frank H. White Scholarship
To submit your scholarship request, complete the form here. Requests are reviewed in the order received. Please be aware that we have limited funds and may only be able to give up to 20% in funding (in addition to the Tier-C reduced cost).
Registration Check List:
CANCELLATION POLICY:
All cancellations must be made in writing.
Email us here to cancel: programs@hollyhillfarm.org
If cancellation made three (3)+ weeks prior to program start dates in writing. A refund minus $100 cancellation fee applies.
If a cancellation is requested in writing less than three (3) weeks prior to the program start date, no refund can be made. In the unlikely event we are able fill your spot on short notice, we will refund program fees, minus $100 administrative fee.
WEATHER RELATED CANCELLATIONS
In the event that Friends of Holly Hill Farm cancels or adjusts the program hours due to severe weather or circumstances beyond our control, we will notify families as soon as possible via email and text alerts. We will also try to post changes to our website as well. We encourage families to check their inboxes in the morning before heading to the farm.
If two or more days are canceled due to weather in a one week session, families will have the opportunity to have the additional days refunded, or the family can donate the amount to our nonprofit organization.
General Questions:
Q: The session has already started can my child still sign up?
A: Yes, simply sign up and email our office and we'll refund the difference for the sessions missed.
Q: How do I register?
A: New families who have not registered in 2022-2023 will need to set up a household account. Returning families simply login and make updates as needed and register. We always recommend setting up your account, loading all your children's health forms, checking your account and your children's info, etc.. in advance of registration day to help save you the time!
Q: I tried preregistering but it doesn't recognize my email?
A: If you already set up a household account on our registration site in 2022 or 2023, simply log in with the email you used. You can reset your password if needed. If you have not signed up for a program in 2022 or 2023 then set up a new account. Issues resetting your password? email us at programs@hollyhillfarm.org
Q: My child has already done a program at Holly Hill Farm a few years ago, why can't I just login ?
A: We launched a new registration system and website in 2022. All families/households are required to set up an account. The good news is you'll use this for future registrations and your records can easily be updated here by you anytime! Keep your login info handy as you'll need it again.
Q: What if I don't have my child's health care letter from their provider? Or it is old? Or they haven't had a physical yet this year?
A: You must submit a letter to complete your registration online - the system will not let you skip this step. State and local health administrations require us to receive and review these letters and visits/letters must be current (less than 16 months from the start of their program). Upload the most recent copy you have when registering. Later on go back into your child's profile and scroll to the bottom to upload their new new letter (make sure to do this by May 1, 2024).
Q: I already uploaded their physician's letter on this site before. Why do I need to again?
A: Our system only keeps letters for six months. We are required to review recent letters prior to each program. As long as your letter/visit is dated less than 16 months from start of session you are registering for, it is good in our system for 6 months.
Q: I attached my child's physical/immunization letter and the window keeps popping up. It doesn't say it was uploaded.
A: Sometimes the system does that due to a technical glitch - even though the upload went through correctly. If for some reason your letter upload didn't go through it will prompt you to upload again at check out. If it does not prompt you, then you are all set. If it continues to give you issues you should make sure your file type meets the requirements it states. (JPG, PNG, DOC, DOCX and PDF files accepted)
Q: Due to documented exemptions my child only has their annual physical letter but no vaccination records. What do I do?
A: Upload a copy of the physician's recent physical letter with the child's clearance to participate in school, or sports, camps (missing the vaccination records) and a copy of the religious exemption document. If you have questions direct to programs@hollyhillfarm.org
Q: My child has allergies and/or may require medicine. Is there a form I need to complete?
A: Our Medicine Authorization Form, found on our program registration site should be completed by September 16, 2024. FHHF staff can only administer EpiPens and inhalers. We do not administer any other form of medication.
Q: Is this a drop off or can I stay with my child?
A: Fall programming is a drop-off program. However, of course, if you child needs help easing in we understand if they need a little help from you!
Q: If the program(s) I want is/are filled is there a wait list?
A: Yes, you can register for a waitlist for the week(s) you want on the registration site. We will notify interested applicants if openings become available based on the order received. We will contact you via email if a spot opens up. We will give you a set amount of time to reply before we go to the next person. Emails come from programs@hollyhillfarm.org "Friends of Holly Hill Farm Programs".
Q: What if I'm interested in scholarship opportunities, do I need to register?
A: This year we are offering Tiered-Pricing. Tier-C is a reduced cost of participation. If your family is requesting additional support, complete the form here. Requests are reviewed in the order received. Please be aware that we have limited funds and may only be able to give up to 20% in funding (in addition to the Tier-C reduced cost).
Q: I booked a week but want to swap it for another week that is available - can I do that?
A: Our cancellation policy applies to the original session you are now wishing to cancel. A fee of $100 will be applied prior to refund if you are cancelling more than 3 weeks from your program start. If you are cancelling less than 3 week from the start of the program, there is no refund. *Exception: requests to swap the same child into a different week’s session made within 72 hours of original registration and by March 15, 2024 can be granted with a fee of $50. Requests to switch after this date are subject to our full cancellation policy as stated above.
Q: We are on the waitlist. How are we notified?
A: If a spot becomes available we will contact you by email and you will have approximately 24 hours to reply (we will call if less than 24 hours and the session starts soon). The email will state the deadline to reply. If we do not hear from you we will go to the next in line.
We can't wait for a fun-filled night on the farm with you! And, its our most important fundraiser of the year. Help ensure we can keep growing, teaching, caring for the land, and providing this precious natural setting to all.