Summer Programs ~ 2023 ~ Register Now
Registration is open!
Family-Level Membership+ required to register and attend. Buy your membership here today.
Connecting kids ages 3-15 to the natural world
At Friends of Holly Hill Farm, we seek to connect children to nature in a way that will stick with them for life! During our summer programs children ages 3–15 make new friends, explore, adventure, and connect with the natural landscape and all of its wonderful creatures that inhabit it!
Students experience life on a working certified organic and regenerative farm - plus explore surrounding conservation areas, meadows, woods, and Ice Pond. Children may learn to care for our beloved farm animals, observe native wildlife, participate in sustainable farming, create art inspired by nature, get out and explore, and use our unique natural learning space to explore science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) too!
Our programs and curriculum are tailored to your child's specific age group. Finding ways to engage and excite children from ages 3-15! Our programs offer a way for children to "graduate" to the next level summer after summer and learn new things every year!
2023 Sessions
- June one-day afterschool activities for ages 8-12 too! (NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED. Sibling discount does not apply). Mondays - Thursdays : June: 5-29
Current membership is required to register and participate in all summer programs ($75)
SUMMER HALF-DAY and FULL DAY SESSIONS + Early Drop off Available (MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED)
Early drop off 8 - 9 am
Half Day 9 am -1 pm (bring a lunch)
Full Day 9 am - 3 pm (bring a lunch)
(Ages 3-5, 6-8, 9-13, CIT ages 12-15) * see descriptions below for all programming)
Week 1: June 5 - June 9
Week 2: June 12- June 16
Week 3: June 19 - June 23 (No sessions Monday, June 19, pro-rated fee)
Week 4: June 26 - June 30
Week 5: July 3 - July 8 (No sessions Tuesday, July 4, pro-rated fee)
Week 6: July 10- July 14
Week 7: July 17 - July 21
Week 8: July 24- July 28
Week 9: July 31 - August 4
Week 10: August 7 - August 11
Week 11: August 14 - August 18
Week 12: August 21 - August 25
Week 13: August 28 - September 1
Family Membership support allows us to continue our mission of growing, teaching, harvesting, providing community programming, and conserving this precious land... today, and for years to come! In addition to private members-only access to our annual organic plant sale (one of the largest of its kind in the area), discounts on: workshops, vacation week children's programming, special events like Farm Fest - another great reason to become a family level member is early registration for our summer education programs!*
SCHOLARSHIPS are available. Submit your request here by February 4, 2023 to hear back before registration opens. Scholarships can be applied for after this date as well. We have limited funds and are only able to give up to 30% at this time. We strive our best to make them available and accessible to all.
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.
Important Information - Read
What you'll need to register:
- Annual physical and immunization forms (JPG, PNG, DOC, DOCX and PDF files accepted) - even if you have in the past you may need to upload a more current one to complete registration.
- Emergency and pick up contact info
- Complete our required 5 short medical/info questions
- Complete our "t-shirt size" form
- Credit card
NEW families: We recommend setting up your family account in our registration system here PRIOR TO registration day. And, upload your children's annual physical and immunizations form directly into their profile.
RETURNING families: We recommend checking your family account you set up in 2022 and all members who you plan to register by clicking here - PRIOR TO registration day. Add any new children to your household. If you have not uploaded a new health form in the last 6 months you may need to do so in order to register. We recommend doing this in advance to save you time on registration day.
BEFORE you register:
- Active Membership is required ($75 Family) (no membership req'd for June afterschool programs - only)
- Membership should be current before you go to our registration site register (if you forget, don't worry , do it after you register)
- Your membership must be good through the date of your child's program to participate.
- To join or renew click here now. Note, memberships are purchased on our main website, not our program registration site this year.
- Our office will be following up with registered families who have expired memberships.
- Memberships are good for one year from the date of purchase - always.
- Note: expiration dates shown on your registration household account are not your true expiration date - please ignore them. Your membership is always good for one full year from the date of purchase. Even if it shows you as "expired" you will still be able to register. This date was date stamped by the program for the duration of a particular program your child signed up for in the past. Ignore this date.
- To be part of our early members-only registration day join or renew by Feb. 6.
- Frequently asked questions - click here
PRICING:
All families must be current family-level members to register and participate. To join or renew click here.
- Half Day 9 am-1 pm: $310*
- Full Day 9 am-3 pm: $450*
- Counselor in Training 1/2 day: $75
- Counselor in Training Full Day: $150
*Week of June 19 and July 4 are four-day weeks and rates are prorated.
Save 15% when you register a sibling for the same week!
Scholarships are available.
New this year! Children will receive one complimentary sustainable FHHF t-shirt made from 50% recycled water bottles, 25% organic cotton and 25% recycled fibers!
AGE REQUIREMENTS:
Children must meet the age requirements for summer program sessions by June 5, 2023.
(i.e. must be 3, 4, or 5 years old by June 5 to join Garden Goats, or must be age 6, 7, or 8 by June 5 to join Monarchs, etc..).
Cancellations:
We require notice in writing at least 3 weeks prior to the start date of your program. A $100 cancellation fee will be deducted from your refund.*
Cancellations made less than 3 weeks from the start date of your session will not be refunded. In the unlikely event we are able to fill your spot last minute, we will refund you and deduct a $100 cancellation fee from your refund.
* *UPDATED 2/17/23: Requests to switch from one week to another or to cancel must be done within the first 72 hours after registering and before March 15,2023. After March 15, 2023 our regular cancellation policy above applies (3+ weeks $100 fee) (less than 3 weeks, no refund).
Email us here to cancel: programs@hollyhillfarm.org
Ages 3-5
Garden Goats
New this year - more groups available in 2023!
This widely popular program is a terrific introduction to growing, working, and playing in an outdoor setting. During the week, children make frequent trips to visit the chickens, goats, donkey, and pony, getting to know the animal’s habits, what they eat, and even their individual characters. In addition, they will plant and grow various crops, some of which they will bring home in their own decorated pots, and explore the red wigglers and other creatures of compost. Finally, the children will have adventures in the natural areas outside of the growing areas, including the Ice Pond, where they will find insects, amphibians, and all sorts of other creatures that use or make the pond their home. And along this journey, there will be many crafts, games, songs, and stories.
One week session.
Half and full days.
Weeks available:
Weeks 1-13: June 5 -August 28
*Must be age 3 by June 5, 2023 and reliably potty-trained.
*The weeks of June 19 and July 4 are four-day weeks and priced accordingly.
Questions about age requirements?
Ages 6-8
Monarchs
Our farm features many habitats, including growing areas, meadows, woods, marsh, and diverse flora & fauna. Children in this group will experience them all. Each day, we will work in the gardens, witnessing the plant’s cycle from seed to plant to flower to fruit while also performing chores to ensure the plants’ health and production of wonderful organic foods. We will also head out beyond the gardens with tools and strategies to explore and observe the wonders of nature, including pollinating insects, pond and marsh dwellers, life under rocks and logs, geological formations, and more. During these times, children will be able to collect simple data, record observations, make connections and predictions, create models, play games, and just have fun being immersed in the natural world.
One week sessions
Half and full days.
Weeks available:
June 5-September 1, 2023*
*Must be age 6 by June 5, 2023
Questions about age requirements?
*The weeks of June 19 and July 4 are four-day weeks and priced accordingly.
Ages 9-13
Creativity & Cooking with Nature
Children will experiment with different artforms and cooking techniques while exploring the natural beauty of Holly Hill Farm. They may paint a meadow landscape with watercolors, draw the Tomato Barn with pencil or other tools, sculpt an animal out of clay, constructs leaf mandalas and stone and shell mosaics, and weave with grasses from the fields and marshes. And each day will include a new set of recipes that utilize produce they harvest from our gardens. In the end, they will create art for all senses.
One week sessions
Half and full days.
Weeks available:
Week 2: June 12 week
Week 5: July 3 week*
Week 8: July 24 week
Week 11: August 14 week
Must be age 9 by June 5, 2023 to register
Questions about age requirements?
*The week of July 4 is a four-day week and priced accordingly.
Outdoor Adventure
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 will use compasses, practice basic survival skills, build shelters, create civilizations, quest, and more during these adventurous weeks.
One week sessions
Half and full days.
Weeks available:
Week 3: June 19 week*
Week 6: July 10 week
Week 9: July 31 week
Week 12: August 21 week
Must be age 9 by June 5, 2023 in order to register.
Questions about age requirements?
*The week of June 19 is four-day week and priced accordingly.
Summer STEAM
Children will learn how to be both citizen scientists and engineers while studying aspects of nature and agriculture that can inspire and inform our decisions. This may include species studies, pondlife under a microscope, removal of invasive species, planting of natives, bio blitzes, biomimicry designs, planting techniques, water studies and solutions, boat building, experiments, and much more.
One week sessions
Half and full days.
Weeks available:
Week 1: June 5 week
Week 4: June 26 week
Week 7: July 17 week
Week 10: August 7 week
Week 13: August 28 week
Must be age 9 by June 5, 2023 in order to register.
Questions about age requirements?
Counselor-in-Training
AGES 12-15
Learn about all the details and nuances of working with young kids (ages 3-8) while becoming a confident, resourceful teacher. All counselors-in-training (CITs) will work with the lead teacher to gain experience and insight to activities and ways to thoughtfully engage the younger campers in an outdoor setting. Certificates of completion will be handed out at week’s end and perhaps propel these counselors to return in a following year as a high school assistant teacher. CIT registrants must be willing to always be attentive to camper needs.
Half and full days.
Weeks available:
June 5-August 28, 2023*
*The weeks of June 19 & July 4 are four-day weeks.
Must be age 12 by June 5, 2023 in order to participate
Ages 12-15 Counselor in Training (CIT)
CIT
AGES 12-15
Learn about all the details and nuances of working with young kids (ages 3-8) while becoming a confident, resourceful teacher. All counselors-in-training (CITs) will work with the lead teacher to gain experience and insight to activities and ways to thoughtfully engage the younger campers in an outdoor setting. Certificates of completion will be handed out at week’s end and perhaps propel these counselors to return in a following year as a high school assistant teacher. CIT registrants must be willing to always be attentive to camper needs.
*The weeks of June 19 & July 4 are four-day weeks and priced accordingly.
Must be age 12 by June 5, 2023 in order to participate
Half and full days.
Weeks available:
June 5-August 28, 2023*
*The weeks of June 19 and July 4 are four-day weeks and priced accordingly.
Must be age 12 by June 5, 2023 in order to participate.
Early drop off
Does your child want to join us for an extra hour on the farm before sessions start for the day? Do you need have a busy morning or need to get to work?
Early drop off makes it fun for them...and easy on you!
Children will be with a teacher, they may explore some of the early morning happenings on the farm, listen to a story, create in the barn, play outdoors or enjoy the beautiful morning and socialize with us and friends!
Sign up for one morning, or all mornings of your child's session.*
Can be added at time of registration or as the dates draw closer.
$15 day.
Ages 3-15
Must be registered for a half or full day programs the same week, in order to participate.
*June 19 & July 4 are observed holidays and there will be no programs on these days.
June Afterschool Programs for Ages 8-12
Arts & Crafts
(Click photo to register)
Children will use and learn different artforms and crafts while exploring the natural beauty of Holly Hill Farm.
Available June 7 & 22.
4-6 pm
Ages 8-12
Summer Cooking
(Click photo to register)
Children will prepare and cook recipes - such as flatbreads, soups, and salsas - with fresh produce from the gardens.
Available June 8 & 21
4-6 pm
Ages 8-12
Games on the Farm
(Click photo to register)
Children will learn and play many outdoor and barn games, including camouflage, fairy tag, Dragon Ball, Insect Bingo, and more.
Available June 12 & 27
4-6 pm
Ages 8-12
Outdoor Adventure
(Click photo to register)
Children will embark on an adventurous exploration of the woods and farm using compasses and other orienteering skills.
Available June 6
4-6 pm
Ages 8-12
Nature Scavenger Hunt
(Click photo to register)
Children will try to find as many species of insects, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, birds, fish, and plants as possible in the diverse habitats surrounding the farm.
Available June 13 & 28
4-6 pm
Ages 8-12
Shelter Building
(Click photo to register)
Children will learn different primitive techniques for building shelters in the woods and then put those techniques to use as they build their own versions out of branches, vines, reeds, leaves, and more.
Available June 5 & 20
4-6 pm
Ages 8-12
Farming
(Click photo to register)
Children will help plant and care for the gardens, as well as take care of the animals.
Available June 15 & 26
4-6pm
Ages 8-12
Spring Wreaths
(Click photo to register)
Children will create decorative wreaths with flowers and greens growing wild or in the gardens.
Available June 14 & 29
4-6pm
Ages 8-12