Educational Field Trips
Thank you for your interest in bringing a group to Countryside Orchard. We love to host groups and help visitors learn more about our farm. Field trips/group outings are mainly scheduled July-October, as these are the months we have fruit in production. Visits are usually scheduled for 10:00 am (CT); however, we may be able to work with your unique scheduling needs. Our fee is $6 per child ($120 minimum). Chaperones and drivers are free.
This is an OUTDOOR experience. Please encourage your group to dress appropriately for the weather. Closed-toe shoes (not sandals) are recommended for walking through the orchard. Our bathroom facility is a portable toilet, and we suggest students bring a bottle of drinking water.
School-age group programs last about 90 minutes and typically include:
-- an experiential "tour" of the orchard with information “stops” with activities/clues to lead groups to the next info station
-- a group debrief and discussion of agriculture, growing seasons, and orchard basics
-- each child will get to pick a piece of fruit (type is dependent upon what is ripe during the visit -- peaches, apples, pumpkins)
Preschool/Daycare programs are designed for ages 3-6 and typically last 45 minutes, not including transition times.
-- a short "tour" of the orchard with age-appropriate activities
-- Storytime under the trees with one of the orchard farmers
-- each child will get to pick a piece of fruit (type is dependent upon what is ripe during the visit -- peaches, apples, pumpkins)
We can accommodate groups up to 50 students per field trip session. The program works best when we break the group into five "teams" of 5-8 for the tour. Each small group needs a counselor/chaperone.
We can also accommodate groups wishing to picnic lunch before or after the orchard trip.