Wright-Locke Farm’s youth programs offer children a unique, hands-on experience learning about farming and the natural world on our historic working farm. For each child, we aim to inspire curiosity about the natural world, foster a sense of comfort in the outdoors, and develop a sense of respect for living things. All of our programs include lessons and activities related to agriculture and the environment using our fields, pastures, barns, woods, and farm animals as a living classroom. Specific subjects include Wright-Locke farm animals (goats, chickens, honey bees), farm operations, outdoor exploration, and plant growth.
We have instituted tiered pricing for all of our youth programs. Please choose the price that works best for your family—regardless of which tier you select, everyone enjoys the same program! If you are able, please select Tier A or Tier B while registering to make tiered pricing possible.
Interested in a group visit or enrichment program? Please email us at FarmEd@WLFarm.org!
Please use this link to log in or create an account in our system.
Last year we transitioned to a new system!
If you had an account in our previous registration system:
- Select “Forgot your login information?” and check “I need to reset my password.” Choose your preferred way of resetting your password (text or email). On the next screen, your username is the email that is associated with our previous registration system. If you have issues resetting your password, please email FarmEd@WLFarm.org
If you did not have an account in our previous system:
- Select “New User.” Complete the subsequent forms to create your account.
Once you have logged in and created an account you will be able to browse our available sessions!
If you encounter any issues, please contact our Youth Programs Manager with any questions.
Payment & Refund Policy:
- Online payments can be made via the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover
- Payment for a youth program, made by credit card, check, or cash, must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the program’s start date. Failure to comply may result in the loss of your child’s spot in the program for which payment is owed.
- Tuition refunds are guaranteed up to 30 days prior to the start date of a program minus a $10 administrative fee. Cancellations within the 30 days prior to the program are nonrefundable if the child’s spot cannot be filled. (If the spot can be filled, a 50% refund minus the $10 administrative fee will be given.)
- There will be no tuition refunds for cancellations made after a program has begun.
- No full or partial tuition refund or credit will be given for a child’s failure to attend any part of a program for which they are registered.
- We will make every effort to adapt programs to the weather or reschedule if possible. In the event that we must cancel a program due to weather and we are unable to reschedule, the program tuition is nonrefundable.
Updated January 5, 2023.
Photo & Video Policy:
- The Conservancy may take photos and digital video footage of activities throughout the educational program season for record keeping and publicity purposes. Participant names are never used in connection with these photos or videos.
Liability Statement (Permission for the Conservancy to handle emergencies):
- I realize injuries can occur from participation in Farm programs. I hereby waive, release, absolve, indemnify, and agree to hold harmless the Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy, Inc., their Board of Directors, instructors, or assignees, and the Town of Winchester from any claim arising out of injury to my child or myself. Should my child be taken to the hospital for emergency purposes, I hereby grant permission to the attending physician and staff to administer anesthesia, medical, X-ray, and surgical procedures as may be deemed necessary or advisable. I understand that every attempt will be made to contact me in an emergency.
As part of Wright-Locke Farm’s goal to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization, we have instituted tiered pricing across all of our youth education programming. This allows families to choose the price that works best for them, reducing the cost-barrier to our programs. The tiers are calculated as follows:
- Tier A: 50% above the standard cost
- Tier B: 15% above the standard cost
- Tier C: The standard cost (what we normally charge for each participant)
- Tier D: 25% below the standard cost
- Tier E: 50% below the standard cost
Please select the price that is best for your family. If you are able, please consider selecting Tier A or Tier B prices. Families that register at these prices help support other children’s participation in our programs.
In addition to our tiered prices, limited financial assistance is available for all farm education programs. To request additional assistance, please email FarmEd@WLFarm.org.
Fall 2023
Session 1: 9/11 – 10/23
Session 2: 10/25 – 12/8
Registration for both sessions is OPEN! You can register HERE.
Join us for another 6-week session of programming at Wright-Locke Farm! Participants will come to the farm once a week to explore a variety of topics focused on the farm, our animals, signs of the changing season, and the adjacent Whipple Hill Conservation Area. In addition to new topics each week, children will help with our chicken and goat chores as well as spending some time in the kitchen with chef Kelcy! These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Please note that this program is for children 4 years and older. ($120-$360) Tiered pricing available.
Friday 10am-12pm
Session 1: 9/15 – 10/20
Session 2: 10/27 – 12/8
*We will not meet 11/24*
Join us for another 6-week session of programming at Wright-Locke Farm! Participants will come to the farm once a week to explore a variety of topics focused on the farm, our animals, signs of the changing season, and the adjacent Whipple Hill Conservation Area. In addition to new topics each week, children will help with our chicken and goat chores as well as spending some time in the kitchen with chef Kelcy! These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. ($120-$360) Tiered pricing available.
Monday
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Session 1: 9/11 – 10/23
Session 2: 10/30 – 12/4
*We will not meet 10/9*
Wednesday
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Session 1: 9/13 – 10/18
Session 2: 10/25 – 12/6
*We will not meet 11/22*
Join us for another 6-week session of programming at Wright-Locke Farm! Participants will come to the farm once a week to explore a variety of topics focused on the farm, our animals, signs of the changing season, and the adjacent Whipple Hill Conservation Area. In addition to new topics each week, children will help with our chicken and goat chores as well as spending some time in the kitchen with chef Kelcy! These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. ($120-$360) Tiered pricing available.
Tuesday
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Session 2: 10/31 – 12/5
Thursday
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Session 1: 9/14 – 10/19
Session 2: 10/26 – 12/7
*We will not meet 11/23*
We are back with our Kitchen Hybrid Program! Join us for six weeks of after school fun! Week 1 and 6 will be completely outdoors but weeks 2-5 we will split our time between the farm and the kitchen. We will start our days by preparing delicious food with Chef Kelcy and then take a break to snack on our culinary creations! After we will set out to explore Whipple Hill, do our chicken and goat chores, and deepen our connection to the natural environment around us. The cost of this program as a little higher than our others to accommodate local food costs. ($130-$390) Tiered pricing available.
Tuesday
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Session 1: 9/12 – 10/17
During this 6 week program we’ll explore the world through the camera’s lens together. In this class, we’ll use fun activities to learn about creative camera settings, composition, lighting and shadows, and posing.
We’ll do some fun ‘trick’ photography, portraits, documentary style photography and talk about the fundamentals of image creation using an exercise with cyanotype fabric. We’ll spend time exploring Wright Locke Farm as part of our documentary lesson and use the farm animals as our subjects.
Requirements : A digital camera is required, this can be a dslr, point and shoot or even a mobile phone camera.
Wednesday
3:30pm – 5:30 pm
Session 1: 9/6 – 10/11
*Please note that this program starts one week earlier than our other programs!*
Join us for our fall Sprouts season at Wright-Locke Farm! Sprouts and a caregiver will come to the farm once a week to explore a variety of topics focused on the farm, our animals, signs of the changing season as we near winter, and the adjacent Whipple Hill Conservation Area. These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. This program is for children 2 and 3 years old with a caregiver. ($68-$203) Tiered pricing available.
Tuesday
9am-9:45am
10am-10:45am
11am-11:45am
Session 1: 9/12 – 10/17
Session 2: 10/31 – 12/5
Thursday
9am-9:45am
10am-10:45am
11am-11:45am
Session 1: 9/14 – 10/19
Session 2: 10/26 – 12/7
*We will not meet on 11/23*
Collaborative Programming
Please note that each of the collaborative programs have varied registration guidelines and pricing.
If a program’s registration is managed by Wright-Locke Farm, please make sure that you have created an account in our system and that all information is accurate before our registration date. Please use this link to log in and update your information.
Winchester Public Library at Wright-Locke Farm
Come and enjoy our seasonal Story Walk: Hot Dog by Doug Salati
This .5 mile self-guided walk is flat and approachable for all little legs and jogging strollers. Start at the Pond Loop and meander on the loop through the woods. Read the story as you walk; stop and listen for the bull frogs and birds; find some budding flowers; and enjoy the shade of the woods. Bring a water bottle and a snack and relax at the farm.
Free and open to the public during Farm hours (dawn to dusk).
Questions? Email FarmEd@wlfarm.org
Wednesdays 10:30-11:15, Starting in September FULL
We are humbled by the positive response and interest in this program. Thank you! We anticipated that this would be a small pilot and instead, have be overwhelmed by families who wish to participate. We are currently over capacity. We are trying to regroup to see if we can accommodate more families. We appreciate your patience!
The first Wednesday of each month, Wright-Locke Farm will offer a guided experience for homeschool families with school aged children (kindergarten and above). During those visits, we will explore topics related to the farm, the season, and outdoor adventures, as well as visit with and take care of the farm animals. After the club meets with one of our educators, you are encouraged to spend time with each other at the farm.
Homeschool families will be welcome to use the farm space as they see fit during the other Wednesdays of the month, for free! Please contact FarmEd@wlfarm.org to let us know you’ll be coming by!
Guided Experiences
When: The First Wednesday of each month – (September 6, October 4, November 1, December 6) from 10:30 – 11:15
Where: We will meet outside of The 1827 Barn at Wright-Locke Farm at 10:30.
Cost: Tiered Pricing
Tier A: $18/family (pay-it-forward)
Tier B: $15/family (cost to run the guided visits)
Tier C: $12/family (reduced price)
Age: Child must be school aged (kindergarten and older) and accompanied by an adult; siblings welcome
Parking: please park at the All Seasons Barn, 82 Ridge Street – follow the path around the building to The 1827 Barn (GPS 78 Ridge Street).
Please contact FarmEd@wlfarm.org if you have any questions!
Arts & Nature Program for Youth
Farming, Photography, Music, Pottery
Winchester’s Wright Locke Farm, The Griffin Museum, Winchester Community Music School, and Studio on the Common are excited to announce a unique afterschool class for youth, aged 11-14.
Enrollment is open for students who will enjoy three weeks of programming at each site – the Farm, the Griffin, the Music School, and Studio on the Common’s Pottery Studio. There will be a final meeting for participants, family, and friends for a special “informance” to show off our work together.
Day & Time: Thursdays, 4:00-5:30 PM
Dates: September 14 through December 14 (no meeting on November 23); final meeting will be an “informance” for family and friends on December 14 (total of 13 weeks)
Tuition: $495 per student
Limit: 10 students
Wright Locke Farm – September 14, 21, 28
Join us for three weeks of outdoor exploration at Wright-Locke Farm! We will learn about our natural environment by exploring Whipple Hill and taking care of our chickens and goats! Our goal is to better understand the ecosystem around us while gaining respect for our natural world.
Griffin Museum – October 5, 12, 19
In this three-week workshop, discover how to create and compose meaningful images, and tell a compelling story through your photos. Learn the fundamentals of lighting, how lighting impacts composition, and the approach to creating strong frames for your photographs. The use of any camera that reflects your voice is encouraged — equipment may include SLR’s, DSLR’s, point & shoot cameras, instant film, or phones.
Winchester Community Music School – October 26, November 2, 9
Learn GarageBand and make your own music! In the three weeks students spend at Winchester Community Music School, they will learn how to make music from scratch using the fundamental concepts of GarageBand. Using their own device (or borrow one from WCMS) they’ll discover various musical loops to help produce their own music. Once you know the basics, you are on your way to creating and producing your own songs!
Studio on the Common (Pottery Studio) – November 16, 30, Dec 7
Ceramics and Pottery on the Wheel at Studio on the Common! In the three weeks students spend at the Studio, they will learn Wheel Throwing and Ceramics Art in our cozy pottery studio across from the Winchester Common. The studio is fully equipped with 10 wheels, two kilns, and all the equipment, glazes, materials, and skilled instruction needed to begin (or continue) your potter’s journey!
Registration open!
Click on this link to register.
For registration inquiries, email jean@studioonthecommon.com.
Tween Yoga with Susan Lewis
Want to start your Sunday morning both relaxed and energized for the day ahead? Tween yoga can help! Susan Lewis, a certified yoga instructor, will tailor classes to the experience level and moods of the group—from gentle stretching to challenging balancing poses to mindful meditation. Learn practices for de-stressing and staying focussed throughout the day.
When: Sundays, starting September 24th, from 10:00-10:45 a.m.
Location: All Seasons Barn or The 1827 Barn
Pricing: Tiered Pricing Available (registration coming soon!)
Tier A — $20 (pay-it-forward)
Tier B — $15 (cost to run the class)
Tier C — $10 (reduced price)
Walk-ins Welcome (please pay by cash or check made out to Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy)
Age: 11-14 years old
Equipment: yoga mat (if you have one) and a water bottle
About Susan: Susan Lewis is a middle school science teacher with a passion for yoga, mindfulness, and other wellness practices. She completed her 200-hr yoga teacher training with YogaFit and has been leading yoga clubs at her school for many years. She loves helping tweens find ways to de-stress, stay healthy, and navigate the ups-and-downs of adolescence.
Wright-Locke Farm and Lexington Community Farm (LexFarm) are excited to offer a collaborative program for babies one morning per week!
Come explore the wonder of the farm with your baby! This class is designed for babies ages 6 -18 months with a caregiver. Babies will be introduced to activities with natural materials and seasonal items from the garden. Babies and caregivers will have opportunities to socialize, play, sing and learn about engaging our littlest farmers in outdoor play. Two early childhood educators from Wright-Locke Farm and LexFarm will lead the class.
Max enrollment: eight families (families with multiple babies encouraged, but no tag-along siblings over 18 months please!).
Tier A 50% above the standard cost, $135.00
Tier B 15% above the standard cost, $103.50
Tier C The standard cost (what we normally charge for each participant), $90.00
Tier D 15% below the standard cost, $76.50
Tier E 30% below the standard cost, $63.00
Frequently Asked Questions
You will sign your child up for the grade they will be in the Fall of 2023!
Please note our PreK/K program is for children 4 years and older.
No! Generally we will always spend time visiting our goats and chickens, hiking and playing games. We are so lucky that New England has so much variety to offer us as an outdoor program! In the spring we can explore our ponds and flower fields searching for critters waking up from the winter. In the fall we take advantage of the short days and go on ‘night’ hikes listening for owls, learning about the night sky and nocturnal animals. There’s no shortage of topics to cover and we change up our curriculum every session.
We ask that all snacks are nut free as nut allergies have become more common! Thanks for helping to keep all our participants safe.
During the fall and spring we ask that you only sign up for one day a week but you are welcome to join for both sessions!
Reach out to us! You can email farmed@wlfarm.org or call our Youth Programs Manager at 781-369-9099.
Financial Assistance
In addition to our tiered prices, limited financial assistance is available for all farm education programs. To request additional assistance, please email FarmEd@WLFarm.org.
Group Visits & Enrichment Programs
Are you interested in having your class, group, or organization come to Wright-Locke Farm for an education or volunteer-oriented visit? Or would you like the Farm to come to your school or group for an in-house enrichment program? Please contact our Enrichment Coordinator, Lauren Winterer, to book a future farm visit or enrichment program.
Please note that we typically host farm visits April through October, on Mondays and Wednesdays during school hours, but we do operate for the full 12-month year. If Mondays/Wednesdays do not work for your program, please let us know and we can work with accommodating your schedule.
Off-farm, year-round enrichment programs can be hosted at your location as our schedule allows.
Pricing and scheduling can be individualized to your school’s or program’s needs.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Youth Programs Manager
Farm education programs are generously supported by the Cummings Foundation and the John and Mary Murphy Foundation. You can support the Farm by making a donation.