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 $15 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 17, 2024.
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.
Spring 2024
Register HERE
Our beloved Sprouts program is going through some changes we are really excited about, so please make sure to read this description!
Join us for 9 weeks of our Sprouts and caregiver program as we watch the farm come alive. This is for children 2 and 3 years old accompanied by a caregiver. From snowy mornings to planting our own seeds in our education garden we will explore the farm with our senses and let curiosity lead the way! Each week we will explore new topics while also making time to visit some fan favorites like our chickens and goats. While this is an amazing opportunity for our tiniest farmers to explore the farm, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to connect with like minded caregivers and get helpful tips on how to engage kiddos in the outdoors.
Our session will run from 3/26 – 5/29
We will not meet the week of April Break 4/15
Tuesday Mornings
9:15am – 10:15am
10:30am – 11:30am
Wednesday Mornings
9:15am – 10:15am
10:30am – 11:30am
Come watch the farm come alive this spring! Participants will come to the farm once a week to explore a variety of topics focused on the farm, our animals, signs of the season (let’s cross our fingers for some snow before things warm up!), and the adjacent Whipple Hill Conservation Area. In addition to new topics each week, children will help with our chicken and goat chores. This includes bringing food and water to the animals and collecting the chickens’ eggs! These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Tiered Pricing Available ($120-$360).
This program is for children 4 years and older.
Session 1: 3/1 – 4/5
Session 2: 4/22 – 5/31
Friday Mornings
10am-12pm
Come watch the farm come alive this spring! Participants will come to the farm once a week to explore a variety of topics focused on the farm, our animals, signs of the season (let’s cross our fingers for some snow before things warm up!), and the adjacent Whipple Hill Conservation Area. In addition to new topics each week, children will help with our chicken and goat chores. This includes bringing food and water to the animals and collecting the chickens’ eggs! These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Tiered Pricing Available ($120-$360).
Session 1: 2/26 – 4/3
Session 2: 4/22 – 6/3
Monday Afternoons
3:30pm – 5:30pm
No programming on 5/27
Wednesday Afternoons
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Come watch the farm come alive this spring! Participants will come to the farm once a week to explore a variety of topics focused on the farm, our animals, signs of the season (let’s cross our fingers for some snow before things warm up!), and the adjacent Whipple Hill Conservation Area. In addition to new topics each week, children will help with our chicken and goat chores. This includes bringing food and water to the animals and collecting the chickens’ eggs! These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Tiered Pricing Available ($120-$360).
Session 1: 2/27 – 4/4
Session 2: 4/23 – 5/30
Tuesday Afternoons
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Thursday Afternoons
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Join us for another 6-week session of in-person programs 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 season, and the adjacent Whipple Hill Conservation Area for half of each day. The other half will be spent in the kitchen making delicious food with our farm chef Kelcy. These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors and our food system, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Please note that the cost of this program is a little higher than our typical outdoor program to cover food costs. Tiered pricing available ($130-$390).
*This program is only offered during session 2*
*We will be handling eggs, dairy, and wheat*
Session 2: 4/25 – 5/30
Thursday Afternoons
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Come spend your April Break with us at the farm! Take advantage of week outside exploring all that spring has to offer. We will explore the woods and ponds, tend to our education garden and help with our chicken and goat chores. This includes bringing food and water to the animals and collecting the chickens’ eggs! These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Tiered Pricing Available ($120-$360).
Monday – Friday Morning
9am – 12pm
Come spend your April Break with us at the farm! Take advantage of week outside exploring all that spring has to offer. We will explore the woods and ponds, tend to our education garden and help with our chicken and goat chores. This includes bringing food and water to the animals and collecting the chickens’ eggs! These programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Tiered Pricing Available ($120-$360).
Monday – Friday Afternoon
1pm – 4pm
Summer 2024
Register HERE
We ask that folks only sign up for two weeks per summer to allow everyone to enjoy the farm. Thank you for your understanding!
Come spend your summer with us! We will learn about the lush environment around us, explore adjacent Whipple Hill, care for our goats and chickens, and of course we will play some games and make friends along the way! These half day week long programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors and where our food comes from, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Tiered pricing available ($150-$405).
This program is for children 4 years and older.
Morning Sessions: 9am-12pm
June 17-21*
June 24-28
July 1-3*
July 8-12
July 15-19
August 5-9
August 19-23
Afternoon Sessions: 1pm-4pm
June 17-21*
July 22-26
July 29 – August 2
August 12-16
*Short week due to holiday*
Come spend your summer with us! We will learn about the lush environment around us, explore adjacent Whipple Hill, care for our goats and chickens, and of course we will play some games and make friends along the way! These half day week long programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors and where our food comes from, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Tiered pricing available ($150-$405).
Morning Sessions: 9am-12pm
June 24-28
July 1-3*
July 8-12: Kitchen Hybrid
July 15-19
July 22-26
July 29 – August 2
August 12-16
August 19-23
Afternoon Sessions: 1pm-4pm
July 8-12
July 15-19
July 22-26
July 29 – August 2: Kitchen Hybrid
*Short week due to holiday*
Come spend your summer with us! We will learn about the lush environment around us, explore adjacent Whipple Hill, care for our goats and chickens, and of course we will play some games and make friends along the way! These half day week long programs aim to facilitate a connection with the outdoors and where our food comes from, develop a love of learning, and foster curiosity. Tiered pricing available ($150-$405).
Morning Sessions: 9am-12pm
July 22-26
July 29 – August 2: Kitchen Hybrid
Afternoon Sessions: 1pm-4pm
June 24-28
July 1-3*
July 8-12: Kitchen Hybrid
August 5-9
August 19-23
*Short week due to July 4th*
We are back with our Kitchen Hybrid Program! Join us for six weeks of after school fun! During this one week half day program we will split our time between the farm and the kitchen. We will spend half of our days by preparing delicious food with Chef Kelcy and then set out to explore Whipple Hill, do our chicken and goat chores, and deepen our connection to the natural environment around us. ($150-$405).
Please only sign your child up for one of these sessions!
We will be handling eggs, wheat, and dairy.
1st-3rd Grade
Morning Session: 9am-12pm
July 8-12
Afternoon Session: 1pm-4pm
July 29 – August 2
4-6th Grade
Morning Session: 9am-12pm
July 29 – August 2
Afternoon Session: 1pm-4pm
July 8-12
Employment Opportunities
We are about to begin our summer hiring process! If you are interested in working at the farm this summer as a seasonal farm educator please send a resume and cover letter to our Youth Programs Manager Emily at eallen@wlfarm.org
Frequently Asked Questions
You will sign your child up for the grade they will be in the Fall of 2024!
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!
During the summer you are able to sign up for a maximum of 2 weeks.
Reach out to us! You can email farmed@wlfarm.org or call our Youth Programs Manager at 781-369-9099.
Community Programming
Please note that some 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.
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. An early childhood educator from Wright-Locke will lead the class.
Ages
6 -18 months with a caregiver
When
Four Mondays
April 22 – May 13, 2024*
11:00am – 11:45am
*Make-up day May 20
Registration Information
Tier A: $135.00 (Pay-It-Forward, 50% above cost)
Tier B: $103.50 (Pay-It-Forward, 15% above cost)
Tier C: $90.00 (cost to run the program)
Tier D: $76.50 (Reduced for Accessibility, 15% below cost)
Tier E: $63.00 (Reduced for Accessibility, 50% below cost)
Max enrollment: ten participants (families with multiple babies encouraged, but no tag-along siblings over 18 months please!)
Please click on this link to complete your registration!
First Wednesday of the month, 10:30-11:15
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 are invited to visit the farm as a group on the third Wednesday of each month, gathering outside of The 1827 Barn. This will be for an unguided experience meaning that you’ll be together without a Farm Educator leading your visit. Please review visitor guidelines here.
Guided Experiences
When: The First Wednesday of each month (April 3, May 1, & June 5) 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 are interested in learning more!
Registration generally opens 2 weeks prior to the class time. Please click on the date to register!
Dates:
More dates coming soon. Check back often!
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Join Lauren Winterer with your family to learn about the Chickens at Wright-Locke Farm!
You’ll be invited into the chicken coop to complete the chicken chores with one of our Educators. The chicken chores include feeding and watering the chickens, collecting the eggs, checking on their bedding, and giving them all a lot of attention.
Please be sure to wear clothes that are comfortable and you don’t mind getting soiled.
Price per family:
$20 Buys a bag of Chicken Scratch
$18 Buys a bag of Chicken Feed
$15 Buys a bag of Bedding
We ask that children 3+ participate as some of our animals can be overwhelming to our youngest human friends. (Tag-along children welcome.)
Dates: (To register, please click on the dates below! Thank you for supporting our Family Programs!)
Friday, March 22
Time:
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Join Farmer Jon with your family to take the goats for a walk at Wright-Locke Farm and into Whipple Hill!
Goats walks will take place in the fields and trails behind the farm on 82 Ridge Street. Participants will gather in front of the goat pen to learn about the goat’s diet, behavior, jobs on the farm, and their overall health. The group, led by a farmer, will then head out on the walk with our 5 goats. Just like the goats, the group will stay together as a herd as the goats graze on what is left for greenery this time of year. If the goats are lucky, they might find a few acorns that the squirrels missed.
Participants should be ready to hike over steep and off-camber terrain. The group will help by guiding the goats on the walk for about 30-45 minutes before leading them back to their pen. Participants are encouraged to pet the goats and take pictures with them. The walks are subject to cancellation during inclement weather.
Clothing: Please be sure to wear clothes that are comfortable and you don’t mind getting soiled.
Shoes: always wear closed-toed and water-proof shoes.
Please do not bring anything to feed the goats.
Price per family:
$20 Buys a Goat Pedicure (Pay-It-Forward)
$18 Buys a Bale of Hay (Cost to run the program)
$15 Buys Straw for Bedding (Reduced price for accessibility)
We ask that children 3+ participate as some of our animals can be overwhelming to our youngest human friends. (Tag-along children are welcome.)
When: Saturday, March 23rd, 10:00am – 11:30am
Tier A: $25 (Pay-It-Forward)
Please note, pricing is PER FAMILY. Please list the names of all family members who will be in attendance (please include ages of children as well).
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.
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.