Our mission is to maintain a fun, recreational destination for your entire family to enjoy, while preserving history and nature for the community.
1616 Mapleton Avenue Suffield, CT 06078
Call us: (860) 758-0668
Mail Support: info@fofah.org
Mon - Sun: 8.00am - 9.00pm
Exploring the natural world with wide open eyes
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At Dandelion Explorers, we believe that children should be the leaders of their own learning, and what better place than to do that than outdoors. When given the space, materials, and invitations, beautiful and joyful learning happen.
A Journey of Discovery: Dandelion Explorers at Hilltop Farm
An outdoor laboratory for young minds
At Hilltop Farm in Suffield, Connecticut, a new kind of learning is blossoming. The Dandelion Explorers program is transforming the historic farmland into an outdoor classroom where children from 18 months to eight years old can lead their own adventures. The program, formerly known as Tinkergarten, fosters curiosity and a love for nature by encouraging children and their caregivers to explore, play, and learn outdoors.
The Dandelion Explorers' curriculum, inspired by Tinkergarten, is intentionally child-led. Instructor Elizabeth Simons gives children the tools, materials, and space to take charge of their own learning. As she explains, "Fostering a love of learning and the outdoors has always been important to me". With her guidance, children strengthen their problem–solving skills, creativity, and imagination by interacting directly with the farm's natural environment.
Classes often begin with songs to get the group engaged.
Children are then given a prompt or "invitation to play," such as creating "nature nectar" or gathering materials for a project.
They move freely across the farm and into the woods, collecting natural treasures for their creative projects.
The session concludes with a story and tea, providing a gentle end to the adventurous morning.
The hands–on, outdoor approach gives children a profound connection to the land and its history. Hilltop Farm, once the retirement farm of Indian Motorcycle co-founder George Hendee, is now a living laboratory for young minds. The property features fields, streams, and woodland, providing endless possibilities for exploration.
Recent sessions have included imaginative journeys like a "bear hike," where children navigated imaginary obstacles, and a "Breaking and Making" activity where they crafted new things from nature's materials. Even during the colder months, Dandelion Explorers bundle up to discover the unique beauty of winter, proving that outdoor play is a year–round possibility.
Beyond fostering a sense of wonder in children, Dandelion Explorers strengthens community bonds. Caregivers play alongside their little ones, connecting with other families and building a shared appreciation for the historic farm.
The success of Dandelion Explorers is a testament to the power of nature-based education and the enduring mission of Hilltop Farm's stewards, the Friends of the Farm at Hilltop (FOFAH). By providing a dedicated space for children to grow and learn, the farm continues its legacy as a cherished resource for the entire Suffield community.
Are you ready to blow your children's imaginations to the wind and watch their curiosity take root?. At Dandelion Explorers, we believe that the best classrooms are found outdoors, where sticks become swords, puddles are oceans, and every rock hides a secret.
We are so excited to work with you! Volunteers are at the heart of our work with a wide range of opportunities from Saturday farm workdays, to serving on a committee, to sharing your expertise in helping with our various projects. People who make time in their day and in their lives to support us with their talent create a deep impact and we appreciate you.
