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
Date : TBA
This Event Has Yet To Be Scheduled.
We'll Let You Know When A Date is Set
We Need Volunteers For This Event
At Kid's Nature Programs, 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.
Our kids' summer nature programs need a fresh start! With the national Tinkergarten program discontinued, we're looking to revitalize our own efforts to introduce local children to the natural world around them. We need educators or other qualified, enthusiastic people willing to help. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.
A Journey of Discovery: Children's Nature Programs
Our summer programs offer children the opportunity to explore the out of doors while having fun in a relaxed and safe environment at George Hendee's Hilltop Farm. Participants will learn about nature and science, while making friends and building self confidence under the guidance of scientists and teachers.
Programs are aligned with the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) approach to the world and learning.
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, The children 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, Our Children's Nature Program 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 Children's Nature Program , we believe that the best classrooms are found outdoors, where sticks become swords, puddles are oceans, and every rock hides a secret.
We Need You! - Volunteer!
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.
