All current or former students/campers of the Indiana Outdoor School and their families are invited to join us as we unveil our newest structure, a pavilion, and enjoy a community potluck on Sunday, May 19 at 4:00. Bring a dish to share and the whole family to celebrate our growing community! Please email Chloe to RSVP.
Upcoming 2024 Programs
Wild Hearts - Alternative Education Outdoors Who: Children ages 5-14. When: Second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 12:00-3:00. Spring semester January - May 2024. What: Twice a month programming that's especially suited for home school, cyber school, & un-school children to explore, create, envision, and build. Each session is planned around a specific environmental theme with hands-on learning. Spring Semester Schedule: January: Animal Adaptions in Western PA (burrows, hibernation, migration) & Storytelling and Folklore with paper mache puppet making February: Maple sugaring & Tree study with tree made crafts March: Pennsylvania bird study & Animal homes/building with earth materials April: Creeks and streams (microscopy, erosion, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians) May: Growing your own food, soil biology, fungi, and western PA plant identification Where: Mother Earth Farm, 4420 Warren Road, Indiana, PA Bring: Clothing for the weather, waterproof gear highly encouraged, water bottle, snack. Cost: $25/day and a discount for multiple children, email us to work out a discount for your family! Register: Limited spots available, preference given if registered for more than one session. Register by clicking button below. Sessions Scheduled: January 9 and 23, February 13 and 27, March 12 and 26, April 9 and 23, May 14 and 28
Spring Night Hike Who: All ages, family event When: May 7, 2024 from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM What: Join us as we hike through the forest at dusk. Listen and observe living things getting ready for bed, and others that are awakening for the night. Where: Mother Earth Farm, 4420 Warren Road, Indiana, PA Bring: Shoes and appropriate clothing for hiking in the weather conditions. Headlamps or flashlights once the sun sets. Cost: FREE - Part of the Remake Learning Days and open to the public!! Register: Follow this link to register your family
Field Trips and Half Day Programs in our forest classroom We now offer programs for community and school organizations. We can cater the experience to what your program is looking for! We offer 2-3 hour preschool/elementary programs and longer programs for middle school/high school groups with the ability to provide experiences geared towards your programs' needs. Other groups we can work with include, but aren't limited to, home school families, scout troops, clubs, PreK-6th grade field trips, preschools, and more! Some experiences include guided hikes focusing on seasonal changes and PA animal signs, creek critters, vernal ponds & springs, mindfulness hiking, fungi & flora of the season, and more! Email us to learn how we can work with your organization to get everyone outside and immersed in the natural world!
"This was my favorite field trip I've ever been on. The kids had so much fun!" -Pre-K Teacher
FREE: Chores on the Farm Date: Friday, May 3 Friday, June 7 *No program in July* Time: 9:30-10:30 AM Location: Nature Works Farm, 3741 PA-56 E, Homer City, PA Parents and kids of all ages join us on the first Friday for a walk around Nature Works Farm and meet some of our animals! Wear Boots! Group rates also available for private sessions. Cost: Free
Fungi, the other F Who: Youth organization or class, program is geared towards children ages 6 through 18 When: Email us to schedule a date for your organization/class. The best times of the year are spring, summer, & fall (most likely to see many fungal species!) What: Flora and fauna are heavily studied and taught areas of the natural world, but the fungi kingdom has been underrepresented! Join our mycologist in training for an hour long program all about fungi. Learn the basics of the fungi, how they grow, where you can find them, why they are important, and more! Followed by an immersive hike searching for different fungal species. Where: Mother Earth Farm, 4420 Warren Road, Indiana, PA Bring: Waterproof boots and wear clothing for the weather Cost: $5 per student (large group rate available, contact us for more info)
Owl Prowl Who: Families specifically with children ages 4 and up When: Anytime in the fall If you'd like to schedule a private program for your school/youth organization please email us so we can pick a date that works What: Join us for an hour of nighttime thrills as we have a mini lesson on owls then go prowling into the woods calling in real owls (the secret is staying quiet!) Where: Mother Earth Farm, 4420 Warren Road, Indiana, PA Bring: Headlamp or flashlight, water proof boots Cost: $5 per student (large group rate available, contact for more info)
Regrounding and mindfulness through nature: A new free program for children ages 12 and up Our goal is to model mindfulness by using nature as a guide, to empower teens to take control of their thoughts and mind, and to create a positive, technology-free community that's open to sharing experiences and ways to encourage positive mental health. Fall dates are on Sundays. Email to learn more and to sign-up your child. Teen Girl Mindfulness at Mother Earth Farm - Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 4PM - Email to Register Teen Boy Mindfulness at Mother Earth Farm - Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 4PM - Email to Register
Out of School Holiday Club Who: Elementary aged children 6-14 When: Monday, February 19, 2024 from 9:00-2:00 Friday, March 29, 2024 from 9:00-2:00 at Nature Works Farm What: During break from school we invite your child/ren to join us for part-day programs outdoors exploring our natural areas at Mother Earth Farm or Nature Works Farm Where: Mother Earth Farm, 4420 Warren Road, Indiana, PA or Nature Works Farm, 3741 PA 56-East, Homer City, PA Bring: Waterproof clothing for a day spent outdoors, a packed lunch, & a water bottle Cost: $25 per session per child Register: Please submit a registration form for each child you wish to register