Barn School 2025

Our Barn School classes aim to give children a hands-on experience of life on a farm. Each course is designed to focus on a specific topic for the week from goats to rabbits, mushrooms or cooking. This year, we will be collaborating with Collar City Mushrooms to host a class all about different types of mushrooms, and the ways fungi impact our world. Also brand new this year is our The Science of Little Critter Care class, which focuses on small pets and exotics.

Classes are tailored for students entering 1st - 8th grade, along with a specialized program for children aged 3 years old - Kindergarten. We are offering a morning and afternoon class section per week, for 5 days— classes change every week beginning July 7, 2025. Class registration is done through our online store only!

For more information on the curriculum, schedule, and registration, please visit our website at www.indianladderfarms.com/barn-school

Please read through all the documents we've provided to ensure your registration is done correctly and all forms needed have been filled.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Little Farmer &  Friend (July 7 - 11 & July 14 - 18)

[3 Years old to entering Kindergarten, accompanied in class daily by Caregiver]
Calling all little ones! We invite young children joined by their caregivers to a shared exploration of our farm. Help us care for our farm animals by keeping them fed, clean, healthy, and happy. Little farmers will have hands-on experiences with a variety of livestock including poultry, goats, and sheep, while engaging in creative farm-centered games, cooking with farm-fresh foods, and participating in Barn Life Storytime. We will learn about all the different types of foods and products we get from the farm and collaborate with our flock of chickens to create a colorful painting. To ensure the safety of these very young children during their farm experience, all caregivers are required to participate fully in all these interactive sessions.

Fantastic Farm Animals & Farm Creations (July 14 - 18)

[1st - 8th Grade]

Care for our fantastic menagerie of farm animals and gardens here on our farm. Get hands-on experience while learning how to make essential products with the plant and animal resources farms provide such as: goat’s milk soap, beeswax candles, felted wool, homemade plant dyes, teas, sweet treats, and of course creative artwork using the products from the nature that surrounds us!

We Love Rabbits! (July 21 - 25)

[1st - 4th, and 4th - 8th Grade]

Learn all about rabbits and how to care for them. Activities include cleaning rabbit cages, feeding, watering, and cooling rabbits, grooming rabbits, providing them with exercise, and much more. Learn all about the many different breeds of rabbits and their usefulness to farmers. Create all-natural rabbit treats and farm-made toys for the bunnies. Participants will be put in charge of caring for an array of visiting bunnies!

The Science of Little Critter Care (July 28 - August 1)

[1st  - 4th, and 4th - 8th Grade]

Take time for hands-on learning about some interesting small pets like cavies (guinea pigs) and hedgehogs plus exotics such as frogs and tortoises. Each day focuses on a new species. Learn how they respirate. Take their temperatures. Study their anatomy. Create drawings and charts. Understand their natural habitats and how to care for them in the home. 

Farm to Table (August 4 - 8)

[1st - 8th Grade]
Join us as we discover the different aspects of the farm and the culinary wonders they provide. We will learn all about where our food comes from and how it ends up on the table. Our instructor will provide hands-on experience with some of our animals and gather ingredients in the orchard, berry patches, and gardens. Recipes and food prep will lead to a different food or beverage item daily. This holistic approach to our food will teach children the many benefits of eating fresh and local, and how to do so each season of the year. Our Farm to Table experience culminates in a tasty treat for your child, prepared to share with the family! 

The Mysterious World of Mushrooms (August 4 - 8)

[1st - 8th Grade]

Explore the world of fungi with mushroom farmer Avery Stempel from Collar City Mushrooms.  This hands-on class will teach young learners about different types of mushrooms and the ways fungi impact our world.  We will go on a mushroom foray for identification purposes and learn some hunting skills, tips, and tricks.  Learners will also transfer live mycelium into a substrate for at-home cultivation, tour the mushroom growing facility on the farm property, craft 3-dimensional art with natural items, and learn some simple ways edible mushrooms can be prepared.

We Love Goats! (August 11 - 18)

[1st - 4th , and 4th - 8th Grade]

Come out for an exciting week of learning all about goats! Each day will bring a different look into goats and the goat farming life. Learning with a hands-on approach about the variety of goat breeds, goat health, and the overall care of the goats. Fun activities will include milking & grooming. Gain knowledge about different products made by goat farmers & prepare some of your very own. 

Break Option (available for all sessions,  12PM - 1PM)

No lunch is served by ILF, you must pack your own lunch.

If your child attends morning and afternoon classes, they will have an hour-long break between sessions. If you are unable to pick up your child during this break, you can purchase the Break Option to ensure your child is appropriately taken care of. Your child must bring their lunch but don't worry, there's a fridge available to keep it fresh. The Break Option costs an additional $15 per day or $75 per week. If you want to purchase this option, please visit our online store to enroll for the week of your child's session.