We will be opening our Summer Camp registration after Spring Break
Contact the office at admin@marysfarm.ca to get on our email list
Blossoming at the Farm Society
JUMP TO SECTION:
JUMP TO SECTION:
Learning Community
Our Learning Community brings together children and a dedicated, uniquely skilled team of leaders. We are a 10 month full or part time program providing registered home learners a gently structured environment that is rich, diverse, flexible, respectful, supportive, joyful, relevant, relational, meaningful and deeply rooted in the natural world.
As an inclusive community we strive to recognize, respect and meet the developmental needs of each participant. Our work is influenced by a belief in the intrinsic value of all humans; we have a strong foundation in emotional literacy, social thinking, self determination and inquiry based learning.
Learning Community participants spend their days; crafting, building, planting, reading, running, learning, recording, eating, caring, reflecting, exploring, and playing. Our community spends the majority of the day outside and being able to navigate seasonal weather for sustained periods of time is vital to a successful experience with us.
Self reflection, collaboration, personal responsibility, community engagement, and kindness are core values modeled and engaged with on a daily basis. While we are not an academic focused program we do engage in math, reading, writing, research, and theme based projects. Our supportive environment allows for adaptations and child led sharing of their learning experiences.
Forest School
Participants in our Blossoming At the Farm Forest School spend every day outside; rain or shine. The natural world provides a never ending source of experiences, connection, and learning as the seasons change.
Through open-ended explorations and offerings, participants in this 10 month program will experience:
- Team work, problem solving, collaboration, mindfulness, opportunities to build upon and increase their emotions literacy, risk taking skills and self determination.
- An awareness and connection to our local flora and fauna, earth stewardship and a deeper understanding of interconnectedness
- A respect for our local Indigenous people, the teachings of All My Relations and an awareness of the cultural significance of the S,ELEKTEL (Goldstream) area.
Our Forest School program is offered multiple days a week with the option to attend one or both days. Participants need to be comfortable being outdoors for sustained time, using an outhouse, being part of a group, navigating seasonal weather, and uneven terrain. We are a multi-age (6-11), inclusive, neurodiverse, and gently structured community.
Offerings participants may experience are:
- Loose Parts play
- Plant and Wildlife identification
- Keeping a weekly nature journal
- Whittling and knife skills
- Shelter building and Knot tying
- Nature inspired art
- Indigenous teaching and stories
- Foraging and Fire cooking
- Group Games
- Land walks on our 30 acre property and sit spots
- Creek and Pond explorations
- Fun, Laughter, and Connection
Teen Pod Forest School
As some of our current FS participants age out we don’t want to lose the connections made with them, their peers, and our community. This program is for ages 12-15 and runs Mondays, 9:30-2:30. With existing familiarity to the land, each other, and the staff this group will engage in collaborative, sustained, skill building themes and projects.
- Bushcraft
- Wilderness Skills
- Wildcrafting
- Foraging and Fire Cooking
Participants will be successful in this group if they have a desire to be in nature, can sustain seasonal weather for a full day, are adventurous, determined, and willing to follow and collaborate with the leadership of this program. A willingness to push through hard and unfamiliar experiences will allow for growth and connection to themselves, the land, and others.
We look forward to this new journey together. Please contact the office for an application form for Teen Pod Forest School.
Teen Pod
Created for home learner teens wanting a gently structured learning experience rooted in the natural world, Teen Pod is now going into its 3rd year. This 10 month, 2 days a week, module-based program weaves guided learning, social time, and land based experiences together. Teen Pod is designed for youth who appreciate small groups (10 max), and the mentorship of dedicated and diverse leaders. This program will foster deep connections with self and others, while also exposing participants to new and familiar learning opportunities.
Previous years modules have included:
- Music Academy (3rd place CBC Music Challenge winners 2019)
- Horse Academy (facilitated by a Equine Facilitated Wellness practitioner with our herd of 6 horses)
- Games School (lead by a successful DND Kickstarter campaign author)
- Second Language/Cultural Studies
- Culinary Arts
- Mental Health (facilitated by a CYC practitioner)
- Novel Studies/Canadian Artist Studies
Each year’s modules are developed based on the registered participants, honouring their developmental and social needs along with the passions and skill set of our leaders.
Connection Club
This new group is designed for participants between the ages of 6-10 who would benefit from a supported and consistent environment to navigate their social interactions with others. Your child can expect time with Lego, messy art, Playmobil, card games, and outdoor experiences both with and without our farm animals. The group will be small in size (max 7) with 2 skilled leaders who specialize in social thinking and executive function methodologies to ensure engagement and meaningful connection. The Connection Club will have socialization, self-regulation and emotional literacy goals that are explored and met through dynamic play, conversations, guided games, and teachings.
We are hoping to run Connection Club Monday, 3:30-4:30, Jan-June and are taking registration now. This program has an indoor space as its home base. Cost starts at $150/month. Email admin@marysfarm.ca to learn more or to register!
Sisterherd
Each week we will spend time connecting with each other and engaging in a gentle exploration of mindfulness with our herd of horses, guided art journaling, time for social connection, and food sharing. This program takes place in both our indoor and outdoor spaces. The group goals include building confidence and self-esteem, managing anxiety, practicing gratitude and acceptance, and having lots of fun together!
This offering is for anyone who identifies as female or non-binary, ages 11-16, and runs every Tuesday from 3:15pm – 4:45pm. We offer a gentle start from 3:15-3:30. The program runs from September – June, stopping for Winter and Spring Breaks.
Cost: $120 +GST ($126)/month
For more information or to register contact our office at admin@marysfarm.ca!
SUMMER CAMP
We run our Summer Camp programs in July and August each year. Camps offered include:
- Wild + Free (ages 6-12)
- Barn Buddies (ages 7-12), Art Camps (various ages)
- Teen Camps (ages 13+)
- Mindfulness and Horses (ages 12+)
Our Summer Camps can provide 1:1 support workers to provide an inclusive camp experience.
Registration opens after Spring Break. Email admin@marysfarm.ca to learn more or to join our email list!
Behaviour Intervention
Our BI sessions are grounded in deep respect for the child/youth/family we are supporting. Time and care are taken to build safety and rapport before moving on to behaviour, social and emotional goals. Our approach is grounded in social thinking, emotional regulation, child honouring, land based support.
Our animals, land, open-ended toys, art materials, and dedicated staff combine to create a positive, child honouring experience, allowing deep growth to occur.
BI sessions differ from our Therapeutic sessions as they are facilitated by staff with training in ASD modalities.
Therapeutic Sessions
We offer 1:1 Therapeutic sessions for children and youth facing a variety of mental health considerations. Each child/youth we support will have their interests, developmental needs, unique strengths, and challenges honoured.
In line with our core values of respect, belonging, and connections, clients will be supported as they navigate and gain support, skills and confidence in their lives. We offer animal connections, including working with our herd of horses, art, and land based sessions.
1:1 Therapeutic sessions differ from our 1:1 Behaviour Intervention sessions as the focus is on mental health, not ASD. Contact the office for more information and an intake form.
*Please note our sessions are facilitated by our CYC practitioner, and Therapeutic Art Guide. We are not registered clinical counsellors*.