​Our After School program will include a blend of both farm education and creative mindfulness practice. In this program, we strive to engage kids’ sense of collaboration, to develop resilience and problem solving skills, and to build their toolkit to manage stress and overwhelm.

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Timing

In the Spring, for families attending Shelburne Community School, a farm staff member will meet your child at the front office at the end of the school day, at 2:45 pm on Mondays & Thursdays and at 1:45 pm on Wednesdays (early release days). Staff will walk the SCS kids to New Village Farm. Children from other schools may be dropped off at the farm starting at 3:30 pm on Mondays & Thursdays and at 2:30 pm on Wednesdays. Pick up is at 5:15.

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Types of After School

• On Mondays, we're offering a new program called Whittling Club. This program is geared towards children looking to improve their skills in this lifelong craft. Beginning whittlers, experts, and anyone in between is welcome! We will introduce kids to our safety protocols, and work through a progression of skills, spears to wands, to butter knives, to spoons, to birds, etc. Kids are welcome to borrow one of our knives -- please do not send knives to school! Whittling Club is for kids 8 years old and up. However, if you have a mature 7 year old, you may email us to set up a trial day. Parents/guardians of Whittling Club participants can join for free! And drop-in days are welcome!

• On Wednesdays and Thursdays, we have a more open format, centering on animal care, crafts, and exploration of the natural world. Wednesdays and Thursdays are geared towards kids in Kindergarten through 4th grade. If you have an older child who is interested in the program, please shoot us an email at newvillagefarmprograms@gmail.com.

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General Daily Routine

Arrival & settling

Snack

Opening Circle

Farm chores

Craft activity & free time

Closing Circle 

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Packing list

• Farm & weather-appropriate clothing (please check the weather before sending your child to school!)

• Hearty snack

• Filled water Bottle

• Please leave all electronics (including smart watches) at home. (If your child has a cell phone, we require them to keep it in their bag or backpack unless they need to contact a parent or guardian.)

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Scheduling

Wednesdays and Thursdays run from March 6th-May 30th. Whittling club runs from March 25th- May 20th.

We follow the Champlain Valley School District’s calendar, taking off Eid (4/10), Spring Break (4/22-4/26), & Memorial Day (5/27). On April 8th, SCS has a half day for viewing the Solar Eclipse. We will run a special Program that day.

 

Safety

We will educate the children in safe farm conduct around poisonous plants, electric fences, tools, and the animals. At NVF, we do our best to meet kids where they are. However, we have baseline expectations that kids can understand the meaning of "no," "pause," and "stop", that they can be responsible for taking care of their fundamental needs (e.g. fueling their body with water and food, dressing themselves for the weather, etc.), that they can follow basic directions, and that they can operate in a group setting with other kids. New Village Farm reserves the right to ask children who infringes on the safety of themselves or others by consistently violating the boundaries and conduct requested of them.

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Sick Days

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds for sick days or other scheduling conflicts.

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Refund & Cancellation Policy

• For each registration, there is a $75 non refundable deposit built into the cost.

• If you cancel 14 days before the start date, we will provide a full refund minus the $75 non-refundable deposit.

• If you cancel between 7 days before the start date and 7 days after the start date, we will provide a 50% refund.

• After 8 days after the start date, we cannot offer a refund of payment, but we can offer some credit on a case by case basis.

• If we cannot fill the program with a minimum of 6 students, we will cancel the program and refund all families.

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New Village Farm's Tax ID: 27-4665607