Farm and Forest School Fall Session: Hands-On Kids Program near Alvinston, Ontario

At Jireh Hills Family Homestead, just outside Alvinston, Ontario, the Farm and Forest School - Fall Session - offers eight Thursdays of hands-on learning for kids ages five and up. Meeting 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning September 17, 2026, the program turns a working farm and its adjacent hardwood woodlands into an outdoor classroom where animals and seasonal tasks drive the lesson plans. The day moves between barnyard chores and woodland projects: milking goats and bottle-feeding kid goats, basic horse handling and communication drills, and alpaca fibre dyeing that turns fleece into a take-home craft. Small groups (maximum 12 students) let instructors give individual attention while the teacher-designed curriculum encourages problem solving, cooperation, and curiosity. Parents are welcome to stay - one adult per family is included - or children can be dropped off under qualified supervision. What makes this program stand out in southwestern Ontario is its mix of authentic farm work with forest play. Students learn real skills - animal care, simple tool use, and teamwork - on pasture, in a hay-scented barn, and under maple and oak canopy where seasonal changes shape the week's projects. The approach reflects 18 years of homeschooling and homesteading experience from the program's creator, Cheryl, and her family team, giving lessons a lived-in practicality that classroom time can't match. Practical details are built into the rhythm: eight weekly sessions, BYO lunch and water bottle, extra clothing for wet or chilly weather, and an on-site washroom. Space is limited; there's no refund for missed classes, so plan around the fixed schedule. The program welcomes babies and non-walkers free of charge and offers a large-family rate for three or more children. For families looking to reconnect with where food comes from, or to introduce a child to animal stewardship and outdoor skills, this fall session is both accessible and grounded. It's a place where simple tasks - brushing a horse, dyeing alpaca fibre, learning patience with a kid goat - become the foundation for confidence and teamwork. Reserve early through the referral link; drop-in days are possible but fill quickly. Whether your child stays with you or joins the supervised group, the Farm and Forest School at Jireh Hills Family Homestead delivers an honest, seasonal immersion in farm life just outside Alvinston, Ontario. Families will receive a registration form by email after enrolment so instructors can tailor activities to each child's needs; arrive ten minutes early for drop-off and pick-up to keep the day on schedule. There is an optional fee for additional adults beyond the one included, and pricing varies by day or by large-family rate; contact the host directly via the booking referral link for exact fees and available dates. With attentive supervision from Cheryl's team and a low 12-child cap, this program