Irvin Learning Farm
Growing deep connections between children, educators and the natural world.
Irvin Learning Farm is an inquiry-based, hands-on learning space for children of all ages. It is sited on Irvin Farmıs 269 acres of pasture, forest and wetlands, preserved by the Triangle Land Conservancy.
The farm is located just 5 miles south of Carrboro and Chapel Hill at 2912B Jones Ferry Road. Our approach is an integrated one, melding arts and sciences around outdoor learning. Activities include work in the learning garden, pond study, arts activities, science and environmental activities in the woods and fields as well as caring for farm animals, chickens and goats. We work to provide children from diverse backgrounds with experiences that create a lifelong love of the outdoors, that sustain wonder and that promote ongoing stewardship of the land.
Child Registration Form is located here (PDF).
Adult Registration Form is located here (PDF).
Downloadable List of Available Upcoming 2010 Programs (PDF).
Irvin Learning Farm offers outdoor education programs for children and adults that are interest-led, experiential and environmentally and seasonally-based. All of our programs are held entirely outdoors, rain or shine, warm weather or cold. Participants should dress for adventure and for the changing weather and bring a set of back up clothes.
Below is a list of our upcoming programs for spring and summer 2010:
Date |
Program |
Description |
Saturday, May 1 |
Bow Making Workshop |
Bow Making Workshop, Adults Learn to craft your own wooden bow & make your own bowstring and arrow with local bowyer, John Waken. Beginning with a stave harvested locally, John will lead workshop participants through the process of roughing out, tillering, finishing, shooting-in and then sealing their own bows. This workshop is for adults with some experience and confidence using woodworking hand tools and also requires participants to bring certain tools to each session. Cost: $225 + $25 for stave, (3) 6 hour sessions. Class size: 8 adults |
Apr. 19th-May 24th
|
“Adventurers” Spring After School Club |
Adventurers,ages 8 – 13 This nature club provides a hands-on introduction to primitive skills and technology including archery, using traditional wooden bows and arrows, andfire building, fire safety and how to build, maintain and transport fire. Also included are opportunities for art-making with natural materials. Cost: $125, 6 sessions. Class size: 10, 1 to 5 ratio |
Apr. 20th-May 25th |
“Trailblazers” |
Trailblazers, ages 8 – 13 This nature club includes time on the trails, tracking, building natural shelters and exploring the woods, the creek and the pond. Cost: $125, 6 sessions. Class size: 12, 1 to 6 ratio |
Apr. 21st-May 26th |
“Discoverers” |
Discoverers, ages 5 – 10 This nature club includes time on the farm with our goats and chickens and work in the garden as well as time in the woods looking for the first signs of spring, learning about wildlife and plants and exploring the creek and pond. Cost: $125, 6 sessions. Class size: 12, 1 to 6 ratio |
Apr. 22nd-May 27th |
“Outdoor Explorers” Spring After School Club |
Outdoor Explorers, ages 5 – 10 This nature club offers young adventurers outdoor learning experiences as spring unfolds around us, hiking in the woods, bird watching and gathering wild plants, rocks and other treasures. In addition, time is spent in our learning garden, with our farm animals and exploring our pond and creek. Cost: $125, 6 sessions. Class size: 12, 1 to 6 ratio |
June 14th-June 18th |
Session 1 |
The Outdoor Laboratory, Art and Science in the Wild, ages 11 - 13 Taking a closer look at both plant and animal life using microscopes, hand lenses and binoculars is the special focus this week. Opportunities for scientific illustration, painting, clay work and creating with natural materials expand on the theme of looking closely at the natural world around us. Poetry writing, storytelling and nature journaling round out the week’s activities. Cost: $160, 5 days. Class size: 20, 1 to 5 ratio |
June 21st-June 25th
|
Session 2 |
Fun with Nature’s Fibers, 5 – 10 year olds Creating felt from unspun wool, painting on silk, weaving on primitive looms and working with other natural fibers are the special focus this week. Cost: $160, 5 days. Class size: 20, 1 to 5 ratio |
June 28th-July 2nd |
Session 3 |
Theater of the Wild, 5 – 10 year olds Improvisational theater, music, mask and puppet making and performance are the focus this week. Cost: $160, 5 days. Class size: 20, 1 to 5 ratio |
July 5th-July 9th |
Session 4 |
Track and Trail, 5 – 10 year olds Orienteering, shelter building, fire making, tracking and stealth challenges are the special focus this week. Cost: $160, 5 days. Class size: 20, 1 to 5 ratio |
July 12th-July 16th |
Session 5 |
Field and Forest Foraging, 5 – 10 year olds Learning about plant identification, foraging and preparing wild edibles are the special focus this week. Other possible activities include basket-making, compiling plant specimen books or creating a wild foods cookbook. Cost: $160, 5 days. Class size: 20, 1 to 5 ratio |
July 19th-July 23rd |
Session 6 |
Artists in Nature, 5 – 10 year olds Working with nature’s materials to create art outdoors is the special focus this week. Activities may include making mud cloth, printing, creating sculptures, painting and drawing with natural pigments and photography. Cost: $160, 5 days. Class size: 20, 1 to 5 ratio |
Summer Encounters Irvin Learning Farm: Who is Involved?
The Irvin Learning Farm staff includes Wendy Banning, Livy Ludington and Tori Ralston, plus other naturalists and artists, including Candace Waken, Will Endres, John Waken, Maia Derewicz and Maria Hitt.
Partners in the project are The Oak Foundation www.oakfnd.org , The Grable Foundation www.grablefdn.org , The Conservation Fund www.conservationfund.org and The Triangle Land Conservancy www.triangleland.org.
The goal of Irvin Learning Farm is to give children and teachers experiences in the outdoors that enhance their current lives and learning and that instill in them a lifelong commitment to stewardship of the land.
Contact for Irvin Learning Farm:
Wendy Banning, Coordinator
919.942.7773
wendy@learn-outside.com
www.learn-outside.com
