Kids are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and get dirty in a brand-new program from the St. Charles Park District. Taking place at Primrose Farm, Home School Homesteaders features farm activities especially for the homeschool community.
“We came up with this program because of the success we’ve had with our Homeschool Day program which takes place in the fall,” said Patricia Kennedy, farm program supervisor. “We thought it would be fun to offer a more hands-on and exclusive program for homeschoolers who want to learn more about farming and history.”
The program will take place for two hours over three consecutive Thursdays and will serve as an introduction to the homesteader lifestyle, which emphasizes self-sufficiency and resourcefulness.
The program will allow children the opportunity to interact with the farm’s many animals – among them cows, goats and chickens – all while learning how to keep the animals safe and healthy. Students also will learn how to garden, providing assistance as farm staff readies for the spring growing season. Additional hands-on skills will include splitting firewood and learning how to prepare meals with use of a wood burning stove.
“Students will create a dish to cook in the wood burning stove using items that can be grown at home and using minimal foodstuff bought at the store,” Kennedy said.
Helping to make the program possible is the farm’s new addition, a 2,400-square-foot education center. The building, which officially opened in September 2024, comes equipped with sizable teaching space, including a learning lab, as well as offices for staff members.
“It has a wonderful test kitchen so we can do more food-based agricultural programming,” Kennedy said of the space, which accommodates up to 75 people.
Home School Homesteaders is geared toward children ages 8 to 14 and will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on three consecutive Tuesdays, Jan. 16, 23 and 30; Feb. 13, 20 and 27; and March 13, 20 and 27.
Cost is $50 for residents and $75 for nonresidents.