Afternoon Explorers

The Afternoon Explorers program at Asheville Farmstead is designed to get young bodies moving and interacting with a mixed age group in an outdoor setting. We believe in play based education and have designed a school yard that fosters movement, imagination, and play. Features include: an in-ground trampoline, dirt kitchen, creek/mud play zone, pine play, hammocks, fairyland, and our very own nature ninja course! The program strives to engage the whole child, and hopes to be more open to older students who are finished with school by mid-day. We are situated on 25 acres, and will spend time exploring our forest on trails and through our wild zones. We will also weave in farm and garden activities.

THE DAILY CYCLE

Hours: M-Th 12:35-3:30pm

Cost: $30/day

Ages: Potty trained - 10 years old

Snack: No food provided. The Farmstead eats lunch at noon, so Explorers should come well fed and ready for an afternoon of play.

12:35-1:00 Arrival, Sign-in, greet friends, and free-play

1:00-1:15 Circle Time

Spaces for play, activities for the day

1:15-2:00 Forest or Field Free-Play

2:00-3:00 School Yard Play

Trampoline, circle play, pine-play area, slides

3:00-3:15 Closing Circle

3:15-3:30 See you Later

Free-Play, sign out, till next time

ENROLL NOW

AFTERNOON EXPLORERS PHILOSOPY

Afternoon Explorers is all about getting into the natural world and playing outside. In this program we support independent play and learning throughout our cove. Our school yard is built to foster imagination and we take advantage of teachable moments that are presented to us from the forest to create a natural learning environment. Having a wide range of ages in this program allows for everyone in the program to share in the learning and teaching during Afternoon Explorers.

The Farmstead hopes that participants in this program experience adventurous education and play in a safe forest setting. We envision this program being for those who are looking for a play-based group for their child, an after school option for half-day kindergarten students, homeschoolers who want to explore the forest and move their bodies, and our Sprouts who are wanting more time at the Farmstead.

The Afternoon Explorers program runs in seasons: Fall, Winter, and Spring. A commitment is needed for a whole season, though you can pay weekly or monthly for each season, Up to 12 students can attend the Afternoon Explorers program on any particular day. Two educators are always actively involved in the program and available on site for individual needs.