Sharp’s at Waterford Farm

Description

Sharp’s at Waterford Farm is a 530 acre working farm located in western Howard County.We have been offering educational programs for over 30 years to local schools, camps and groups of all types. All of our programs focus on the agricultural-environmental link. All are designed to compliment the Science or Social Studies curriculum for the elementary level.(Our programs are offered to any group with 15 or more campers)

Hayrides and feeding the farm animals are included in all of our programs. Our summer programs run from early June to mid-August and are by reservation only.
Summer camp programs for groups are $7.50/person.

#1. Ponds, Puddles & Creeks (see description below)
#2 Wonderful World of Worms (an intro to composting for children, description below)

Our programs run for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours and we encourage groups to bring a bag lunch and make use of our beautiful picnic area that overlooks a scenic pond. Make a day of it and hike our mile long, self guided nature trail at no additional cost! Hand washing stations and port a pots are available. SCHEDULE TO BRING YOUR CAMPERS ON A FIELD TRIP TO OUR FARM.

If you are not part of a group JOIN US FOR THE OPEN HOUSE EVENTS BELOW.

OPEN HOUSE DATES:

Spring is Growing: Let’s learn about seeds. We take apart a lima bean to see its parts and function, learn about roots, stems, chlorophyll and how together they function. Tour the greenhouse and pot a plant to take home. Top off your day with a hayride and time to feed the animals. $8.00/child.

Monday, April 17, Noon – 1:30 pm, register by 4/16.
Friday, May 19, Noon – 1:30 pm, register by 5/18.

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Alternative Mother’s Day: Join us down on the farm for Mother’s Day. Make an herb or flower container of her favorites. We will top it with cocoa bark mulch. The basic plants, soil, tag and mulch are included in the fee. Bring your own container or purchase one of ours. Our staff will help you create a memorable planter and outing. Then join us to feed the hungry farm animals and for a scenic hayride through the farm. Top off the day by bringing a picnic dinner and feast by the pond at our picnic site. $8.00 per person (Moms are free)

Sunday May 14, 3 to 5 p.m., register by 5/12
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Second Saturday Farmer: Learn to be a farmer for youth 6 on up. Learn to plant the garden, feed the animals, scavenger hunt through the farm while you learn farming history and tools. Each child will receive his junior farmer graduation certificate. Each session is unique and you can contact us the week before to learn what we will do. So much depends on the weather. Youth should be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, June 10, 9 – 11 a.m., 2nd Saturday Farmer, register by 6/9 $8.00/person

Saturday, July 8, 9 – 11 a.m., 2nd Saturday Farmer, register by 7/7, $8.00/person

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Ponds, Puddles & Creeks: Your guide will bring you by hayride to the Cattail Creek. Make sure you wear old tennis shoes or water shoes as we go into the creek to catch a variety of the critters that live there. After catching them, we take time to identify what we have found, and learn about their habitats and life cycles. After releasing the critters we head back to the barnyard to feed the farm animals! $8.00/child.

Friday June 23 10:30 am to noon / Ponds, Puddles and Creeks $8.00/child Register on or before 6/22

Friday July 28 10:30 – Noon/ Ponds, Puddles, & Creeks $8.00/child, Register by 7/27

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Wonderful World of Worms: Your guide will teach the children about worms and their role in composting. Some questions that will be addressed are; What is vermi-composting? How does composting benefit the environment? How do you build a compost pile? What part do worms play in the composting process? Bring a baggie of food scraps as we will go through all the steps of how to make a compost pile! Everyone will pot a plant to take home! A hayride and feeding the farm animals is also included! $8.00/child.

Friday, July 14, 10:30 – Noon/ Wonderful World of Worms $8.00/child Register by 7/13.

We are also offering our “Healthy Eats” option. For an additional $2.50/person everyone will receive a bag of healthy vegetables to take home with them. They are picked fresh from our high tunnel or garden the morning of your program. Suggestions on how to use the vegetable will be given as well! Sign up for this option can be at the time of registration or at the check in on the day of the Open House.