Today was the second in our Autumn series of Saturdays on the Farm in Fishkill and we spent the morning in the All Hallow's spirit. In keeping with the ancient Celtic tradition of wearing masks to discourage menacing ghosts from wreaking havoc on their households and next season's crops, the children painted and decorated their own masks. We had the very good fortune of dry weather despite the forecasted rain and were able to spend our morning out on the terrace crafting and baking. Those patient rain clouds also enabled us some solid adventure time around the farm grounds. Luckily everyone arrived today properly bundled and ready to be outside, which made for happy kids and parents all around.
After a frolic in the huge hay pile left over from September's hay maze, we hiked down to visit the chickens to collect eggs--always a treat for the kids--to use for my favorite autumn pumpkin muffins. We filled two baskets and spent some gleeful time among the farm's sweet old laying hens.
After some solid hand washing, the kids all took turns pouring and stirring ingredients. Thanks to a delightful mixing song taught to us by one of our little farmers, everyone passed the bowl around the table with the utmost fairness.
When the muffins were in the oven, we headed out to the meadow to read a story about old Baba Yaga the witch. We finished our meadow circle by stirring our brews to the tune of a creepy witch song before returning to the terrace to decorate our mostly-dry masks. With glitter glue and googly eyes (not very natural, but who can resist googly eyes?), beans and feathers, the children adorned their masks with enthusiasm and creativity. The pictures of their work speak for themselves.
We finished our day with a sweet Halloween story and pumpkin muffins, warm from the oven. Thanks to everyone for helping to create such a lovely morning on the farm!
Below is a slideshow showing some of Debbie Allan's photos of the mornings activities.
Kids Unplugged's weekly hikes and events are open to children of all ages and their families. Scroll down for our complete calendar and details about our upcoming outdoor adventures.
Rockefeller Fridays!
Join us this fall for Rockefeller Fridays, a series of after school hikes in the beautiful Rockefeller State Park Preserve on the first and third Fridays of the month. All hikes will begin at 4:oo p.m. and usually last about an hour.
Autumn Rockefeller Fridays:
September 17th - Pocantico River Trail October 1st - Farm Meadow Trail October 15th - Gory Brook Road Trail November 5th - Rockwood Hall November 19th - Swan Lake Loop on Brother's Path
*All hikes will leave 10 minutes after designated meeting time and are a suggested donation of $5 per family. *A question about the weather: Kids Unplugged will always be at the trail head for a hike unless it's a complete deluge, in which case the cancellation will be posted here.
*Parents are responsible for their children during all of our hikes. These are opportunities to be fully present with our kids in the midst of our busy world (which we'd all like to have more often!). Let's go at their pace for a while...
*Always check yourself and your children for ticks after our hikes, especially when the kids are bushwhacking around in the brush, leaf-litter, or tall grasses. Long pants tucked into socks are always a good idea. For more information about "tick checks" visit the Center for Disease Control's website at: http://www.cdc.gov/features/stopticks/ Scroll down the page for the "tick check" section.
*And finally, on all our hikes, be sure to dress for the weather.Solid shoes, boots or sneakers are best. No flip flops or crocs please!
Become a Member
Kids Unplugged is working toward becoming a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization. A $60 annual family membership entitles your family to participate in all Kids Unplugged events for a calendar year, a 10% discount per child on Fishkill Farms registration fees, and a Kids Unplugged t-shirt. For more information about our programs or to receive a membership application, please contact us atkidsunpluggedny@gmail.com
About Kids Unplugged
The mission of Kids Unplugged is to work towards moving kids outdoors, away from the pull of screens and other electronic media to commune with nature and engage with local, natural and community resources.
Kids Unplugged strives to foster within children a stronger sense of caring for and ownership of the community and planet while nurturing an intrinsic love for nature and the arts through developmentally appropriate exploration and adventure.
It is the hope of Kids Unplugged that children who grow up deeply rooted in this philosophy will become adults with a greater sense of respect and responsibility for our fragile planet and with more meaningful connections to other human beings.
Think Local, Act Local
In this age of ever-pending global calamity, let's not lay the burden of saving the world on the shoulders of the children.
While recycling, rainforest ecology, and protection of endangered species are noble and worthwhile causes for which to fight, visiting the goslings in our local ponds and climbing the trees in our parks and backyards are the best ways to nurture the future stewards of the Earth.
Relax, play, explore.
Join Kids Unplugged.
Great Parent Resources Section!
Scroll WAY down to the bottom of the page, past all the posts, for a section chock-full of fantastic resources for parents. Upcoming talks, book lists, relevant links, etc. Learn more and then get outside!
Folks Who Share Our Vision
The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working nationally and internationally to reconnect children with nature.
The No Child Left Inside Coalition represents more than 1500 organizations and supports federal legislation to expand and improve environmental education in our public schools--the No Child Left Inside Act of 2009. Check them out and jump on the bandwagon!
Fishkill Farms' official site. Visit soon. You'll love Josh and Hannah and the farm.
Something Good in the World at Hilltop Hanover Farm. You must check out their wonderful programs and mission for children and families.
Kids In the Valley, Adventuring! Great Nature Club in the Roanoke Valley, VA. Very inspiring!
National Wildlife Federation's Green Hour--Check out their great ideas for getting the kids OUT!
National Get Outdoors Day, Official Site
Founded by the Children & Nature Network, Nature Rocks seeks to "inspire and empower families to play and explore in nature."
An organization committed to restoring the connection between humanity and the Earth.
The mission of the Farm Based Education Association is to inspire, nurture and promote farm based education.
Visit the Farm Based Education Association for more information about their important work.
Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, Vermont
Shelburne Farms seeks to cultivate a conservation ethic in students, educators and families. Visit their website to learn more about their amazing programs.
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi
Gina is a NY State Certified teacher with an MA in secondary social studies education. After teaching and working in staff development for several years in the NYC public schools, Gina left in 2002 to have her three daughters. Presently on hiatus from teaching to raise the girls (ages 7, 5, &3), Gina has been eager for a project that doesn't involve teaching a small human being how to use the potty.
Add to that a desire to bring about a cultural shift, a passion for the outdoors, a concern for our nations' children and a tendency to stay up way too late and you get Kids Unplugged.
When not in her kitchen or riding the laundry carousel, Gina can be found digging in the garden, swinging on the swings or out hiking with her kids.
Gina & the littlest one on the lama hike, El Capitan Beach (near Santa Barbara), August 2008
The family (sans smallest one) at Acadia Nat'l Park, June 2005
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