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.
We love to hear from you! For more information about our programs and Kids Unplugged membership please email kidsunpluggedny@gmail.com
Winter 2010--Don't Hibernate, Hike!
Join us this winter as we kick-off a fresh series of Wednesday afternoon hikes and weekend events for families. The coming months are sure to be cold and snowy and Kids Unplugged will be on hand to help save your family from cabin fever.
We'll be exploring the wonderland of winter while learning about animal tracking, survival skills (for both humans and critters!), sleeping trees and other local flora, winter birding and migration patterns and more!
Check out our full winter calendar below.
And remember, there's no such thing as bad weather--just the wrong clothes...
See you on the trails!
Add Your Comments
Dear Kids Unplugged Enthusiasts,
You'll notice that there is a space at the bottom of each of our adventure reports to add your comments. Please do so!
Upcoming Winter Events
A Bit of Kids Unplugged Protocol:
*All hikes will leave 10 minutes after designated meeting time and are an $8 suggested donation per family for non-members.
*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...
*And finally, on all our winter hikes, be sure to dress for the weather. Boots, snowpants, hats and waterproof mittens or gloves are best as warm, dry kids (and parents!) make for happy hikers.
Wednesday, January 6th Wacky Wednesday Walks A Cozy Loop at Halsey Pond, Irvington 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, January 13th Wacky Wednesday Walks Pocantico River Trail, Rockefeller Preserve 3:45 p.m. Saturday, January 16th Family Hike & Nature Study Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, January 20th Wacky Wednesay Walks East Irvington Nature Preserve, Irvington 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, January 23rd Special Event--Hike for Haiti Rockwood Hall, Rockefeller State Park Sleepy Hollow 11:00 a.m. Suggested Donation $20/per family All proceeds will go to UNICEF to support their relief efforts
Wednesday, January 27th Wacky Wednesay Walks Swan Lake Trail, Rockefeller Preserve 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, January 30th Kids Unplugged's 1st Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser! Ridge Road Park, Hartsdale 11:00 a.m. $10/family for members $15/family for non-members
Wednesday, February 3rd Wacky Wednesday Walks Tarrytown Lakes Wilson Park Trail, Tarrytown 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, February 6th Eagle Watching on George's Island George's Island Park, Montrose 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 10th Wacky Wednesday Walks Gory Brook Trail, Rockefeller Preserve 3:45 p.m. Canceled--Enjoy the snow day!
Wednesday, February 24th Wacky Wednesday Walks Greenburgh Nature Center, Scarsdale 4:00 p.m. (please note later time)
Saturday, February 27th Family Birding Hike Westmoreland Sanctuary Bedford Corners, NY 11:00 a.m. Canceled due to weather
The March and April Calendars will be here soon!
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, experience art and theater, 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.
New Seasons of Fun on the Farm are Coming!
Fishkill Farms offers 300-acres of beautiful farmland, orchards, woodlands, pond, creek and meadows to serve as the backdrop for our adventures. Winter and spring programming will be listed here at the beginning of January, so check back soon!
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 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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