School Groups, Preschools, Classes, Kid Groups, & Homeschool families are a big part of our Soule Homestead Family. We have worked with many families and co-ops and we would love to host you. Educational programs, led by our staff are available year round, call to arrange your custom program.
Organized groups or schools planning to use the Homestead without Soule farm led programming should be sure to reach out and contact us at least 3 business days in advance of your planned visit (more info on usage below.) Contact us at 508-947-6744 or email: educator@soulehomestead.org prior to visiting. We reserve the right to limit access to the farm before, during, or after any programing or events we have here. Please note: certain areas of the farm may be closed to the public during Soule programming.
When groups are visiting the Homestead, please remember SHEC is a working farm, and farmers are often working on property. For safety, groups must adhere to the following rules:
- No running
- NO feeding of any animals
- All children must be accompanied by an adult at ALL times
- All visitor MUST wear shoes AT ALL TIMES when on SHEC property
- Guests/Visitors are NOT permitted to enter ANY animal enclosure (I think we should say something about being asked to leave if this rule is broken)
- Be very careful on the farm road and in the parking lot – sometimes cars move way to fast and don’t always see visitors walking around
- Guests/Visitors are asked not to enter classrooms or restricted areas
- Please do not enter any of the community gardens or farm areas
- Sitting on the large rocks around the pavilion is encouraged, but NO standing or jumping on them please!
- Please throw away all trash in the appropriate bins (trash/recycling)
- Guests are welcome to enjoy the children’s area and mud kitchen area, but please refrain from entering the greenhouse
- Please do not climb, sit on or stand on any fences or tables on SHEC property
Soule Homestead Homeschool Programs Offered: Remember we are happy to build the perfect program for you!
- 90-minute low cost field trips:
- choose from several options (visit our Field Trip page for a sample of program topics: Field Trips)
- all meet MA Curriculum Framework Standards
- fun, hands-on active learning
- 30-minute add on activities include:
- nature hike/habitat study: geography / science
- wool and fibers: biology / technology
- composting/soil: biology / horticulture
- 45-1 hour add on activity:
- butter making: science / history
- Custom-designed programs encouraged!
- We will happily work with you to meet your particular educational needs and ensure an enriching and unique experience. (Additional fees may apply to custom designed programs.)
- Outreach visits to your group:
- Our staff will come to your group and can present modified versions of many of our programs. Call or email for more details.
We also encourage Homeschool groups to visit the property which is open sunrise to sunset for their own learning and exploration. Please remember, children should be supervised at all times to help keep visitors, animals, and property safe. Shoes must be worn at all times to keep all visitors big and small safe.
If you plan to have your group visit regularly (more than one planned visit in a year, with a visit being more than one hour), we ask that you contact educator@soulehomestead.org to set up a contract for use. This is typically booked a month in advance. Contracts helps us to ensure your planned visits won’t interfere with our programming and to assess a small usage fee.
Similarly, organized schools and programs who plan to use our farm are asked to let us know in advance, ideally at least 3 business days and if more than one planned visit is anticipated, to pay a small usage fee. As a nonprofit, this fee helps us with the preservation of the farm and to maintain the facilities (i.e. barn, bathrooms, other buildings, etc.).
Pavilion reservations are required for organized groups and rental fees do apply, contact the farm office for more details. Usage time slots are limited to 3 hours at this time.
To help offset the costs of property upkeep and utility usage donations to Soule are always greatly appreciated.