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educational tours

elementary schools - mom's clubs - home school groups - virtual schools

Hosting children at the farm is a great way for us to share our farming experiences with future generations!  We provide a fun and educational excursion for elementary schools, preschools, day-care groups, home school groups, mom's clubs and playgroups.  Tours can be tailored to meet your group's needs.

• Times & Dates

  • This tour-set up and pricing is for 8AM-3:30PM on Mondays-Fridays ONLY. School tours receive a special rate for educational purposes.

  • We also offer special spring tours during April and May

• Activities

  • A regular educational tour last three hours, with the following 30 minute activities:

    • Mona’s Moo-ving Hayride ..will take guests through the pasture to feed the cows and learn about the different breeds of dairy cows.

    • The Corn Maze...is guided by our staff.  We will explain a day in your life with corn and lead the group through the maze.

    • A Pie Pumpkin Each person will receive a “cantaloupe” sized pumpkin - perfect for kids to carry and can be used to make a pie later.

    • Scented & Nursery Rhyme Gardens Our garden areas are fun to smell, touch and just admire! Visitors will learn about why plants give off scents, how they grow, and what the difference is between a plant and a weed! This year we also have worksheets for the garden (if time permits) to ‘search out’ different figurines and nursery rhymes.

    • Farm Animal Discovery Center Visit and learn about the animals in the Kestermeier Cattle Barn.  Guests will feed the goats as well.

    • Sack Lunch · Brown bag lunches can be brought on the farm OR we have items available in the market (at an extra charge.) Each group will have a designated lunch time and reserved space to sit. Please mention if you plan to have lunch with us.

  • All groups are guided during their visit. 

  • Special tours, shorter tours or 'just hayrides' can be scheduled.  Just ask and we'll work with your group.

• Home School & Mom's Clubs Days

  • Each year during the fall season, we schedule at least two days for these special groups.

  • One of the days is always on Columbus Day.

  • Email for details.

• Planning an educational tour

  • Pricing: All school tours are $5.00 per person – including adults and siblings – which are both welcome! Teachers are given a discounted or free admission. These prices discounted from regular public price.  (Don’t forget to collect all admission fees before arrival)

  • Scheduling: Most teachers plan 3-4 weeks in advance. Many repeat tours are scheduled 5-8 weeks ahead of time. We suggest one week in advance at the least as fall dates fill quickly. September is usually better weather than October - especially for young children. 

  • Rain Dates: Rain dates may be scheduled BUT are not guaranteed. Misting rain will not be a problem for tours. There is plenty of inside space and an alternate hayride route to ensure safety for everyone. This is why we ask for your teachers’ home/cell phone numbers – just in case of thunderstorms the morning of your tour. Rain the night before does not mean we cancel tours the following day.

  • Gifts in the Market: The market is open during your tour – we have t-shirts, many crafts, fall produce, fall decorations and much, much more!  Shopping time will be available during lunch or at the end of your tour.

  • Cancellation:  You must call within 24 hours of your scheduled tour. We will invoice $20.00 for a "no show" to each group who does not call to cancel. Exceptions will be allowed for inclement weather.

• Scheduling

  • Please email or call with the following information:

    • Date or day of the week you would like your tour. Tours are scheduled every half hour from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM Monday through Friday.     (Last tour begins at 1PM.) Sorry, the educational price is not available any other times. Mornings are usually busier than afternoons.

    • Tour time – most groups spend 3 hours at the farm.  Again, we can tailor a personal tour for your group.

    • Grade level of students

    • Number of students, teachers, parents, siblings

    • Name of teacher in charge, phone number, home/cell phone (in case of inclement weather)

    • Address of school

    • Transportation method - Know how long it will take you to get to the farm. Allow enough time to load the bus/meet parents before leaving your school to be sure you arrive at your designated time.

    • Lunch plans and usual time your students eat lunch  

• After you schedule - Preparing for the big day

  • Confirmation - You will receive a confirmation sheet in the mail or via email. You must send back a signed copy (scanned in or via US mail) to confirm your reservation

  • Transportation - Confirm with bus drivers as to directions and time leaving.  If parents are driving, please provide maps and specific times they need to arrive so your tour can start on time. If you are late – you will most likely miss your first activity due to other pre-scheduled groups at the farm. 

  • Tour fees - Be sure to collect all tour fees from students, parents, siblings and any others coming to the farm.  We strongly encourage one check per group to speed up the check in process.  Some schools do one check per teacher.  We will refund a child's tour fee if they are absent on the day of the tour.

  • Allergies - Let the farm know of any allergies relating to corn, bees or other things students may interact with at the farm.

  • Plastic containers or boxes - Bring these for your groups’ pumpkins if you are coming in vans or on buses.  We will put your pumpkins together after the children choose them, but having a container will make your trip back to school much easier!

  • Hot Days - May require extra water for your group.  Please plan accordingly.

  • Cold Days - Be sure students have appropriate clothing to stay warm.

  • Clothing - All visitors must wear long pants, long sleeved shirts and old, comfortable shoes. This is a real farm, so the proper clothing will help keep the children safe.  Areas around the farm may be muddy even if it is not raining.  Thus, we suggest rubber boots or old shoes be worn to the farm. 

• Arriving at the farm

  • Teachers/group leaders should have money collected.  Check in at the market under the big barn to get tour tags and wrist bands.

  • All tours must be paid for in full upon arrival. If you require a purchase order, please plan ahead. There will be no exceptions.  Money from children, parents and other guests must be collected before coming to the farm.  Parents and siblings pay the same $5.00 as students (sorry, no discounts.)  To make things flow smoothly upon arrive, we ask that you pay by check.  Personal, school or PTO checks are accepted.  Please make checks payable to “Sweetapple Farm Market.”

  • You may put lunch items in the building where you will eat lunch.

15 min from Parkersburg Toll Bridge

15 min from West Marietta - SR7 & SR 550

Across from Warren High School 

149 Sweetapple Rd,  Vincent, Ohio

cows@sweetapplefarm.com

740-678-7447

directions      farmstead map      corn maze      site map