Climate Change for Kids (February Vacation Week 2022)

February Break 2022 – Climate Change for Kids

Join us at the Farm as we build the next generation of leaders ready to confront the challenges of the climate crisis. Students will learn about the differences between weather and climate, how Earth’s climate works, and about the rapid changes it is now going through. Students will get a chance to build their own weather instruments and perform experiments and demonstrations that show the important role that plants play in reducing carbon in the atmosphere, as well as design landform models to see how different weather affects a variety of landscapes. Inquiry and hands-on learning will drive our understanding of climate and weather, and we will keep journals throughout the week to record our thoughts, feelings, and observations. Questions we will consider this week include: How has the climate changed over time? How do scientists track the climate? What can we do as a community to help combat climate change? 

In a small group setting on the Farm, students will have the space they need to ask questions, get answers, and process the complexities of climate change as we work together toward a more sustainable future. We will see how climate change affects our Farm and the surrounding land, using our space as a living laboratory for exploring the changing world around us.  Each day will feature different projects geared toward understanding climate change, with plenty of time for water breaks and snacks if students choose to bring them. 

Dates: February 21–February 25 (5 days), 9:00–11:30 am

Ages:  7–12

Cost: $250 for the week 

Covid Protocols

Newton Community Farm follows MA and City of Newton protocolas to keep our staff, students, volunteers, and the communtity as safe as possible. Parents must:

• Check their child for COVID-19 sympstoms before they come to the Farm and keep their child home if they have symptoms or illnesses, or if they are requried to quarantine due to symptoms, illness, exposure to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19
• Abide by the state travel restrictions in place during the time their child is enrolled in programs at the Farm
• Attest that their child will wear a mask while at the Farm. Please send in a mask with your child each day. 

As these protocols are constantly evolving, we will update our requirements as needed as we get closer to the start of classes. 

Safety

Newton Community Farm is a working farm and a busy place with equipment, animals, and honey bees onsite. Please note that this program will be a mix of outdoor and indoor settings as weather dictates. Pickup and dropoff will be in the red barn or a tent set up outside as weather allows. For safety, we ask that you do not enter buildings on the Farm. Program participants are only allowed in the building with the permission of staff. Guardians will sign their child in and out of classes each day. For your child to have a great time, we ask that your child wear comfortable play clothes and closed-toed shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring a water bottle with their name on it for socially-distanced water breaks. Please don't forget to send your child in with a mask on and be sure to wear a mask when coming for pick up or drop off. 

Parking

Classes take place at Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459. Please park on Winchester Street (near the red farm stand) and walk down the lane past the chickens to the Learning Garden. You'll see us! If the weather is bad, continue to the barn, up the deck, and inside. Please do NOT park in the farm driveway as we have farm vehicles coming and going. We will communicate any changes to parking due to inclement weather as soon as possible. 

Refund Policy

Cancellations made up to three weeks in advance of your registered start date will receive a full refund, less a $25 administration fee; less than three weeks but more than two weeks in advance will receive a 50% refund, less a $25 administration fee. Cancellations made within two weeks of the start date are non-refundable. Newton Community Farm reserves the right to cancel and/or reschedule a program if necessary.