Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center in Laconia, NH

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Learn More About Fledglings Preschool

Explore with Us

COVID-Safe Community Connections Programs

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Explore with Us

Registration for Spring & Summer WildQuest Camps NOW OPEN!

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Explore with Us

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Exploring and preserving the natural world, one adventure at a time

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Community Connections Programs

Prescott Farm is dedicated to providing year-round environmental education programs for all ages and a place in the Lakes Region community that encourages curiosity, discovery, fun and connection to the natural world.

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Plan a Visit/Adventure Packs

Unplug, relax and explore our 160 acres of field, forest and gardens on our 3+ miles of nature trails and Natural Playscape, open 365 days per year from dawn until dusk. Or, Take your visit to the next level – try an Adventure Pack!

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WildQuest Day Camps

Our nature-themed WildQuest Day Camps offer children ages 4-14 the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in nature through Quests, arts & crafts, games and activities.

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Get Involved

As a non-profit organization, Prescott Farm depends on donors, community business partners, members, volunteers and guests to help us carry out our mission to provide the New Hampshire Lakes Region with high-quality environmental education.

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Fledglings Preschool

Fledglings Nature-Based Preschool at Prescott Farm is a fully licensed program offering children ages 3 – 5 the educational foundation they need to succeed in school while awakening in each child a natural curiosity and respect for nature.

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For Schools

Our environmental educators will work with you to give your students an unforgettable experience in the natural world, at your school or here at the Farm.

News & Upcoming Events

	October 2021
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1	2 Fall Foliage Tour Fall Foliage Tour October 2, 2021 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 As we approach peak foliage, take a guided trek to get an up-close glimpse of the colors of fall. Along the way, you will learn about tree identification, the science of color change, and more. Conclude the program with a view of the Belknap Range from our historic barn. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $12 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: All Physical Demand: [5] See more details Wild Mushroom Walk: In Depth Wild Mushroom Walk: In Depth October 2, 2021 10:00 am - 1:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 This 3-hour session with the New Hampshire Mushroom Company gives time to dig deeper and take a more advanced look at the fascinating world of fungi. Whether you are new to mushrooms, have read a book or two, or are an experienced forager, you will leave with new knowledge and insights. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $40 ($30 for Members) Recommended Ages: Adult Physical Demand: [5] See more details Painting at Prescott Farm Painting at Prescott Farm October 2, 2021 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 Let the beauty of nature at Prescott Farm inspire you as you create a seasonal painting. Tom Hitchcock, President of the Lakes Region Art Association, will guide you at any level of painting ability to walk away with a piece of art that you love. Choose from pencil drawing or acrylic ink. Supplies will be available, but you are welcome to bring your own. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $40 ($25 for Members) Recommended Ages: All (mature youth welcome) Physical Demand: [2] See more details Soapmaking 101 Soapmaking 101 October 2, 2021 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 The 10/2 program is fully booked. You can use the registration link to be added to the waitlist or call our office (603-366-5695). Learn how to safely make your very own soap. We will cover the basics of soapmaking, and each participant will take home about 10 bars of seasonally scented soap to enjoy. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: Cost: $90 per station for nonmembers ($40 per station for Members) Recommended Ages: All Physical Demand: [5] See more details • • • •
3	4	5 Organic Gardening: Monthly Update Organic Gardening: Monthly Update October 5, 2021 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 Throughout the growing season, we will meet monthly to discuss your observations, questions, and tips for the weeks ahead while using the Learning Garden at Prescott Farm as an example. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $12 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: All Physical Demand: [4] See more details •	6	7 Polliwogs: The Forest Floor Polliwogs: The Forest Floor October 7, 2021 10:00 am - 11:00 am 928 White Oaks Rd, Laconia, NH 03246, USA What can you find at the bottom of the forest floor? Come explore the world beneath our feet! Listen to a story about the forest and do a fun activity. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $6 ($3 for Members) Recommended Ages: Kids 2.5-5 (with Adult) Physical Demand: [3] See more details •	8	9 Quilt Square Pillow Quilt Square Pillow October 9, 2021 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 Before "reduce, reuse, recycle," people reminded one another to “waste not, want not.” Early Americans like the Prescott family would have been careful of their resources too, including turning scraps of fabric into quilts. Bring your own fabric scraps and learn the basics with a period pattern. We will piece together the top and participants will receive written instructions for how to finish their pillow. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $22 ($10 for Members) Recommended Ages: All (Note: pins and needles will be used. Please bring children at your discretion) Physical Demand: [5] See more details Tree & Shrub Identification Workshop by Tom Foster Tree & Shrub Identification Workshop by Tom Foster October 9, 2021 10:00 am - 12:30 pm 928 White Oaks Rd, Laconia, NH 03246, USA Prescott Farm has over 70 species of woody trees, shrubs and vines. Most are native to New Hampshire and a few are non-native or so-called invasive. Guest instructor and Forestry Expert, Tom Foster, leads this workshop and will cover basic summer and winter identification characteristics such as leaves, twigs, buds, and bark of the most commonly found species. Guests will learn from a knowledgeable and experienced teacher in a beautiful setting. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $12 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: Adult Physical Demand: [5] See more details Fall Foliage Tour Fall Foliage Tour October 9, 2021 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 As we approach peak foliage, take a guided trek to get an up-close glimpse of the colors of fall. Along the way, you will learn about tree identification, the science of color change, and more. Conclude the program with a view of the Belknap Range from our historic barn. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $12 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: All Physical Demand: [5] See more details • • •
10	11	12	13	14 Polliwogs: Backyard Birds Polliwogs: Backyard Birds October 14, 2021 10:00 am - 11:00 am 928 White Oaks Rd, Laconia, NH 03246, USA Who is that bird in your backyard? Let’s learn some more about them, listen to astory, and make a birds’ nest using your “beak!” REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $6 ($3 for Members) Recommended Ages: Kids 2.5-5 (with Adult) Physical Demand: [3] See more details •	15	16 Wilderness Skills: Orienteering Wilderness Skills: Orienteering October 16, 2021 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 Learn to navigate the world around you. Discover how a compass works, and head outside to learn how to use this tool to navigate. Challenge yourself to complete an orienteering course using your new skills. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $12 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: All Physical Demand: [4] See more details Autumn Leaf Décor Autumn Leaf Décor October 16, 2021 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 The reds, oranges, and yellows of fall in New Hampshire are here! Preserve the beauty with a craft that will remind you of these vibrant hues even after the trees are bare. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $25 ($12for Members) Recommended Ages: All Physical Demand: [5] See more details • •
17	18	19	20 Full Moon Hike Full Moon Hike October 20, 2021 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 Explore Prescott Farm in a different and special way. Inspired by the weather and the dynamic calendar of the natural world, topics discussed on our moonlit walk will vary but may include: identifying constellations, discussing the habits of nocturnal animals, and practicing your own night vision abilities. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $15 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: Adult Physical Demand: [5] See more details •	21 Polliwogs: Amazing Owls Polliwogs: Amazing Owls October 21, 2021 10:00 am - 11:00 am 928 White Oaks Rd, Laconia, NH 03246, USA Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Whois making that sound at night? Learnabout the biggest and smallest owl in our woods! Listen to a story and participate in acreative activity. REGISTER ONLINE Cost:$6 ($3 for Members) Recommended Ages: Kids 2.5-5 (with Adult) Physical Demand: [3] See more details •	22	23 Wilderness Skills: Most Dangerous Thing in the Woods Wilderness Skills: Most Dangerous Thing in the Woods October 23, 2021 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 Explore the risks and dangers of playing outside and what you can do to make sure your adventure is safe and fun. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $12 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: Adult Physical Demand: [4] See more details Naturalist Led Hike Naturalist Led Hike October 23, 2021 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 Explore the trails of Prescott Farm through the eyes of a naturalist. Changes occur in the forest and fields every day, so there is always something new to observe. This time of year, you will witness evidence of plants and animals preparing for winter, as well as the last few signs of warmer days. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $12 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: All Physical Demand: [5] See more details • •
24	25	26	27	28 Polliwogs: Pumpkin on the Vine Polliwogs: Pumpkin on the Vine October 28, 2021 10:00 am - 11:00 am 928 White Oaks Rd, Laconia, NH 03246, USA Take a peek inside a pumpkin while we learn about pumpkinsand how they grow! We will read a storyand participate in a pumpkin activity. REGISTER ONLINE Cost:$6 ($3 for Members) Recommended Ages: Kids 2.5-5 (with Adult) Physical Demand: [3] See more details •	29	30 Wilderness Skills: Fires Wilderness Skills: Fires October 30, 2021 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 What does a fire need to survive? Learn how to get a fire started, keep it happy, and make sure it is all the way out. Celebrate your success with some roasted marshmallows. REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $12 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: All Physical Demand: [4] See more details Species Spotlight: Owls Species Spotlight: Owls October 30, 2021 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, NH 03246 Spend your evening with the owls. We will find out which species live at Prescott Farm, learn their calls, and conduct a survey of resident owls. Be prepared for a Halloween spook if we see one fly past! REGISTER ONLINE Cost: $15 (Free for Members) Recommended Ages: All Physical Demand: [5] See more details • •
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What they say about us

The traditional farm skills and wildlife habitat lessons taught and demonstrated in a natural environment by the staff nurtures and stimulates involvement by the children beyond anything they might experience elsewhere. It’s just rewarding to be involved, though even in such a small way, when you can see the results first hand.

The past few years as volunteers at Prescott Farm, Janice and I have been enriched with the opportunity to introduce youngsters to a dairy goat while experiencing the wonder and curiosity of the children as many meet face to face with their first farm animal.

We’ve enjoyed helping during both Harvest and Winter public events almost as much as reveling in the excitement as our grandchildren share what they’ve learned and enjoyed most at the end of each day at ‘camp’ during the drive home.