Adventure Packs
At Prescott Farm, guests of all ages and experience levels can enjoy time on the Farm with Adventure Packs. Adaptable, educational, and most of all fun, Adventure Packs can be tackled as a solo mission, with a partner, or even with a group of friends & family members. Everything you need is provided inside the Adventure Packs, including activities, games and fun facts to impress your friends. FREE to reserve for Members, $15 for Non-Members. See below for available topics and how to choose the perfect interest/experience level for your group.
Select a seasonal topic:
Is It Time Yet?
Winter can seem like a quiet time, a waiting time, in the natural world. However, there is a lot going on! Explore the passage of time on your adventure today. Begin by learning about time in the plant and animal world. Then, look into how the earth’s movement around the sun affects human perceptions of time and seasons. Finally, take an imaginary step back into the bigger picture with geologic time and some poetry.
Snow Science
Water is familiar and essential, but also fascinating and beautiful– especially when it comes as snow. White, flakey, and cold, use science to investigate how this winter precipitation forms in beautiful shapes, blankets the earth’s surface, and does not stop changing from the moment it is formed in the clouds to when it disappears in the sunlight.
Tracking
Explore our native wildlife through games and activities surround their tracks in the snow and mud! You will learn to interpret their footprints to see how animals move and their behavior as you explore the natural world.
Pick your level A(nt), B(utterfly), or C(row) and go explore!
Be sure to post your adventure to social media with #PFadventurepacks. Suggested adventure time is about 2 hours. Please contact our office if you have any questions.
Cost to reserve: FREE for Members, $15 for Non-Members
Playscape & Trail Scavenger Hunts
Can you spot the buds on a maple tree along the Red Trail? Are those ferns coming up next to the Blue Trail? Where-oh-where is that big owl in the nature playscape?
Our educators have created three fun Scavenger Hunts for explorers of every age. But look out – you might just learn something, too! Head to the Prescott Farm Pardoe Center and ask to borrow one. then choose where you want to test your ‘Eye Spy’ skills!
Geocaching
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- Have a few hours of fun on the trails with this Quest written up by Prescott Farm’s environmental educators. Download the PDF here for outdoor adventure! Downloadable Visitor Quest Clues PDF Happy exploring!
- You can pick up a trail map in the green mailbox at the corner of the Samuel P. Pardoe Building, refer to the big map in the kiosk in the visitor parking area, or to download a PDF Trail Map, click here (updated June 2016).
- We have a geocache/letterbox on the property. For more information on finding it, please visit the official Geocaching Website.
Plein Air Painting
Plein air painting embraces the connection between art and nature: bring your paint supplies to your favorite outdoor space and create a work of art to capture the natural beauty of that moment.
Prescott Farm’s landscape is the perfect setting whether you are starting your plein air journey or looking to advance your existing skills. We have identified 5 locations that we recommend as places to set up:
- Top of the Hill looking down at barn
- Garden near rock steps by the barn
- Maple Sugar Shack
- On the hiking trails
- Under the Big Tree or near the Big Rock close to the Lower Parking Lot
When can I come do plein air at Prescott Farm?
Prescott Farm’s property is open to the public from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. You are welcome to come at any time and enjoy our outdoor spaces! Visit PrescottFarm.org to learn more about our 160-acre property and 3+ miles of trails.
Our Education Center is staffed Monday-Saturday from 9am-4pm (closed on most public holidays) for questions and restrooms. We regularly have programs taking place including youth programs. Please respect the spaces they are using.
What supplies do I need to do plein air?
Just some basic art supplies, a chair, and a surface to paint or draw on are all you need! See the two-page expert from Art to You with Larry by Larry Frates for more information about getting started with plein air. Copies of Art to You with Larry are available in the Prescott Farm gift shop.
What if I want more instructions on my plein air art?
We offer seasonal programs where Larry Frates, local artist, art educator and Prescott Farm’s Creative Arts Consultant, will provide additional tips, tricks, and critiques to bring your plein air art to the next level. Programs are scheduled on select Saturdays during the year. Individuals may view our upcoming programs and register here for one or both sessions.
Larry also offers his own art classes every Wednesday, also at Prescott Farm from 9-11:30 am. For more information, please email lfrates@prescottfarm.org.
Can I showcase the art I make?
Yes! We display plein air artwork done at Prescott Farm at our annual Harvest Festival. Harvest Festival is a free community event on the last Saturday in September from 10am-3pm. Artwork must be dropped off at Prescott Farm by September 1st.
Other details:
- Artwork needs to be framed, not to exceed 12″ x 16″ (framed).
- Drop off ready-to-hang art (with wire backing only) between 9 – 4pm to Prescott Farm by September 1st;
- The exhibition is limited to 24 artists so register early!
- No entry fee.