Spring Programs
For schools and other youth groups
April-May 2024

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE A VISIT, please call the Graves Mountain Lodge Reservation Office at (540) 923-4231 with your name, name of the school or organization, day and evening phone numbers and if a teacher, time of planning period.
Each program includes introductory lesson plans for advance use in the classroom and suggested follow-up activities to aid retention. * 1 adult chaperon per 10 children may participate free of charge.  Prices listed are subject to change.  Please call for current pricing, availability and to schedule your tour.

Children’s Barnyard and Garden (Enhanced Tour):
(1.5 hours, four classes maximum)
The Basic Tour with additional activities and more in-depth instruction provided by the Farm educational staff. Activities may include candling developing chicken eggs, spinning wool with drop spindles, planting tubers or bulbs, making wildlife tracks, and activities related to animal classification and adaptations. Graves Mountain Farm coloring book included.
Fee: $8.00 per person. $320.00 minimum charge per group.

"Egg-citement" Tour:
(1.5 hours, four classes maximum)
Through a series of hands-on activities at the chicken house and farm pond, students will investigate the beginning of life of several species. Young visitors can observe an assortment of chicken, amphibian and insect eggs, view developing chicken embryos, go on an egg hunt and complete an art activity related to bird nests. (Each child gets to take home one plastic egg with a toy animal inside and/or an age-appropriate craft and a Graves Mountain Farm coloring book.
(Information pertains to Science SOLs K.6, K.8, 1.5, 1.7, 2.4, 3.4, 3.8, 4.5)
Fee: $8.00 per person. $320.00 minimum charge per group.

Aquatic Adventure:
Aquatic life cycles, adaptations and water quality: (2 hours, two classes maximum per session)
After an introductory activity, students will conduct a sampling of pond life at the farm and a macro-invertebrate (aquatic organism) survey of the Rose River (the river that runs through our property). They will learn how the results can be an indicator of water quality and what we all can do to take care of our watersheds. Each student will have the opportunity to use seine and dip nets. Includes a Graves Mountain Farm coloring book.
(Information pertains to Science SOL's 2.4, 2.8, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 4.5, 4.8, 5.7, 6.9, 6.11, LS.4, LS.5, LS.7, LS.10, LS.11, LS.12)
Fee: $10.00 per person. $400.00 minimum charge per group.

What's the Buzz? Springtime in the Orchard:
(1.5 hours, four classes maximum)
While the apple and peach trees bloom, the orchard is literally buzzing with activity. This program focuses on the reproduction of flowering plants and the critical role of pollinators. After viewing an observation beehive and playing a pollination game, students will travel to the Graves Mountain Orchard via hay wagon. While there, they will participate in several activities related to flowering plants and insects. Each child will receive a honey straw or vegetable or flower seedling suitable for container gardening and a Graves Mountain Farm coloring book.
(Information pertains to Science SOLs K.6, K.8, 1.4, 1.7, 2.4, 2.8, 3.10, 4.4, 4.5, 5.5)
Fee: $8.00 by itself. $320.00 minimum charge per group.

*Approximate 30 minute (non-instructional) hayrides are available for an additional $1.00 per person ($40.00 minimum fee) for those groups that do not receive them as a part of their selected program.

* Groups of less than 40 people interested in sharing the minimum charge with another small group, should call early in the season so an appropriate partner group can be located. Program day and starting time must be the same.

Fall Programs
For schools and other youth groups
September -November 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE A VISIT Call Graves Mountain Lodge at (540) 923-4231 and leave your name, school or organization, day and evening phone numbers and if a teacher, time of planning period. Your call will be returned shortly.
Each program includes introductory lesson plans for advance use in the classroom and suggested follow-up activities to aid retention. * 1 adult chaperon per 10 children may participate free of charge. Groups of 75 or less may be scheduled the same day with smaller groups.

 

Apple Harvest Tour:
(1.5 hours, six classes maximum)
After an introductory activity on fruit and seeds, visitors will travel by hay wagon to the Graves Mountain Orchard and Packing Shed. While picking 5 apples to take home, students will learn about the life cycle of the apple tree, apple production in Virginia, the nutritional value of apples and the concept of value added products. Young visitors will have the opportunity to weigh and measure their apples. Groups visiting after the second week of October will select apples from the packing shed. Those wanting to guarantee a high quality tree picking experience must come prior to October 3. Graves Mountain Farm coloring book included.
(Information pertains to History and Social Science SOLs K.1, K.2, K.6, K.7, 1.1, 1.6, 1.7, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7, 2.9, 3.7, VS.2b, VS.2e, VS.6c, VS.9a, VS.10b, VS.10c and Science SOLs K.1, K.6, 1.4, 1.7, 2.4, 2.5, 2.8, 3.8, 4.4,4.8)
Fee: $8.00 per person. $320.00 minimum charge per group.

Pumpkin Patch Tour:
(1.5 hours, six classes maximum)
Exclusive to the New World, beans, corn and pumpkins were staples in the diet of the Native Americans who called them “The Three Sisters.” Students will travel by hay wagon to the Pumpkin Patch. After selecting a pumpkin, (that can be weighed and measured) the group will visit the “Three Sisters Garden” to act out a short Native American story related to these plants. Graves Mountain Farm coloring book included.
(Information pertains to History and Social Science SOLs K.1, K.2, K.6, 1.1, 1.6, 1.12, 2.2, 2.4, 2.7, 2.12, 3.3, 3.7, 3.12, VS.2d, VS.2e, VS.4b, and Science SOLs K.6, K.8, 1.4, 1.5, 2.4, 2.8, 3.4, 4.4)
Fee: $8.00 per person. $320.00 minimum charge per group.

Apple Harvest - Pumpkin Patch Tour:
(1.5 - 2 hours, six classes maximum)
A condensed version of the two previous tours, stops will include the Apple Orchard, Pumpkin Patch and possibly the Apple Packing Shed, depending upon the size of the group and time constraints. Includes a Graves Mountain Farm coloring book.
Fee: $10.00 per person. $400.00 minimum charge per group.

* Groups of less than 20 people interested in sharing the minimum charge with another small group, should call early in the season so an appropriate partner group can be located. Program day and starting time must be the same.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE A VISIT Call Graves Mountain Lodge at (540) 923-4231 and leave your name, school or organization, day and evening phone numbers and time of planning period. Your call will be returned shortly.