School Tour Policies and Procedures
Chaperones:
We request a maximum of one adult to five children for the Fall Harvest Education Program (the classroom teacher is not included in this ratio). With over two decades of experience of leading farm education tours, we feel this is the best ratio to maximize the educational experience for the students. If your group exceeds this 1 to 5 ratio, then you must register for our Pumpkin Experience Tour. Please note, we cannot accommodate younger siblings on our tours, so other childcare arrangements should be made. We encourage teachers to share with their chaperones our School Tour Chaperone Guidelines, full of good suggestions on how they can contribute to a great day for the students.
Enrollment:
Payment in full is expected for all participants registered for the program. Students who are absent on the day of the field trip can each be brought a pumpkin, a reusable harvest bag, and an apple. Absent students and chaperones will still be counted on the invoice since spaces were reserved for them.
Payment in full is expected for all participants registered for the program. Students who are absent on the day of the field trip can each be brought a pumpkin, a reusable harvest bag, and an apple. Absent students and chaperones will still be counted on the invoice since spaces were reserved for them.
Hayride capacity is limited to 50 people total for safety and insurance regulations. Extra parents or chaperones may not walk alongside the hay wagon or walk out to the fields. After the field program, additional parents may join the class in the Harvest Yard for the self-guided tour. Please note that we cannot accommodate younger siblings during our fall programs.
Cancellations:
If a school cancels its reservation 3 days (72hours) after it has been sent the confirmation email from the farm registrar, the school will be responsible for 50% of the total program cost as a cancellation fee. This is because when a school cancels its reservation, it is very difficult for a school on our waiting listing to have enough time to schedule the field trip.
If a school cancels its reservation 3 days (72hours) after it has been sent the confirmation email from the farm registrar, the school will be responsible for 50% of the total program cost as a cancellation fee. This is because when a school cancels its reservation, it is very difficult for a school on our waiting listing to have enough time to schedule the field trip.
Arrival:
All classes are at the Pumpkinseed Hill Farm at 120 Beardsley Road in Shelton (not at our Christmas tree farm location). Teachers are encouraged to print the school fall tour driving directions. Upon arrival, your group will be greeted by our farm host at the school check-in table. Please be sure to allow enough travel time to reach the Farm for your scheduled appointment. Classes arriving late may miss the hay wagon tour. We suggest arriving about ten minutes early so we can take care of the bookkeeping and so your class can get the full benefit of their reserved time on the farm.
All classes are at the Pumpkinseed Hill Farm at 120 Beardsley Road in Shelton (not at our Christmas tree farm location). Teachers are encouraged to print the school fall tour driving directions. Upon arrival, your group will be greeted by our farm host at the school check-in table. Please be sure to allow enough travel time to reach the Farm for your scheduled appointment. Classes arriving late may miss the hay wagon tour. We suggest arriving about ten minutes early so we can take care of the bookkeeping and so your class can get the full benefit of their reserved time on the farm.
Payment:
Payment is required just before the start of your tour. Payment by check is appreciated. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept credit cards.
Payment is required just before the start of your tour. Payment by check is appreciated. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept credit cards.
Clothing:
All programs are held outside. Students and teachers should wear clothing and footgear appropriate for an active outdoor walk on farm paths. Please see the “Dress Like a Farmer” section for more information. The farm is on a hill and it may be windy. Warm coats and hats are encouraged. Boots are also suggested, especially for the morning tours when the fields are wet with heavy dew.
All programs are held outside. Students and teachers should wear clothing and footgear appropriate for an active outdoor walk on farm paths. Please see the “Dress Like a Farmer” section for more information. The farm is on a hill and it may be windy. Warm coats and hats are encouraged. Boots are also suggested, especially for the morning tours when the fields are wet with heavy dew.
Nametag:
Before arriving to the farm, each child should wear a Jones Family Farms nametag (which will be sent in the mail after the program is confirmed) on his or her outer jacket, so our farmers can identify your students. The nametag is also put in the pumpkin bag at the completion of the tour to identify each child’s pumpkin. Teachers and chaperones are encouraged to wear their Jones Family Farms nametag to help our farmers identify your group.
Before arriving to the farm, each child should wear a Jones Family Farms nametag (which will be sent in the mail after the program is confirmed) on his or her outer jacket, so our farmers can identify your students. The nametag is also put in the pumpkin bag at the completion of the tour to identify each child’s pumpkin. Teachers and chaperones are encouraged to wear their Jones Family Farms nametag to help our farmers identify your group.
Rainy Weather:
Teachers should not cancel due to rain. In rainy weather, the program is held inside the barn. Farm hay wagon rides are held on drizzly days as long as children have rain jackets. On days of severe weather, school programs may be cancelled by the farm at no cost to the school.
Teachers should not cancel due to rain. In rainy weather, the program is held inside the barn. Farm hay wagon rides are held on drizzly days as long as children have rain jackets. On days of severe weather, school programs may be cancelled by the farm at no cost to the school.
Snacks:
Snacks are allowed on designated grassy areas, outside the Pumpkin Yard. Please note that no food (except apples) or drinks are sold and that there are no picnic tables. We have a Carry In/Carry Out policy; schools must carry back all their refuse as we do not have sufficient trash capacity on the farm. We can recommend local parks for children’s lunches.
Snacks are allowed on designated grassy areas, outside the Pumpkin Yard. Please note that no food (except apples) or drinks are sold and that there are no picnic tables. We have a Carry In/Carry Out policy; schools must carry back all their refuse as we do not have sufficient trash capacity on the farm. We can recommend local parks for children’s lunches.
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