Outdoor Adventure Sessions
Smart Adventures Outdoors
We Start With Sessions
Carson Simpson Farm’s sessions are designed to inspire your students to learn more about science, ecosystems, and the world around them. Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes instruction and a hands-on activity. All aspects of our sessions are completed outdoors.
We are constantly updating our sessions and can often offer “Off Menu” sessions to meet your students’ needs. Please contact us to discuss topics of interest to you and your class.
Skills-building Sessions
Orienteering
Navigate our wooded and open-field terrain using your choice of map, topographical map, and compass to get from the starting point to the finishing point. You can choose to have your group learn each skill first before testing their knowledge, expertly navigate a challenging course at speed, or any level in between.
Building a Fire
Being able to build a fire is a critical skill for outdoor survival. We depend on fires for heat, light, and cooking. In this session, we will demonstrate up to three different strategies for building a fire, as well as how to find fire materials in the woods. Students will be able to participate in making their own fire.
Hiking
Come explore our woods, fields, creek, and rolling terrain! We will guide you along a route selected for your group’s age level and interests, while encouraging students to use their senses to understand the nature on display around them. Our hiking trails match a beginner’s level and promote good health as well as learning.
Building a Shelter
Survival shelters seem simple, but in reality, they can be difficult to execute! This session focuses on creating shelters in the woods from items students can find or have on their persons. We will cover the importance of shelters, different approaches to shelters, and we will allow students to try their hand at creating a shelter within our woods.
Trapping and Snaring
Learning how to trap and snare wildlife is not only critical to survival training, but it is a skill that could be helpful in managing natural resources. In this session, students will learn the basics of both trapping and snaring, including the background on when, where, and why one would use this skill. They will be able to try making their own traps and snares in our woods, though we will not be attempting to capture any animals at that time.
Fishing in Creeks
A good creek - like the Penny Pack Creek - is a perfect place to learn about fishing in fresh water. In this session, students will be able to find their own fishing rods, learn to string a hook and rod, select bait, and fish! We will discuss what kind of fish inhabit the local creeks of PA, and the importance of clean waterways.
Plant Identification for Wooded Areas
Come with us into the woods! We will guide students through identifying local trees and plants. We place a strong emphasis on identifying potentially harmful plants (such as poison ivy) as well as plants they can expect to find in their local parks or backyard. They will identify different leaf, petal, and bark patterns in this very active session.
Common Plants, Uncommon Uses
Plants have a long history of being used for medicines and holistic healing. We will dive into the history and science of how the chemical properties of certain plants have made them invaluable for specific uses. We will feature a variety of plants commonly found in our area and how they have been used for various oils, tinctures, teas, and medicines.
Wildlife Habitat Discovery
Take a hike through our woods and learn about some of the wildlife habitats thriving there. Students will be encouraged to watch for animal prints and homes while learning how ecosystems within woodland areas are constantly changing and re-balancing.
Cooking Outdoors
Cooking outdoors puts the FUN in “functional” skills. As a group, we will locate fire materials and build a fire designed for cooking. We will discuss fire safety and cooking safety as we demonstrate how to prepare a meal over a fire. Our session will cover shish-kebabs, baking in a can, boiling in a can, frying on a cast iron pan, and steaming in a tin foil bag. Students will be able to eat what they cook!
Scat and Footprint Identification
Take a hike through our woods and learn about some of the types of animals living there by identifying the scat and footprints left along the trails. In this session, we mix education with hands-on experience as we first visually demonstrate the footprints and droppings from animals common to this part of Pennsylvania. Then we will explore the woods looking for animal evidence, seeking to identify the type of animal, the animal’s size, and maybe what it has been eating.
Build Your Own Session
With 60 acres of diverse land, our property offers a broad scope for adventure and discovery. If you are looking to build a session unique to your group’s goals, talk to us about it! We will be happy to work with you to build sessions unique to you.
Adventure and Team-building Sessions
Archery
Among the many skills archery helps develop, we have seen kids learn focus, arm strength, coordination, and self-confidence. Our certified instructors can teach to any level, from introduction to expert. We will teach safety and proper form in this session. The archery course is set up in the natural setting of our woods, so be ready to enjoy a little nature with your practice with a bow!
Slingshots
Slingshots are easier than bows and arrows, but just as fun! (They can also support muscle development, focus, and coordination.) In this session we will take to the woods for our slingshot course where we will discuss safety and mechanics. Our instructors will lead students through how to aim and shoot, guiding everyone from novice to pros. We select ammo and band combinations that enable students of all ages and strengths to participate.
Team-building
One of the most valuable skills for a full life includes teamwork. We are excited to dedicate a full session to team-building activities that will have your students depending on each others’ strengths to complete. Each team-building session is custom-designed for your students’ ages and interests.
Camp Games
Take advantage of our decades of experience running a camp! We can set up and run a variety of games and activities usually enjoyed by our summertime campers. Get your students outside, running around, and enjoying the day with some organized game time.
Build Your Own Session
With 60 acres of diverse land, our property offers a broad scope for scientific discovery. If you are looking to build a session unique to your class’s goals, talk to us about itWe will be happy to work with you to build sessions unique to you.
Flexibility for Your Group
All sessions have been created by staff with backgrounds in working with kids from both urban and suburban areas, as well as a deep knowledge of what Carson Simpson Farm can offer.
We are excited to welcome your group to Carson Simpson Farm! We know that your group comes with unique interests and abilities, and we are excited to match our sessions to your group. Once you Contact Us, we will collaborate with you to create the experience your students will benefit from the most.
