Prairie Explorers: A Growing Season

Prairie Explorers: A Growing Season Children's Farm Programming at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery

Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM $250 per child, per week | Ages 6–10 & 11-13 | Spots limited to 8 per age group

Prairie Fruits Farm is a working goat dairy, creamery, and agritourism destination on 28 acres of pastured prairie in Champaign, Illinois. This summer, we're opening our farm to a small group of young people for an immersive weekly program rooted in the rhythms of farm life.

Prairie Explorers: A Growing Season runs eight weeks across June and July. Each week carries its own theme — from soil science and pollinators to creamery processes and kitchen skills — with daily activities that blend hands-on learning, creative projects, and time outdoors. Sessions are kept intentionally small. With just 8 spots per age group, every child gets real engagement with the farm, the land, and the people who work it.

Each day includes:

• A morning discovery session

• A guided craft or creative project

• A physical challenge or farm-based game

• Lunch and stewardship time (kids help with light farm tasks)

• A daily snack (granola bar, fruit, and drink)

Each week, children take home original artwork, nature crafts, and hands-on project takeaways tied to that week's theme. First-time Prairie Explorers also receive a program t-shirt on their first day.

Who this is for: Children ages 6–9 and 10–13 are enrolled in separate age groups with programming scaled to their level. Siblings and families with children in both groups are welcome — register each child in their appropriate age group. Spots are first come, first served.

What to bring: A sack lunch, a reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing. We are a working farm — expect dirt, sun, animals, and fresh air.

Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL 61822. Parking is available on site. Look for orange cones at the entrance to the gravel ot.

A waitlist is available for sold-out weeks. Contact Kristine at Kristine@cibakehouse.com with questions about the program.

2026 Weekly Schedule

Week 1: Welcome Week | June 1–5

Week 2: Berry Wild | June 8–12

Week 3: Summer Solstice | June 15–19

Week 4: The Busy Barn | June 22–26

Week 5: Stars & Stripes | June 29–July 3

No program July 4th week 

Week 6: The Creamery | July 6–10

Week 7: Garden Helpers | July 13–17

Week 8: Kitchen Skills | July 20–24

Week 9: Golden Hour | July 27–31

Registration & Cancellation Policy

Registration is per child, per week. Families may register for multiple weeks individually. Go to the top of page and select different date to choose sessions.

There is no refunds once signed up for a session. Cancellations made at least five business days in advance may be eligible for a credit toward a future week, subject to availability.

No refunds or credits will be issued once a session begins.

Registration is first come, first served. A waitlist is available for sessions that reach capacity.

For questions, contact Kristine at Kristine@cibakehouse.com.