Programs by Request

Willowsford Conservancy offers a wide range of engaging, guided programs that are ideal for school youth groups,  scouting troops, homeschool groups, and community organizations of all kinds. These programs encourage curiosity and hands-on exploration while fostering environmental stewardship, and—most importantly—having fun.

Whether you’re looking to fulfill badge, enrich a curriculum, or simply enjoy a day outdoors with your group, our programs offer options for a variety of ages and interests. Each program is thoughtfully designed to align with specific learning goals while providing an engaging and memorable outdoor experience for participants.

Streams, Macroinvertebrates, and Watershed Health
Explore local streams with Virginia-certified stream monitors, discover the organisms living beneath the water’s surface, and understand what they can tell us about the ecosystem’s health. Expect to get wet

Aligned with VA SOLs for grades K–8, including scientific and engineering practices, ecosystems, watersheds, and human impacts.

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Ages: This program can be adjusted for all ages from elementary ages to highschoolers. For the best educational takeaway, we find that ages 7+ do the best.

Group Size: To help protect the sensitive nature of our stream ecosystem, this program is best suited for groups of 15 participants or fewer. If you have a larger group and are interested in this program,  reach out—we may be able to explore options such as splitting the group up into rotating activities.

Compost, Critters, and the Science of Healthy Soil
Discover what makes healthy soil by exploring compost, worms, and the living systems beneath our feet. Participants observe composting worms up close, learn how decomposers recycle nutrients, and explore how soil supports plants, ecosystems, and food production.

Aligned with VA SOLs, including ecosystems and nutrient cycling, organism needs and interactions, human impacts on the environment, and basic measurement skills.

Program Length: 1 Hour

Ages: 8+

Group Size: 20 participants maximum

Guided Hikes and Outdoor Observation
Explore the outdoors through guided hike with one of our Rangers or naturalists on staff. Willowsford is home to over 40 miles of trails winding through forests, grasslands, wetlands, and more, and we love sharing it with you. Please let us know what you are looking to learn about or experience as part of your walk so we can match you with the right trail and right staff member to lead it.

 

Program Length: 1 Hour
Ages: 6+
Group Size: 20 participants maximum

Willowsford Farm is able to accommodate a limited number of school field trips. As a working farm, our staff maintain full schedules and our facilities are not suited for extended visits or very large groups at this time. We hope our capacity will grow in the coming years.

During a visit, our farmers will lead students on a guided tour of the Farm and share insights on a wide range of topics, including soil science, plant science, and sustainable agricultural practices. If there is a specific subject your students are studying or would like to explore further, please let us know when you submit your inquiry.

Length: 1–2 hours

Field trips are easiest to accommodate during our slower season, November through April, when staff availability is greatest.

Seasonal Arts and Crafts Inspired by Nature
Participate in hands-on, nature-themed arts and crafts projects! Our craft programs encourage creativity, observation, and connection to the natural world, while introducing simple environmental concepts. This is a four-season program, and when possible, we take our crafters outside to let nature inspire their creations.

Let us know your group size, age range, and any specific interests and our team will let you know what crafts we can deliver that may be a good fit.

Program Length: 1-3 Hours
Ages: 6+ years
Group Size: 20 participants maximum

Our team loves partnering with local scouting troops to help scouts connect with the outdoors and learn more about the work we do.

For Girl Scouts, please click here to explore our programs designed to meet a variety of badge requirements. Don’t see the badge you’re working on? Let us know, we’re happy to see if we can create a program that fits your needs.

For Boy Scouts, we invite you to reach out if you’re looking for support with specific badges or volunteer projects. Our team is glad to help where we can.

Interested in camping? Visit our Amenity Rentals page to learn more about our available campsites. Hidden Meadow is a favorite among local troops and works especially well for large group camping.

 

Pricing & Availability

Program pricing typically ranges from $5–$20 per participant, depending on factors such as group size, program length, required materials, and the number of staff needed to guide the experience. Our goal is to make our programs accessible and welcoming to as many groups as we can accommodate. If cost presents a barrier, we encourage you to let us know and  reach out anyways.

Program availability is dependent on staff capacity and seasonal workload. As a small team, our workload changes throughout the year, and certain times of the year may be more challenging than others to accommodate program requests. We recommend reaching out well in advance to inquire about dates and help us determine what may be possible for your group.

If you are interested in scheduling one of our programs, please fill out the form below and a staff member will contact you.

Program Request Form

Name(Required)
If there are multiple dates times that would work for your group, please let us know.
Please share more about your group and what you are hoping to get out of the program. Information about the ages of participants, number of adult chaperones that will be present, and any other requirements your group may have are helpful to determine if we will be able to provide your requested program.