School field trip to my sugar shack. Has anyone done this ?

[umpwood1]

Recieved a call from the local elemetary school. They would like to schedule a field trip to my sugar bush / shack this sugar season.
I am very excited and would like to put on a good show. We are going to do the basic educational things, history ect., but was looking to get input from anyone who has done this. I would like to do this in a way that the kids will remember.
I remember being in school and going on field trips.. some you remember some you don't.

Thanks,
Woody

[Pibster]

I think you should make some maple toffee in the snow for them. That's what I remember most about visiting a sugar house when I was a kid.

[lakeview maple]

We did a tour last year for kids and for a college class,it was a lot of fun the kids were great and asked a ton of questions so be ready. We printed out a brochure for them ,it had a simple history about maple syrup and our own history on how we started in the business. We made a bunch of pancakes the night before and they were about the size that when folded would fit in a 8 oz Styrofoam cup . We gave the kids the cups with a pancake and put fresh syrup in the cup, I think they just drank the syrup ,lol. We took them outside and showed them how we do buckets and let them collect some sap ,and put it in the bulk tank , we also showed them the pipeline system and explained it to them. While we were boiling we explained the hydrometer and density of the syrup .The key to it all was to make it as fun as possible ,at the end we gave every kid a small sample bottle ,we found some small glass bottles and they all got one with a small label on it so they could bring mom and dad back to visit.

[red maples]

do a tapping demo. ask the kids questions to see if they know the answer... like who discovered maple syrup, etc this keeps them interested. save the sample to the end.... sugars them up before they go back to school. if you have a cupola you can close the doors for a second and completely fill the sugarhouse with steam they like that one if you have a hood it won't work. I can't do that one anymore. sap tasting. I always give the kids coloring books and crayons to do on the bus on the way back to school. I have also done girl scout troops too some pay in girlscout cookies which is a fine trade off. I always have hot chocolate availiable too.

[PerryFamily]

We did two classes last year, kindergarten and first grade. With the RO it was nice , I made a batch of syrup as they came in, showed the hydrometer and the filtering process, then shut the blower off and went to sampling. The teachers the day prior read a book to them about it so they knew a lot of the items being used. I had some sap in the sample cups to try then syrup to try too. I had some tubing to and taps to check out. And as a prize they each got a piece of maple candy for the ride home. It was a great experience and cant wait for this spring. Good luck , don't over think it and have fun!!

[MapleMounder]

We have had 4-H’s and several 1st grade classes for the last several years. We do as many have suggested, we give the teachers coloring sheets and info ahead of time, they study it in class and usually read a story about making syrup. Then when they come to the farm we show them the bush, let them collect and taste some sap, take them to the sugarhouse show them the process from head tank to draw off and final filter. We immix the history of the process, show them old family hand carved taps etc. We give each of them a little 3 oz plastic jug with syrup. Kids seem to have a good time, school calls each year to ask us if they can come again, plus we get a fair amount of sales once the kids go home and the family tries the syrup. Have fun with it, its great PR.

[umpwood1]

Thanks very much for all who replied !! Very good info. I can't wait for this to happen. I am glad I have time to get my "Ducks in a row".

[Big_Eddy]

Try this thread from last year for ideas.

http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?18691-6th-grade-school-field-trip!!

[wkies]

UMPWOOD1 - I'm more than happy to chat about schools groups. We are a public sugar house and see thousands of students a season. my office number is 203-977-6568.