Animals, Farming and Kids – A Perfect Match

Animals, nature and the outdoors speak to kids in a way that can deeply enrich their lives.  With technology surrounding most of us much of the time and a lack of wide open spaces, the desire to connect with the outdoors can be difficult to fulfill. I was very fortunate to have grown up on 15 acres just outside of town.  It was the best of both worlds-close enough to the city to take advantage of all it has to offer, but out of town in a what seemed like a world away.
Like many of us, I grew up and moved on.  My love of the farm did not move on and it drew me back as an adult with my husband and children.  When we returned, we knew we had to share the farm.  Now, we have the joy of sharing the experience of the family farm with the public.
We started by teaming up with Royal Red Farms for horse training and lessons.  Then, last year we expanded offering birthday parties, events and classes.  By the summer, we had developed an incredible Summer Camp, full of horseback riding, goat milking, gardening, games, crafts, chicks, bunnies, and so much fun.  In the fall, we planned a day of pumpkins that rapidly became a month-long Harvest Festival full of pumpkins, ponies, pigs, straw bales and so much fun! We ended the year with a wonderful Holiday Hoedown that we hope will become an annual tradition.
This year, we have so many ways to engage with the farm to get that magical connection!  We’ll have our first ever Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Fling on Saturday April 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Stop by on any Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a pony ride, wagon ride, farm craft, and visit to the petting zoo.  We offer field trips; horseback riding lessons; classes; birthday parties; weddings; events; scouting events; and five weeks of our incredible Summer Camp-including a Family Camp Out on July 7 and July 8!  Enroll in camp by May 1 to save $50 off enrollment.
Gilchrist Farm is owned and operated with love by Jim and Monica Gilchrist.  It is located at 30116 Bouquet Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  It is open to the public on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Details at www.gilchristfarm.com.  Contact Gilchrist Farm at 661-645-2517 or info@gilchristfarm.com.  See us on Facebook @GilchristFarmSCV.