Located along the Potomac River, students will get hands-on and minds-on in an outdoor, natural environment. Students will explore scientific and academic concepts through experiential learning. Students are immersed in nature to experience and explore the marsh, forest and river ecosystems.

Look out over the Potomac River to gain a historical and current understanding of how people impact the watershed. Explore our historic farm and meet our friendly barn animals to understand their role in our lives and environment. 

Take action by participating in a riverside litter cleanup and learn more about what we can all do to protect nature. 

Field Studies curriculum is adjusted for students K-12.  

Students may eat lunch at the farm. The day typically runs from 10 AM to 2 PM.

* Note: Times and activities may vary according to the seasons, weather conditions, bus schedules, other AFF onsite activities or interests and needs of the group.

Your students get to stay until 7pm! Program is similar to the day program but adds in dinner, a hayride and s’mores around the campfire!

Stay the night in our cabins at Hard Bargain Farm!

The overnight program is designed for students grades 3-8 and consists of two days of age-appropriate activities, which typically run from 10 AM to 8 PM (Day 1) and 8 AM to 12 PM (Day 2).

Day 1 of the curriculum is similar to the day program which focuses on habitats, ecosystems, watersheds, human impact on the environment and what we can all do to help. Curriculum can be adjusted for the age and interests of the group. Of course, this includes meeting our farm animals! Then enjoy a wagon ride to the Potomac River, dinner and a campfire with s’mores under the stars. (weather permitting).

Day 2 of the program begins at 8 AM in the barnyard to help with chores or milk our cow. Build student confidence and team skills in our Challenge Course and then head out to explore the garden and learn about native plants. Students will participate in an interactive learning activity, Who Polluted the Potomac? that reveals students’ connection to the environment of the Potomac River and how we can all help protect our environment.

The Alice Ferguson Foundation’s team of experienced educators can come to your classroom to run interactive science activities and teach hands-on environmental science. Our programs can engage students on real-world relevant topics such as the impact of waste and trash, how the water cycle works and the habits and life-cycles of the animals around us. Our educators can also visit your classroom before and after a day or overnight field trip to engage students in pre- and post- field trip activities that tie the field trip into the students overall science learning in the classroom.

*We are not currently offering this program option.*  

Designed for: Students 3rd to 6th grade.

Time: 1-2 hours during the school day.

We bring science to life in parks across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. Our Bridging The Watershed program, in partnership with the National Park Service, engages students in meaningful watershed educational experiences through hands-on, curriculum-based outdoor studies in national parks and public lands. Students investigate subjects related to watersheds, ecosystems, and human impacts on the environment.

Designed for: Students in 6th grade.

Time: 3-5 hours during the school day.