What is peer mentorship?
At The Therapy Farm, our children's programs focus on enriching lives and helping to build developmental skills for children with mental, physical, emotional, or behavioral challenges. One effective way for children to reach their milestones is to be around children who have met those milestones. This is the purpose of our peer mentorship program at The Therapy Farm. For each of our therapy groups and camps for children with special needs, we also have spots for typically developing children to fill in order to model physical and social skills at a developmentally appropriate level to the rest of the group.
What are the requirements to be a peer mentor?
Peer mentorship is open to children ages 2-18 years old. Peer mentors are kids who are able to follow rules well, navigate outdoor environments without difficulty, and understand how to treat others kindly (at their expected developmental level for their age). Peer mentors have no special responsibilities or training. They will get to fully participate in all group activities which will model skills that participants with special needs are growing in. It is also a great opportunity for peer mentors to build understanding and empathy for others with different abilities than themselves.
How do I sign up my child to be a peer mentor?
Fill out an interest form here for the group you would like to join (or click on the register button on this webpage). Peer mentor spots are limited. We will try to honor your date and time preferences, but we also try to pair peer mentors with similarly-matched participants, so we may not have an available spot for the group that you want.
More About our Therapy Groups
Our groups and camps meet on our farm to step away from a busy and artificial environment and into a nurturing and intentional one of nature and animals.
The programs are built around activities that allow children to interact with the natural world with their peers, growing their physical and social skills while fostering problem-solving and creativity.
Activities vary by season and group ability level, but every group will utilize our farm animals, nature-based arts and crafts, and forest space.
As a part of our holistic approach, we address spirituality through a Christian faith. This could include a prayer to bless our session and our snack time, referencing God’s work in nature, and using Bible verses connected to virtues. We would also be happy to pray with you as well!
At the end of each session, kids will have a chance to reflect and share their experiences. See below for a more detailed peek into group!
- Participation is open to children ages 2-18 years old.
- Group size is 3-10 participants per group.
- Groups are formed around interests and ability levels so that participants will be able to connect and grow with similarly-matched peers.
- Each group is 55 minutes in length, once a week.
- Peer mentors can sign up for a single session for $25 or for all sessions at a discounted rate of $15 per session.
- A 10% discount is available for siblings.
What to Expect Each Week
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Group members arrive 10 minutes before our start time to get ready for the session.
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Session starts with a warm up activity to get the children’s bodies and minds focused and ready, then a review of our group rules and plan for the day, and a circle time question to get to know each other a little better each week.
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Session transitions outdoors for main session activities which could include time with the animals (such as feeding and grooming the animals), and time in nature (such as a scavenger hunt on the forest trail and nature-based crafts). Although we have planned activities for each week of the program, we try to stay flexible to accommodate group interests and the weather.
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Session concludes with snack/sharing time. This will be outdoors or indoors, depending on the weather. We will provide a snack and water bottle for your child. During this time, we will encourage the children to think about the activities and share anything they noticed in nature or with the animals, or share favorite parts and challenges. Staff will also share strengths they noticed with the children: if a child tried something new, helped another child out, followed the group plan, etc.
What Parents Are Saying:
"The group exceeded my expectations! My child loves farm group and the fun activities that you have planned out. My child and I both love how much thought and effort you have all put into the stories and activities that you do for the day."
"My child was very positively impacted. He was able to fuel his love for animals as well as learn the value of the work that goes into caring for those animals."
"Keep doing what you are doing. I think this is so beneficial for children."
"He loves making new friends through the group. And, no matter how bad his day was, after the group was over he was in the best mood."
Farm Group Upcoming Session Dates
June Sessions: Peer mentors: $60 4 sessions total or $20 for single sessions.
Thursdays 3-4 pm (6/1 to 6/22)
Tuesdays 10-11 am (6/6 to 6/27)
July Sessions: Peer mentors: $60 4 sessions total or $20 for single sessions.
Thursdays 10-11 am (7/6 to 7/27)
Thursdays 3-4 pm (7/6 to 7/27)
Tuesdays 10-11 am (7/11 to 7/25)
Summer Camps: 4 days, 2 hours each day
Theatre camp: May 31-June 3, 10am-12pm daily. Peer mentors: $120.
Farm camp: July 18-21, 10am-12pm daily. Peer mentors: $120.
