It's because we offer a fun and educational experience for children and teachers that we have over 7,500 children visit us for field trips each year. We've greatly enhanced and expanded our tours for 2009 and now have five options to choose from!
Daycare and Preschool Groups
For daycare and preschool groups, our tour focuses on physical activity and experiences for active little bodies.
Tour #1:
- Jumping Pillow
- Hay maze
- Three Little Pigs houses
- Corn pool
- Apple tasting
- Farm animals
Cost of Tour #1 is $4.00 per child/student/teacher/parent with 1 teacher per group free.
Length of tour: 1 hour 15 minutes
Tour #2:
- All activities in Tour #1 plus a hayride.
Cost of Tour #2 is $5.00 per child/student/teacher/parent with 1 teacher per group free.
Length of tour: 1 hour 15 minutes
Kindergarten and First Grade Groups
We have two different tours and a combination of both geared toward Kindergarten and First Graders--Apple Tour and Farm Tour. Education is the goal of each one, while we learn about Iowa agriculture, crops and our orchard. Students will be introduced to new vocabulary and use all 5 senses. Some learning points include the five senses, observing weather conditions, differentiating between living and non-living, and the scientific method.
Tour #3 Farm Tour:
The Farm Tour features typical crops and livestock found around us in Iowa.
- Hay ride around the farm
- "ABC's of Iowa Crops" (Alfalfa, Beans (soybeans), Corn) - tunnel through a field of each, measure growth and learn uses of each
- Learn about milk cows with "Molly Moo" and have the chance to "milk" her
- Visit our Learning Barn stations to discover Iowa farm products through hands-on learning and activities
- Farm animals
Cost of Tour #3 is $4.00 per child/student/teacher/parent with 1 teacher per group free.
Length of tour: 1 hour 15 minutes
Tour #4 Apple Tour:
The Apple Tour explores the entire process of apple production and processing.
- Hay ride to the orchard to pick apples to take home
- In our outdoor classroom, learn how we care for the apples and trees, and the tools used
- Learn about the life cycle of an apple tree
- How bees are important to our orchard
- Watch how our apples are sorted and bagged in the apple grader room
- Visit the Country Store to see where our apples and other products are sold
- Time with farm animals at the end of your tour
Cost of Tour #4 is $4.00 per child/student/teacher/parent with 1 teacher per group free.
Length of tour: 1 hour 15 minutes
Tour #5 Apple & Farm Tours Combined:
All activities of both the Apple Tour and the Farm Tour (with just one hay ride).
Cost of Tour #5 is $5.00 per child/student/teacher/parent with 1 teacher per group free.
Length of tour: 2 hours 15 minutes
General Information For All Tours:
Tours are available Monday through Friday at 9:30, 11:15 and 1:00.
Groups may arrive early or stay to enjoy the rest of the farm (as activities and attractions are available and not being used by other tour groups) but must be ready to begin their tour at their scheduled time.
We have picnic tables if you wish to bring sack lunches, and a large lawn to play on after lunch.
Rainy day tours are just as fun when we enjoy indoor learning activities. Tours are held rain or shine.
There is a 15-person minimum for tours. (Smaller groups are welcome to come out on their own and pay regular admission.)
We accept cash, check, MasterCard, Visa and Discover. We also accept purchase orders for tour groups.
It is very helpful if you have ready the following information when you make your reservation request (hold on, next we'll tell you below how to make a request):
- date and time (9:30, 11:15, or 1:00) you prefer, as well as alternates in case your first choice is not available
- which tour you'd like (use the number of the tour for ease)
- how many children are coming
- how many adults will be with them
- age of the children
- any children with special needs?
- phone numbers at which to reach you in both daytime and evening
You can schedule your tour by phone or by email. Once into September, phone is the best option. By phone, call Pat at 515-250-3190. (This number is for weekday tour reservations only.) You may also email the above information to schooltours@centergroveorchard.com. (Be sure to include your phone numbers.)
Once you've made your reservation, we'll send you an email (or old-fashioned letter if you do not have email) to confirm your reservation and give you all the details you'll need for that day. If you have questions about the confirmation message or do not receive it, please email us at schooltours@centergroveorchard.com.
Supporting Iowa Agriculture
Teachers: The Iowa Farm Bureau provides educational resources, programs, and funding opportunities to support those who teach children about agriculture. Get more information here or by calling 515-225-5425.
