IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Send someone else to get it for you. This is a great chance for a friend or neighbor to find out what it’s like to be part of the Old Tavern Farm community. If they tell us they’re picking up for you, we’ll check off your name and help them out. You do not need to tell us in advance that someone else is picking up your share. Or you can let us donate your share. After the pick-up is through, we donate unclaimed shares to an agency that serves people in need.

We always have a staff member or volunteer available to re-fill bins and answer questions. Take advantage of us! We can identify the vegetables you don’t recognize and give you ideas for how to prepare them.

We encourage you to try everything in your share, but if there is something you just won’t use, don’t be afraid to leave it behind. Anything left will be donated to someone who needs it.

We love our and your furry friends! Well-mannered and leashed dogs are welcomed. Due to health and food safety regulation, animals are not allowed in the produce or fruit fields or the packing shed. Service animals are exempt from this policy.

Unfortunately, because of the size of the CSA, we cannot accommodate the switching of days week to week. If you are interested in switching your pick-up day for the remainder of the session, let us know and we’ll see if there is room. If you cannot pick-up your share on a given week, refer above to the “Can’t make it to pick- up your share? Here are your options”. We appreciate your understanding.

We highly encourage you to bring your own reusable bags to pick-up your produce. If you forget, we will have a limited number of plastic or reusable grocery bags available.

Yes! Work alongside our growers in the field seeding, tending and harvesting. We also have occasional needs for individuals who can do special computer projects remotely or have expertise in equipment or building maintenance. Contact: John Bryant, oldtavernfarmva@gmail.com

Yes! Come learn in a hands-on way how your food is grown, harvested and prepared for sale. Need a little farm fitness? The Work Share program allows individuals to volunteer time, knowledge and skills helping our farm sustain itself, grow, and prosper. In exchange for your time, you earn farm store credits which may be used to purchase vegetables. It’s a great way to contribute to our success, learn about growing food and feed yourself at the same time! Work Share opportunities are available in half, three-quarter, and full day blocks of time. Contact: John Bryant, oldtavernfarmva@gmail.com

There are field trip opportunities for both youth and adults from April through October. We enjoy hosting and sharing our knowledge of growing and developing food systems. We have curriculum to meet all levels as well as hands-on activities appropriate for all ages and abilities. One area of focus is learning about sustainable agriculture compared with modern commercial agricultural practices and exploring the truth, falsehoods, and myths about the industry. Our school curriculum lesson plans are SOL-compliant. Contact: John Bryant, oldtavernfarmva@gmail.com

Our camps are filled with hands-on learning activities, nature-based crafts, games, challenges, and exploration. Plants and animals are a major part of the learning experience, and campers have the benefit of a beautiful, historical farm, full of fascinating ecosystems and joy-filled playspace! We combine fun, learning, and a little dirt to create a magical experience!

Camp teachers are made up of permanent Old Tavern Farm education staff, seasonal staff, and volunteers. The OTF education director and team have several years of teaching experience. All adults have had background checks and each camp will have at least one adult that is CPR and First Aid certified. In addition, camps will have trained volunteers, typically from local high schools.

The maximum number of campers per session is 30. At least three staff members and one volunteer will lead each camp.

We try our best to keep our camps safe and healthy for all campers and staff. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Regulations, we ask that campers stay home if: Your camper has a fever over 100* (child can return to camp after being fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication) Is vomiting or has diarrhea Has symptoms of a communicable disease listed in the Virginia Department of Health’s Communicable Disease chart If any of these symptoms present themselves during camp hours, a guardian will be contacted immediately for pick up. If your camper is sick and unable to attend the session that day, please contact us as soon as possible and let us know. If available, we can switch your camper to an alternate session.

We encourage all campers to bring a water bottle (full). Backpacks are optional but handy for carrying water bottles on hikes. Sturdy, closed toed walking shoes and a wide brimmed hat are also advised. A snack break is provided mid-morning. If your child has any dietary needs or allergies, please let us know. You are also welcome to provide a snack for your child. Campers attending a full-day camp will need to bring their own lunch.

We ask that campers are picked up within 10 minutes of the camp end time. We are unable to provide after care at this time. If you will be late to pick up your camper, please let us know as soon as possible. Early pick-ups can be arranged with the lead instructor. We often are out on the grounds with campers during camp hours, so advance notice is needed. If it is an emergency, please contact Amanda at 804-467-2301. Parents or approved adults are required to sign students out with a picture ID.

We are not able to offer before or after camp care at this time. This means that we are not able to accommodate early drop offs or late pickups. Sign-in/drop-off is open AT the camps scheduled start time. Staff will be at the event shed your child in.

YES! Please alert staff when completing registration about your child’s allergies. We do not offer snacks containing nuts or peanut butter to err on the side of safety. If your child carries an Epi-pen or inhaler, make sure to inform the camp staff in your registration materials, and show the child’s medication action plan to staff on the first day. Only emergency medication may be left with the camp staff and ONLY with an action plan accompanying the medication.

We are an outdoor camp, so please dress your child for the weather! If there is a heat advisory in effect, time spent outdoors will be limited. When outdoors, we find shady areas for activities and encourage lots of water consumption. If there is heavy rain or lightning, we activate our “rain plan” and stay inside. In the case of drizzle or light rain, we may still go outside. Your child is encouraged to bring a raincoat on these days, not an umbrella.