March 28, 2025
It’s that time of year again! As the weather warms up (hopefully!), kids of all ages are eager to get outside and explore. Why not invite them to your sugarhouse for a fun, educational field trip? Maple sugaring provides hands-on lessons in science, math, and history, making it an enriching experience for students of all ages!
Key Considerations:
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Safety: Hot sap, syrup, equipment, and steam can cause serious burns. Make sure all visitors, including chaperones, are aware of safety precautions.
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Allergies: If offering samples or snacks, check with teachers in advance about any dietary restrictions.
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Facilities: Do you have a designated area for lunch? Are bathrooms and wash stations available?
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Supervision: Request enough chaperones to ensure proper supervision. For example: one sugarmaker can manage a class of twenty students if they are divided up into four groups of five, each with an adult.
Educational Topics:
Science: Reverse osmosis, seasonal sap flow, photosynthesis, density, and vacuum systems.
Math: Sap-to-syrup ratios, sugar percentage in sap, and hydrometer usage.
History: Native American discovery of maple syrup, colonial-era maple sugaring, and the evolution of sugaring technology.
Fun Activities:
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Wagon rides
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Counting tap holes in trees
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Maple tree identification
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Grading maple syrup
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Hydrometer demonstrations
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Hiking through the sugarbush
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Live tapping demonstrations
Pro Tips:
- Charge for your expertise and time: A minimum of $125 for a two-hour tour is a reasonable fee.
- Tailor activities to the age group.
- Offer samples. Fresh, warm syrup, sap straight from the tree, or sugar on snow (pro tip: store a box of snow in your freezer for off season treats!).
- Keep the field trip under two hours to maintain engagement.
- Set up learning stations with briefed adult supervisors to facilitate hands on experiences.
- Stay in communication with teachers to ensure a smooth visit.
- Require appropriate attire: Visitors should wear mud boots and warm clothing.
- Market your field trips to local schools, daycares, preschools, homeschool groups, and even colleges.
- Have a clear cancellation policy- April weather can be unpredictable!
- Have fun!
Thank you for reading the Marketing & Agritourism Blog! I’m your host, Selina Rooney, Marketing & Agritourism Specialist at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. I am a farmer in Morristown, VT and have been expanding and experimenting with agritourism activities on our farm. Stay tuned every month for tips on marketing and incorporating agritourism practices on your farm and be sure to sign up for the Vermont Ag Bulletin so you never miss a post!
