Are you looking for a way for your child to do their remote learning schoolwork while being surrounded by nature and a distraction from extra screen time? There’s a new option for residents of Easley that will have the rest of the Upstate jealous! We sent KAG’s Melanie and her kids out to Enrichment Hills to explore this new option for students.
Are you looking for more resources for your homeschooled student? Kidding Around has a Guide To Homeschooling, full of helpful info.
To say that this year has been interesting would be an understatement. At the beginning of the year, no one could have foreseen all the different scenarios playing out this fall when it came to children getting an education. Many families have found themselves in the position of home-based learning this school year with all of the challenges that can come along with that. We recently learned about a non-profit looking to give kids a location to do their assigned school work and learn about the world around them in a safe environment.
About Enrichment Hills
Enrichment Hills is based at a farm that was recently purchased by an Upstate couple, to be a hands-on farm school. They saw a need in the community for children stuck at home staring at screens all day, and they decided to do something different. The farm will now provide a place for students from fourth to eighth grade to spend the day doing their schoolwork while learning about animals and nature. Students would do the lessons already assigned to them under the supervision of educators, and interact with the animals of Enrichment Hills.
We were treated to a tour by Lucas Newton, the Director at Enrichment Hills. He has been directing and working at outdoor education programs and camps since 2003 and has a Masters in Education. He loves getting students to apply critical thinking strategies around the farm and while exploring nature. The farm is owned by Brittany Arsiniega, a Furman professor and attorney, and her husband Michael Arsiniega, who works for Communities in Schools at Berea Middle School. All three are passionate about providing outdoor education for kids.
The animals are the stars of the show at Enrichment Hills, and there are several real characters! My kids and I each had a favorite! I could have spent all day sitting under a tree petting Arlito, the baby bull calf. I was a massive fan of the book Ferdinand as a child, and I wasn’t ready to leave little Arlito behind when we left. The farm also features two donkeys, Otis and Thelma (based on the children’s’ book Thelma the Unicorn), a rescue mare, Cinnamon, and a flock of adolescent chickens.
My son loved playing with the baby chickens, and my daughter fell in love with Little Debbie, the piglet, who loves to roll over for a belly rub! The animals at Enrichment Hills don’t just offer lessons in animal care and responsibility; they also provide companionship and a much-needed escape from the chaos of our currently up-turned lives. Being outdoors also provides a therapeutic outlet for children are spending more time in front of a screen than they are used to!
Visit Enrichment Hills
Parents currently have the following two options for enrollment, which can be booked online
Afterschool Care (grades 4-8) offered Monday through Friday, 2 pm – 6 pm
Rates starting at $18 a day
- Snacks and activities provided.
- Transportation from school or home is not included.
- Covid-19 precautions are taken to keep students safe.
- The animals get cared for rain or shine, so kids need to come prepared. There is a list of items to bring to make sure everyone is comfortable.
- A great option for parents trying to work from home and need just a few more hours after school to get things done.
Homeschool Day offered Wednesday & Friday, 9 am – 1 pm
$35 per day
- Open to the public, adults free with accompanying child.
- Covid-19 precautions are taken to keep students safe
- The animals get cared for rain or shine, so kids need to come prepared. There is a list of items to bring to make sure everyone is comfortable.
- An excellent option for pod groups – $280/day group rate (maximum 8 students)
Saturday drop-in (ages 5-14) offered from 2 pm – 6 pm
$40 per day
- Drop child any time after 2 pm; pick up any time before 6 pm
- Snacks and activities provided
- The animals get cared for rain or shine, so kids need to come prepared. There is a list of items to bring to make sure everyone is comfortable.
Birthday parties and other private events are also available upon request by emailing [email protected] or filling out an inquiry online.
If you are looking for a place for your child to socialize in a small group, get school work done, and get some fresh air, I can’t think of a better place to do it than Enrichment Hills.
Enrichment Hills
880 Old Dacusville Rd, Easley, SC 29640 | 828.896.6430