SUMMER 2019
A facility of the St. Charles Park District

Featuring...

  • Dairy Barn & Milk House 
  • Sheep House & Pump House
  • Chicken Coop 
  • Summer Kitchen
  • Machine Shed
  • Historic Farm
    Demonstration Plots
  • 100 Acres of
    Agricultural Open Space
  • Picnic Pavilion &
    Interpretive Shelter
  • Farm Discovery Trails
  • Fruit Orchard
  • Farm House
    (not open to the public)
All buildings are open when staff is on site with the exception of the Farmhouse.
Grounds Open
Dawn to Dusk
Office Hours
M-Sa | 8am-3pm
Community Garden Plots
219 Annual / 45 Perennial
Annuals
120 plots
15'x30''
$25
Annuals
99 plots
30'x30'
$45
Perennials
24 plots
15'x30'
$25
Perennials
21 plots
30'x30'
$45
4 plot limit per gardener. 
For more information,  
call Cori at 630-513-4332 or 
Patsy & Dolly, lambs born
in late December 2018
Summertime Happenings
Down on the Farm
Summer is here again and it cannot come fast enough!! After a cold winter, us farmers and animals alike are welcoming the summer heat. We are so excited to introduce our visitors to the spring babies that have arrived this year, as well as several new and returning programs planned for the warmer months. We hope to see you all here this summer to join in on the farmyard fun.

We have had several new arrivals to the farm this spring and we cannot wait for all of you to visit them! Our lambs Patsy and Dolly were born in late December this year, which is relatively early for us. Although they are not so little anymore, you can still find them grazing the pasture with their mother, or their best friend Ruth. Ruth is our calf born in 2018 who resides in the sheep house, and the trio has struck up an adorably unlikely friendship. Our chicks have been returning by the dozens thanks to our wonderful District 303 schools incubating our Columbian Wyandot eggs. We currently have chicks ranging from less than one week to six weeks old! Come stop by the farm office and a farmer would be happy to take you inside for a look.

Finally, on May 19,
Our newest calf, Luna
we welcomed our calf of the season! Little Luna was born during the full moon cycle and has been relaxing with her mother in our dairy barn. Her mother Peach has been doing a wonderful job making sure her daughter is well fed and taken care of. Within the next few days she will be moved to the calf pen in the front entrance of the barn for visitors to come see!

Now that our cow Peach has given birth to her first calf, we will finally be hosting all of our drop-in programs for the rest of the season! Stop by for our Hands-on Milking and Chicken and Egg drop-ins each Wednesday and Saturday at 10am and 11am respectively. If you are looking for some after lunch activities, we will also be hosting Feed the Goats each Monday and Wednesday from 2-3pm, and our Feed the Animals and Hold Your Horses grooming drop-ins are on alternating Saturdays at 2pm. No matter when you plan your visit, there is always something fun planned at the farm in the summer time!

By popular demand, we will have many returning programs to the farm this season. Whether it's painting under the summer sunset at Primrose Palette, gaining hands on farmyard experience in Adopt-an-Animal, or immersing yourself in a storytelling experience through Storybooks Alive the farm has a place for you! Along with our returning programs, we are also welcoming some new and exciting activities to our calendar. Make sure to check out the St. Charles Park District activity guide and our online registration site for programs such as Goat Yoga, our very first overnight program Primrose Farm Campout, and our American Girl Outing!
 
We can't wait to see you this summer for a friendly visit, drop in program, special event or anything in between! The animals have missed you over the winter months and are looking forward to visiting with you very soon!


NEW! American Girl Outing
Ages 5-12

Sa     Jul 13  |   11am-1pm  (#19336)
RES $15/NR $23

Spend the day in the life of Blaire Wilson, 2019's American Girlâ„¢ Doll of the Year. Make some of her favorite recipes in the Summer Kitchen. Enjoy some snacks, too. Learn how to take care of livestock in modern day times. Prepare sack lunches to donate to Lazarus House.
 
Adopt-an-Animal  
Ages 11-17
Th     Jun 27-Aug 8  |  2-3pm
RES $50/NR $75  (#19328)

Integrate responsibility, education and human/animal bonding into a memorable and rewarding experience! Pick any farm resident of your choice, even the large ones, and raise them as your own. Learn about your animal's general health, proper feed rations, training tools and grooming techniques. Makes a great gift!

Click on code #s to register.
All Ages  |  10-11am  |  RES $10/NR $15 per program
Advanced registration required.

The Bad Seed
Saturday, August 3   |   #19330

What happens when a bad seed wants to change his ways? Find out at this
week's session of storybooks alive! Parents and children alike are welcome to join in on the excitement as we read an interactive story, do some good deeds for our farm animals and plant a seed of your own! After the activities please join us for a themed snack and refreshments.


Pete the Cat - A Pet for Pete
Saturday, August 31   |   #19331

Pete the Cat has a new pet! He loves to paint him pictures and play him his music. Join us this week as we read this interactive story and paint pictures of your favorite farm animal. After visiting the animals and showing them your
art, join us for fun themed snack and refreshments. You wont want to miss the
sweet treats and surprises in store!


Enjoy hands-on Farm fun 
on select days! 
On-site registrations accepted. All ages welcome. 
Ages 15 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Please arrive 10 minutes early to register on site.
 
Feed the Goats  
Every Monday & Wednesday
1pm
RES $1/NR $2 per person
Stop by the office for a feeding stick and some delicious goat treats! 
 
Feed the Chickens  
Every Tuesday & Thursday
10am
RES $1/NR $2 per person
Great for young children to get hands-on experience! Stop by the office for a feeding stick!
 
 
Hands-on Milking
Every Wednesday & Saturday
10am
RES $5/NR $8 per person
Discover what goes into dairying - the breeding, raising and milking of dairy animals. Then get up close and personal with one of the 'fresh' cows and try your hand at milking.
Chicken & Egg
Every Wednesday & Saturday
11am
RES $5/NR $8 per person
See, hear and touch the Columbian Wyandotte chickens that call Primrose home and help gather farm fresh eggs straight from the nest. All pickers take home a share of the eggs collected!   
 
Hold Your Horses
First & Third Saturdays
2pm
RES $5/NR $8 per person
Explore basic grooming techniques of our Belgian draft horses and learn about equine care practices of today and yesterday.
 
Feed the Animals
Second & Fourth Saturdays
2pm
RES $5/NR $8 per person
Get a unique - behind the scenes - opportunity to help feed the farm's animal residents. Learn about the care and feeding of livestock and how their specialized diets vary throughout the year. 


Down on the Farm Camp
Searching for a unique camp experience? This is it! Learn what it's like to live on a farm. Start your day with chores, crafts and old-fashioned games. Milk a cow, gather eggs from the chicken coop, and help feed the animals.

Farmers
Ages 5-7   |   TuTh   |   9am-12pm
RES $60/NR $90
Jun 18 & 20
Jun 25 & 27
Jul 9 & 11
Jul 16 & 18
Jul 23 & 25
Jul 30 & Aug 1
Aug 6 & 8
 

 
Ranchers
This camp will continue its afternoon adventure with a variety of on-site and off-site activities.

Ag es 8-12  |   M-F  |  8:30am-3:30pm
RES $200/NR $250 
Jun 17-21 
Jun 24-28
#18934 
Jul 8-12
Jul 15-19
July 22-26
Jul 29-Aug 2
Aug 5-9

*Camp counselors have experience working with children and are trained in CPR and First Aid.

Emergency Forms
After registering for camp, you will receive an eMail from ePACT, the District's secure emergency network, to create an account and complete medical & emergency contact information.


Let the Primrose Farm staff tailor a one-of-a-kind scouting program to learn about agricultural farming, animal care and husbandry, environmentalism and hands-on history to meet your specific badge needs! All scout troops are invited to work alongside the farmers and educators for a unique learning experience.

Caring for farm animals, milking cows, tending to the vegetable gardens, beekeeping, hiking trails, wagon rides and exploring historical sites are just some of the activities available.

Boy & Girl Scouts:
Custom Programs
Scout Badges & Projects
Eagle Scout Projects

These 1-hour programs are offered weekdays and Saturdays at your troops' convenience. Fee is $5 per scout. A tractor-drawn hayride can be added as an additional $2 per person. To schedule a program or for more details,
call 630-513-4370 or click here.

Celebrate your Birthday
with a Barnyard Bash
at Primrose Farm!
 
Dress up in your overalls, bandannas & boots for some fabulous and festive farm fun.

Weather permitting,parties are held either in the Summer Kitchen, under a picnic pavilion or at a picnic table in the farmyard.
 
For ages Ages 3-12
Available April to October
To reserve a date, call 630-513-4370.
For more info, click here.
Volunteer Opportunities

Do you need community service hours for school, scouts or church? Are you looking for an opportunity to get your hands dirty and give back to the community?

Primrose Farm is always in search of volunteers to help with livestock chores, gardening and farm clean up. Ages 15 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

For more information click here, or call 630-513-4370. 
Details in the Fall Activity Guide! 

Farm Frolic 
Sunday, September 22  |  11am-3pm
Moonlight Hayrides
Fridays & Saturdays, October 4-19
Start Times: 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm

Escape the Barn
Friday & Saturday, October 11-12
Start Times: 530pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm
 
All programs are held at Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles (unless otherwise noted).
630-513-4370  |  primrosefarmpark.com
RES=Resident / NR=Nonresident