Seasonal Programs

Stacey Antine, MS, RD and founder of HealthBarn USA was honored on The Rachael Ray Show in March 2008 as part of Ray's Incredible People & Healthy Eating series sponsored by The American Egg Board, click here  to watch HealthBarn USA kids and team in action!  Antine joins an all-star team of people recognized for their important contribution to helping communities lead healthier lives at the grass roots level.      

We offer a variety of hands-on, fun and educational seasonal programs year-round on the farm or in schools for children, ages 3-15, families and grown-ups (too!), including:

• Young Harvesters, ages 8-15 and parent workshops
• Sprouts, ages 5-7, and parent workshops
• Seedlings, ages 3-5
• Summer Camp, ages 5-12
• Healthy-Lifestyle Continuing Ed for Grown-Ups
• School & Scout Field Trips and Workshops
• School Assemblies & Workshops (in school only!)

Not a HealthBarn USA family, yet?  What are you waiting for.... enroll today for our Winter 2009 Programs that begin the week of January 12, 2009 and Summer Camp held weekly that begins the week of June 29, 2009.  Please scroll down to find out why The New York Times recently featured these exciting programs for you and your family!

NOW ENROLLING WINTER 2009 PROGRAMS!  EARLY BIRD SPECIALS!
  

YOUNG HARVESTERS, ages 8-15:
This dynamic, hands-on experience is a one-of-kind opportunity for children to work on a farm and learn about nutrition through fresh seasonal food.  The program delivers the consensus of scientific evidence related to food and nutrition, physical activity and self esteem development through an authentic farm adventure in which children (and parents) gain the knowledge and skills essential for living a healthy-lifestyle.  See us in action by watching these media segments:   

•  FOX-TV Good Day, New York: HealthBarn USA had an early morning wake-up on May 30 when Vanessa Alfano and crew interviewed the children LIVE! from the farm.  Click here to view all of the action in the broccoli and strawberry patch! 
• CNN, House Calls with Dr. Sanjay Gupta:  HealthBarn USA was featured in the FIT Nation segment, click here  to watch the HealthBarn USA team, Young Harvesters and their parents in action!  The segment also appeared on CNN National Headline News throughout the weekend of October 21.
• National TV Coverage:  The Medstar TV segment about HealthBarn USA featured two of our Young Harvesters and appeared in over 25 television networks across the country!  Click here  to watch the WFLA-TV (NBC) Tampa/St. Petersburg video clip.   

The fall, winter, spring Young Harvesters program follows an afterschool schedule (and includes Saturday mornings).  The 12-week curriculum is offered in two parts:  Learning the basics (part I) and Putting knowledge into action (part II).  The weekly parent workshops are an important part of these seasons. 

Winter is Action-Packed at the Barn!  We are gearing up for the Winter program the begins January 12, 2009 and includes a high-energy fitness program, indoor sustainable planting, extensive cooking activities with new mouth-watering seasonal recipes, and our fun and educational healthy-lifestyle games and activities.  Click here  to download the enrollment form. 

The program continues to generate positive feedback from children and parents:  

• "HealthBarn USA is helping us too, not just my son, better understand about what we eat!  We like that the parent workshops cover different topics and include food demonstrations because it makes it fun, easy to understand and we can actually see and taste the alternatives," Jorge, super dad, Saddle River, NJ.
• althBarn USA, it's more fun than regular school I wish I could come everyday," Lauren, age 9
• "It takes a couple of seasons at HealthBarn USA to get used to eating natural foods most of time, now I don't even miss the other stuff!"  Nick, age 10.
• Click here to read why Chloe, age 14 thinks HealthBarn USA is the place to be!

THE SPROUTS PROGRAM, ages 5-7:

The Sprouts program aims to educate children ages 5-7 and their families about how to develop healthy behaviors and incorporate them as habits in their everyday lives.  The 10-week hands-on experience utilizes the child's five senses to creatively deliver the connection to overall health and well-being.  Parents also attend 3 one hour workshops during the 10-weeks for guidance in supporting their child's new routine.

One-of-kind, nationally recognized program that your child will:  

• Practice environmentally friendly farming while growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables.
• Learn simple, safe cooking techniques while preparing natural and nutritious recipes.
• Establish regular meals and exercise patterns.
• Develop self-esteem and confidence in making healthy choices.
• Practic good manner, oral hygience and food safety.
• Have a fun nutrition education experience.

For more information about the program, click here.  Please click here  to download the Winter 2009 enrollment form. 

THE SEEDLINGS PROGRAM, ages 3-5:
   
This nuturing hands-on experience is designed to introduce children at a young age to try a variety of seasonal foods by gardening and helping to prepare healthy recipes.  Children will meet new animal friends, too!  Parents receive weekly recipes to support family activities at home.

CBS-TV, New York, Family First with Cindy Hsu:  HealthBarn USA was featured in the Family First segment, click here  to watch the Seedlings, ages 3-5 and their parents in action!  Also, check out the Website article featuring an interview with the founder, Stacey Antine, MS, RD that includes healthy home tips and yummy recipes.

The 10-week program is offered weekday mornings and early afternoons during the fall, winter and spring seasons.  Winter 2009 in the barn!  We are enrolling for the Winter 2009 Seedlings program that includes trying, cooking and eating seasonal foods, indoor sustainable planting and nature activities, exercise and visits to the animals!  Please click here  to download the Winter 2009 enrollment form. 

SUMMER CAMP, ages 5-12:
 

Why sign-up for HealthBarn USA summer camp?  It's the ultimate farm-to-fork experience that is fun, action-packed, educational -- and because kids LOVE HealthBarn USA!  We are all about healthy-lifestyle, not just weight.  Our campers get in tip-top shape working in the garden, cooking and eating all-natural, nutritious recipes for snack and lunch everyday!

HealthBarn USA is the only summer farm camp in Bergen County, NJ.  Edible Jersey features the summer camp in Diggin' In... Summer Farm Camps Connect Kids with Food and a Whole Lot More," click here to read more about this one-of-kind fun and educational experience on a farm from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. which includes:

• Planting and harvesting local, sustainable produce
• Cooking healthy recipes and playing nutrition education games
• Creative arts and crafts and nature activities
• Sports activities and yoga
• Professional instruction for children (6 hours, 5 days)
• Nutritious all natural breakfast, snacks and lunches provided (we accommodate for allergies)
• All supplies and natural, organic food
• Participation in Suffern Farmers' Market selling their own produce  

Here's what our campers had to say about a fun-filled, summer experience of a lifetime: 

• "My mother loves it because she doesn't have to make lunch," Stephen, age 12
• "Jeffrey is enjoying your program so much!  All of your counselors are wonderful and you plan a nice variety of creative, fun and educational activities, Thanks!" Debbie, Mahwah, NJ 
• "It's the ONLY place you can plant, cook, eat and play," group consensus!
• "Learn that trying new foods is fun!" Hallie, age 9

Each week offers a variety of new activities and recipes!  Space is limited to 25 children per week, please click here  for the summer camp flyer for campers, ages 5-12; please click here for the summer enrollment form. 

HEALTHY-LIFESTYLE CONTINUING ED FOR GROWN-UPS:

Continuing Ed for Grown-Ups:  Tired of dieting, being stressed out and confused about healthy choices, and the same old recipes? Here's an exciting success story, "From the day I came to HealthBarn USA, I started a whole new way of life.  My friends now ask me advice on how to eat and what to feed their kids. I have lost 20 pounds and dropped 3 pant sizes. Now I'm healthy, in good shape and I've never felt better!  Thank you."

The Continuing Ed for Grown-Ups is here to help you get on the right track to healthy living! This fun and educational experience will get you super smart about healthy fats, whole grains, sugars, eating seasonally, serving sizes, making good choices while dining out, exercise, sleep and so much more. It includes cooking demonstrations, HealthBarn USA Recipe Book, program binder and informative handouts; and all natural and organic supplies. And, it's a great way to make new friends who share common values!  Take advantage of the early bird special and start off the New Year with healthy being your #1 priority, Click here for the enrollment form.  

SCHOOL & SCOUT FIELD TRIPS & WORKSHOPS:
  
In fun and educational year-round visits to the farm, children, ages 3-15, learn about the importance of fresh, seasonal produce and why eating naturally matters.  Their day involves gardening, partaking in making and tasting a delicious recipe, and learning to be a supermarket spy kid.  Children leave with a new-found appreciation for food -- and a healthy-lifestyle bag.

School Field Trips:  Integrate the healthy-lifestyle experience into science, math, social studies and food science curricula.  Click here for the school field trip flyer.   

Scouts & Other Organizations.  Present the healthy-lifestyle experience as a challenge for a bead, patch, pin or Try-It.  Or, with new knowledge and recipes, earn rewards at home. Click here for the scout field trip flyer. 

Teen Workshops:  We offer a continuing series of practical, cutting edge and in-depth workshops (for groups, minimum  of 4) on such topics as supermarket shopping, meal planning, weight and exercise, anti-aging, natural beauty and much more.  The workshops are 1 1/2 hours long -- include educational hand-outs, cooking demonstrations and tastings, new recipes, and a healthy-lifestyle take-home bag.  Click here to contact us for schedule and fees.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY:  Engage your student body in HealthBarn USA's one-of-kind, hands-on healthy-lifestyle experience that empowers children of all ages to try new foods, be active, participate in family meals and much more. It also fulfills the New Jersey Core Curriculum requirement that students learn about healthy lifestyle.  We are proud to collaborate with Whole Foods Market, Ridgewood, NJ and Cabot Creamery who are making the concept of trying new foods irresistible!  Click here for the Healthy-Lifestyle School Assembly flyer.

The HealthBarn USA assembly is wildly popular among children grades K through 8 as they get the ulitmate hands-on experience in eating healthy and being active!  The Herald News featured a recent HealthBarn USA assembly in Wayne, "Ready, Set Breakfast!  Teaching kids to start off right and carry on the rest of the day," Click here to read the complete article.Not in Bergen County?  HealthBarn USA hosted an assembly in Lafayette Hill, PA and is now in Passaic Country and Southern Jersey, please contact Jill Pettit at  201-891-2066  to book today!   

Solid to the Core!

 The HealthBarn USA experience! Don’t miss it…

The farm is just bursting with life in the springtime! There is so much to see and hear, and lots of work to be done. Children will learn to build a garden, prepare the soil for planting and nurture their very own area of the farm. Over the course of the season, they will watch seeds and seedlings turn into vibrant plants, herbs and flowers that they cared for. Once we harvest the vegetables, we will create delicious, simple meals and snacks, and feel how good fresh foods make us feel. Watch their eyes light up as they smell, taste, and truly experience locally grown, seasonal produce from their own garden.

In the summer, the farm is a plentiful, vibrant place to be. Plants are growing rapidly, and need lots of care, maintenance and nurturing. On our very own garden, we will learn all about bugs – did you know that some are good for gardens, and some are not so good? On exciting nature walks, we will learn to identify different types of plants and animals found all over the farm. And of course, we will have lots of fresh, seasonal produce that we will harvest ourselves and prepare healthful snacks and meals with. Just wait until you taste for yourself how much better this is than anything you can buy in the supermarket – and how much fun it is too!

Fall is the great, bountiful harvest season at the farm. All the remaining produce that we’ve grown needs to be picked and prepared so that we can use it in the winter months for tasty, natural snacks. We will even learn about fertilizing the soil in our garden to protect it for the long winter months. The farm is filled with pumpkins, apples, and other fall fruits and vegetables that we creatively turn into healthy snacks. How we love the natural foods that we grow, harvest and prepare for ourselves on the farm!

You might not believe it but there's lots do on a farm in the wintertime! Animals need extra special care; we must begin planning what to plant in the upcoming spring; and we get to enjoy the foods that we harvested and prepared in the fall and also grow in the greenhouse with the chill in the air. We will make energizing snacks and learn how to create a colorful plate even in the winter months. Learning to read and understand food labels will enable us to be in control of their own health and nutrition choices all year long – starting the New Year on an exciting, empowering note!

Click here to download our seasonal brochure.