Erdkinder Overnight to Amstutz Farm
BY ELIZA NELSON, 11th Grade
The Amstutz Family Farm was created to educate people about farm work and to provide students and individuals of all ages with a holistic education. The farm hosts not only schools but also families and summer camps. Their mission is to build community and teach virtues to its visitors, which perfectly aligns with Montessori values.
Every semester in Erdkinder, we have a semester theme—which happens to be community this time. Most aspects of farm work revolve around community, as it’s almost impossible to do many farm chores alone. To get things done well and in a timely manner, one must learn to work with others.
I have spent quite a bit of time on farms during my sixteen years of life, but none of those experiences were quite like my time on the Amstutz Family Farm. For three days and two nights, the Erdkinder class and I slept in cabins at night and helped out with farm chores during the day. These chores included feeding the animals, filling their water, and cleaning their pens.
Of course, it wasn’t all work and no play—we had plenty of free time to explore the farm and play games. During mealtimes, we got to know each other over delicious food made with fresh ingredients.
This kind of farm work is perfect for a back-to-school bonding session. It requires communication and teamwork, which help strengthen and build bonds between students. After our time at the farm, I feel like the connections between us are even stronger. Most of us were already close friends, but I believe our shared experience has brought us even closer.
