Testimonials

“It was great! They were able to be kids (laugh, yell, run) while learning a lot about plants…All students and adult chaperones were highly engaged by the Oxbow farmers’ well planned and taught lessons that were hands-on and experiential. The farmers have a clear teaching plan in place, but are also able to “flex” and adapt to the needs of the students and the group, which is much appreciated! We had a great time exploring and eating our way through our learning and will definitely be back with another group of eager students next year!” 

2018, Seattle 1st grade teacher

“BEST field trip for kindergarteners! They were engaged, happy, busy and learned a lot! Everything was kid-friendly, well organized and the Oxbow curriculum was just the right amount of time, activity and education.”

2018, Snohomish Kindergarten teacher

“We love Oxbow! Yummy real food, freedom for the kids to explore with boundaries, and great education.” 

2016, Homeschool group

“The Eagle Clan Class is studying food and sources of food. The Oxbow Farm fits into the study of local sources of food and teaching the students one of many ways to obtain good food and nutrition as well as community gardening and efforts to sustain our local lands.” 

2016, Pathfinder K-8 School

“Oxbow engaged the kids and taught them the importance of taking care of our environment and everything around us. One of my favorite moments was watching the students realize that wherever they stepped they had to be careful because nature was all around us and it was our job to keep it safe so things can grow and thrive…It’s just plain fun. It’s a unique experience that has the kids learning and tasting delicious food that they wouldn’t ever try.”

2018, Northshore K-12 Teacher

“Return visitors. We come to the farm because it is important for me to connect my child to the source of his food (in this case, fruits and vegetables). I like coming to the farm in all seasons as a way to connect to the land and the natural cycles of life. I have always found the farmer guides to be knowledgeable, friendly, and good with kids. I appreciate that the focus is  educational, rather than farm as amusement park…” 

2016, Seattle Homeschoolers

We love coming to Oxbow Farm! Students enjoy the hands on science learning in ways that we cannot access in the classroom, and it meets the learning styles and needs or a wide variety of learners. We will be back for more fun and learning on the farm in the fall!

2018, Seattle 1st-grade teacher

“Very knowledgeable staff who clearly LOVE working with kids! You covered many of the NGSS for first grade. Specifically, your lessons seemed to cover the Disciplinary Core Ideas of NGSS (3 out of 5 of them!!).”

 2017, teacher

“Fits into our gardening/health month of summer camp, and our general healthy kids theme and outdoor ed. Keep up the great work — a lot of our kids are city kids and don’t get a lot of exposure to foods growing. Thanks so much!! We loved every second and are super grateful to our farmer hosts! We’ll be back next summer!”

2016, Kids Go @ TOPS

“A kid-friendly place to take a field trip educational, and experimental. Teaches them how the world actually work (pollination) and the beauty of fresh fruits and veggies.”

2016, Kids Club

“Our theme for the week was farm week. We have also been here before and all kids/staff have really enjoyed them. It was great for the kids to learn to appreciate where their food comes from.” 

2016, Leser Childcare

“I thank you for tailoring our program for the older kids and using “big words”” 

2016, Newport Children’s School

“Our summer school is studying plants, everything fit in great! Love the ‘hands on’ for students.” 

2016, Penney Creek Elementary

“We came last year and loved the experience. Our camp has a strong focus on nature appreciation and natural sciences and the Oxbow experience fit perfectly.” 

2016, Si View (Camp RAD)

“Our camp theme involved “hands in dirt.” This program fit perfectly and added to our overall camp experience.” 

2016, The Evergreen School

“Can’t say enough about Oxbow. You have to love a place where your non vegetable-eating son comes home and explains how much he loves eating plants and that they taste so much better!” 

2016 summer camp parent, Sonja

 “This place is fantastic. Year round, they have very healthy feel-good things to see/do/buy but it’s humming in summer. Plus they structure their summer camp experience (good mix of fun, education, hands-on farming, and mud!) so well, my kids had an unforgettable experience.” 

2016 summer camp parent

“The farm itself is made just right for kids. You’ve planned it out with their interests, needs and desires built right in. I can also see the love the farmers have for these kids.”

2017 Summer Camp Parent

“Thank you so much for an amazing camp experience! So much fun in the dirt and the mud and true passion shared by the counselors for the land and the veggies!”

2017 Summer Camp Parent

“My son loves going to Oxbow ‘s summer camp. He is so addicted to it that we have to book at least two weeks of summer camp!” 

2017 Summer Camp Parent

“The summer camp experience at Oxbow is nothing short of amazing. Our whole family feels such a connection to this wonderful, local farm—all I need to say to get the kids to try a new dish is ‘the ingredients are from Oxbow’ and they’re in! All the staff are so warm and welcoming, and make sure the kids have a really positive farm experience.” 

2016 summer camp parent and former CSA site host, Vicki

“Thank you for including Owen AND Grandma in your summer camp program! Owen still mentions and even made a “farm camp” with his legos – including carrots, raspberries, hay ride and the Honey Bucket! Owen loves outside. It has been very difficult to find a program that would include him with his special needs. Thank YOU for including him!!” 

2016 parent of a summer camper

“The staff was exceptional — they clearly have much experience with children, and it shows. The minute we walked up to the check in desk, everything was organized, and thoroughly prepared. The farmers were so great with the kids, welcomed him to the group each morning and engaged him right away in the activities for the day. We especially loved the presentations by each group leader during the family farmer’s market, and of course, chicken dancing for our produce!” 

2016 summer camp parent, Christina

“[My son] told me that he had gained confidence being outdoors and that he wasn’t afraid of bees or other insects. I think he really enjoyed picking veggies and even said that he had been eating so many more veggies this week because of his engagement at the camp. Thank you for making him so at home outdoors, for getting him dirty with soil, and fun work! Kids, including mine, need so much more time outside, so much more connection to nature and to natural food! I feel that Oxbow did a wonderful job of giving my kid (who was older than many of the others there) so much of what he needed, to be outside and enjoy himself! I would like to add that the farmers and volunteers were so nice and welcoming. I really appreciated seeing you each morning and afternoon, and I felt totally comfortable in the fact that my son would have a great time.” 

2016 summer camp parent

“My 3 kids really enjoyed their time at camp. They learned a lot and I did as well. They really grew as people in their appreciation for food and the earth. One of my girls had a new strange fear of bugs every time we hiked after moving here. However not once did she mention it during camp and she commented how proud she was of herself on the last day of camp. I believe this will be an experience they will remember forever. Thank you!” 

2016 summer camp parent

“I like eating onions because it makes my mind blow.” 2018 summer camper

“Dirt tastes good!” 2018 summer camper

Farmer David: “Why are kids always so happy and smiling?”
2018 Summer Camper: “It’s ’cause we’re having so much fun!”

“I thought the program was great. Well organized and hands-on. Far superior to the program I attended at another farm.” 2016, parent

“Our school philosophy is “nurture the whole child” so this fits perfectly!” 2016, Eton School

“Oxbow does a great job of engaging the kids in multi-sensory activities. We loved that the kids could try all 6 parts a plant.” 

2016, Glory Days School

“Oxbow is our favorite! Trying all the different seeds, roots, leaves, flowers, stems was so fun! The farmers were engaging and knowledgeable.” 

2016, Lakewood Co-op

“Perfect way to get kids in touch with our land and connecting what’s on the table at home with how it came to be!”

2016, Lakewood Co-op

“As a play-based preschool, the kids loved all of the free exploration.” 

2016, Pine Lake Co-op

“I loved the songs and movement! This program was also just the right length of time. Thank you!” 

2016 , The Bush School

“Oxbow was amazing, as usual. I’ve brought my kids on field trips and summer camps for years, and we’re never disappointed. Watching the kids try new foods straight from the plant/out of the ground is such a wonderful experience.” 

2016, Wellington Elementary

“We’re doing a project week called “Follow that Food,” learning about local food and how that affects culture. Oxbow was a perfect local fit! It was beautiful and we loved how much the farmers knew…the instructors made it very Socratic, allowing students to discover the answers!” 

2016, Overlake School

“Oxbow is a wonderful education center that PacSci is proud to work with.” 

2016, Pacific Science Center

“We chose to visit because it perfectly represents the theme of our “Farm to Table” camp. It was important to show a thriving, beautiful, and sustainable farm to the kids. Thanks!” 

2016, Pacific Science Center

“We are running a cooking camp and our theme this week was “Farm to table.” You guys are doing a fantastic job!” 

2016, SJCC Summer Camp

“We came to Oxbow because we have a food-themed week of camp with a service project. Loved the games mixed with education.”

2016, Coal Creek YMCA