When you hear the “woof,” you might think about the sounds a barking dog makes. But WWOOF is an educational experience for adults and children who want to see what it’s like to live on an organic farm. With more than 400 kid-friendly hosts across the United States, children can learn about organic farming while having a good time playing in the dirt.
WWOOF — Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms — isn’t just a kids’ camp, it’s an adventure for families.
What is WWOOF?
WWOOF promotes ecological farming and sustainability by linking up “host farmers” with guest tenants for a mutual working and learning experience.
WWOOF programs work like this:
Host farmers offer a room (or outdoor accommodations), food, free time, experience, and camaraderie to guests who want to be close to nature, as they learn about organic farming and ecological sustainability.
Participants must agree to do a few hours of farm or rural living work every day – each host farmer has different requirements, living arrangements, and experiences. Participants — called WWOOFers — don’t get paid any money, but what they get is the experience of a lifetime. WWOOF farmers teach their “students” how to work the land in a practical, sustainable way by focusing on organic gardening and farming, ecological biodiversity, and preserving nature. WWOOFers pay for their own travel expenses and must also maintain a membership with WWOOF.
Kid-Friendly WWOOFing
Many WWOOF hosts welcome children to join their parents or guardians. Adults must enroll in the WWOOF program; kids under 18 years old don’t have to sign up, but they can come along. Adults are responsible for their children’s safety. One thing to note, children (and adults) must be covered by health insurance.
A farm may be a fun hangout but it is also very dangerous with tools, heavy equipment, and sometimes animals roving about the place. For those reasons, some WWOOF host farmers do not welcome kids. Check with your WWOOF host before making final arrangements for your children.
Gardening
WWOOFing creates memorable experiences for parents and children. One way they do this is with hands-on experiences. Children especially love when they get to play in the dirt. Gardening with kids allows parents to teach them how to track seeds (to remember which plant is where), choose the right kinds of plants to grow, and keep a growing journal.
What is no-till? Travel to Maine for an experience on a no-till, grow-to-donate farm. Teach your children how to farm sustainably and provide fruits and vegetables for those who need but cannot afford them.
Flowers and hay are in season at this Alaskan farm, where living “off the grid” is a priority. Peonies don’t just come from a flower shop; they have to grow somewhere. Picking and preserving berries is another fun thing to do with children.
Animals
Animals — horses, especially — are a draw for just about everyone.
In Missouri, the Equine Rescue hosts WWOOFers who can help with caring for horses. (Older kids are best suited for this).
If you like goats, there’s a family farm in Oregon that has them, and they need a lot of care. Cows and Hawaii -– what a perfect combination! If you’re thinking of moving to the Big Island or learning how to grow food in tropical climates, a farm on the Hamakua Coast is an option. Aside from caring for cows, ducks, chickens, and the like, you can show the kids how tropical fruits like tangerines, oranges, papayas, and lemons come from somewhere other than the grocery store.
Stay Health
Fresh air and the great outdoors are a wonderful combination, but they can be a hazard, too, especially if you or your kids have allergies. Make sure to bring any prescription or over-the-counter medicines needed. On that note, also bring along
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Sun hats
- Heavy clothing for cooler days and nights
- Rain poncho
- Boots with low to mid-sized heels.
- Boot or shoe covers/rubbers
- Non-slip shoes
- Refillable water bottles
- Preferred snacks
- And whatever else is suggested by your WWOOF host.
- Bring along a pair of binoculars, too!
Make great memories together – there’s nothing like a family bonding experience when children work and play with their parents. WWOOF hosts have a variety of experiences for families to work, play, and learn together. The future of sustainable living starts here.
Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.
