Youth Programs at Wellspring

Now with OneFire… We’re excited for Wellspring and OneFire programs to join forces starting this Fall 2026. This means we can offer programming for a wider age range, and even more nature adventures, creative fun, and primitive skill development.

With the Dinosaur Woods, Dragon Tree, Enchanted Creek, fields, and gardens as our classroom, our youth programs follow a gentle daily rhythm, including core routines that evolve with the season and support the interconnected elements of farming, nature, and people, helping body, soul, and spirit connect. Programs are engaging, participatory experiences, designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Your kids can expect a full day of play, adventure, and learning outside, including activities like tending to plants, animals, and fungi, harvesting seasonal garden foods, movement and epic woodland games, music, crafts, stories, fire, shelter-building, fairy house building, carving, archery, water, mud, and more. 

Ages: Unless noted otherwise, programs are designed for kids ages 5 to 10, with mature/ready 4-year-olds welcome. 11 years+ are also welcome to join as a mentor-in-training (contact Liza or Wren directly). Kids should be potty-trained. We provide reminders and assistance for the younger kids.

Campers should be comfortable outdoors for extended periods, dress appropriately and in layers, and bring a backpack with a water bottle, a snack, lunch, and a change of clothes. Programs are small groups with 2-4 mentors.

Cost: Tiered pricing is based on household income and listed for specific programs. See our policies for more information.

Location: All programs listed below take place at Wellspring Forest Farm, 6164 Deer Run Lane, Trumansburg.

Monday, October 12

School Break Program

Full. Waitlist only

$65-75 per child

Friday, October 23

School Break Program

$65-75 per child

Wednesday, November 11

School Break Program

$65-75 per child

Friday, November 20

No School? Let's get outside for a full day of fun! School Break Programs are 9 am - 3 pm

Woodland adventure, cooking, carving, crafting, climbing, and so much cool stuff are on tap for our School Break Programs. Whether we are playing a game, exploring forest and field, sneaking and tracking, or blazing trails, our woodland basecamp and yurt will be our anchor. 

Please note: School break programs will be canceled 2 weeks before the date if there are fewer than 3 kids registered. Registered families will be notified.

School Break Program

$65-75 per child

Summer Programs

Stay tuned for our 2027 dates to be posted before January.

Summer programs are week-long sessions, each with a theme, and designed for kids to explore interconnected elements of farming, nature, and people.

Register Now

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Our Program Mentors

Wren Anjali

Wren runs the OneFire! program and is a nature-connection mentor, leader, wilderness guide, and medic,  devoted to supporting human-nature relationships. Wren offers adult and youth programs through One Fire Forest School with a focus on supporting positive and empowering experiences in nature. Wren has a knack for recognizing and acknowledging the unique gifts of others, and a passion for engaging people in community activities and outdoor fun.

Liza Gabriel

Liza has led adult and youth environmental education programs since before college. Her vision for engaging earth-based programming guides Wellspring’s youth programs. She manages Wellspring’s sheep, chickens, orchards, and gardens. She enjoys incorporating eating, wonder, curiosity, and gratitude into nature-based activities, and loves watching the kids lead the way with their excitement.

Allison Shorette

Allison is relatively new to the Ithaca area, and has been working alongside Wren with OneFire since 2025. She is passionate about primitive skills, farming, music, and outdoor exploration. She looks to strengthen community through youth mentoring, including nature connection and awareness in everyday routines.

Steve Gabriel

Steve has been a youth mentor since working with EarthArts over a decade ago. He runs Wellspring’s mushroom production and brings a love for the trees and the magic of the fungi to our programs, including all the gnomes and fairies of the woods, and inspires kids’ curiosity and joy.

Lead mentors are CPR-certified and have completed all NYS-required background screenings and health checks.