1. Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Center Welcome to
Welcome to Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Center in Accokeek, Maryland.
Welcome to
Hard Bargain Farm
Environmental Center *

3. Hard Bargain Farm is about ten miles south of Washington, DC on the shore of the Potomac River.*

4. Alice and Henry Ferguson settled here in the 1920’s
Alice and Henry Ferguson settled here in the 1920’s. The farm was their weekend and summertime retreat. They stayed in the cabin while they had their farmhouse built. You will get to see both places!
Alice and Henry Ferguson settled here in the 1920’s. The farm was their weekend and summertime retreat. They lived in the cabin while they had their farmhouse built. You will get to see both places! *

5. Today school children visit to learn about the Chesapeake Bay watershed by exploring a small part of it – the Accokeek Creek watershed.
Today school children visit to learn about the Chesapeake Bay watershed by exploring a small part of it – the Accokeek Creek watershed *

6. They also learn about life on a farm and help with some farm chores.
Working in the garden
Cow milking
Gathering eggs *

7. Visit our interactive website before your trip.
Click on “Kids’ Zone”.
Even before you visit Hard Bargain Farm you can learn more about it and the activities we do by visiting our website *

8. Preparing for your trip*

9. Can you pack a Trash-Free lunch?
Everyone needs to bring a bag lunch for the first day. All other meals will be provided.
Can you pack a Trash-Free lunch?
Everyone needs to bring a bag lunch for the first day. All other meals will be provided. Can you pack a Trash-Free lunch? Think about reusable or recyclable containers instead of things with wrappers that must be thrown away. Our Website has an activity that will help you.
Think about reusable or recyclable containers instead of things with wrappers that must be thrown away. Our Website has an activity that will help you. *

10. Bring outdoor clothes!
We will be outside most of the time and may get very dirty. We always have fun though!
We will be outside most of the time and may get very dirty. We always have fun though!
You will need three changes of clothes and an extra pair of shoes.
You will need three changes of clothes and an extra pair of shoes. Bring slippers for nighttime. *

11. Cold Weather
Listen to the weather report before you come. In cold weather, you will need a warm coat, hat and gloves or mittens.
Listen to the weather report before you come. In cold weather you will need a warm coat, hat and gloves or mittens. *

12. No shorts, skirts or flip-flops for hiking!
Hot Weather
In warmer weather, you still need long pants and sneakers to protect your legs and feet during our outdoor walks.
In warmer weather you still need long pants and sneakers to protect your legs and feet during our outdoor walks. No shorts, skirts or flip-flops for hiking!
No shorts, skirts or flip-flops for hiking! *

13. Rainy Days
We love rain on the farm! If the weather report predicts rain, bring a raincoat because we will still go hiking.
We love rain on the farm! If the weather report predicts rain bring a raincoat because we will still go hiking. *

14. Also, bring a pillow and a sleeping bag or bedroll.
Pack your toothbrush and toothpaste, towel, washcloth, soap, and hairbrush.
Also, bring a pillow and a sleeping bag or bedroll.
Pack your toothbrush and toothpaste, towel, washcloth, soap and hairbrush. Also bring a sleeping bag or bedroll. *

15. Are there things that I can’t bring to HBF?
Yes! Do not bring any electronic devices.
Game Boys MP3 Players Radios Ipods Tape players Video Cameras Laser pointers Pocket knives/tools Anything else that your teachers have told you not to bring to school. to school

16. Arriving at the Farm.
Arriving at the Farm *

17. When you arrive, you will unload your gear from the bus…*

18. And claim a bunk in the sleeping quarters of the Lodge
And claim a bunk in the sleeping quarters of the Lodge. Put something soft on your bunk and then wait for instructions. You don’t need to make your bed yet!
And claim a bunk in the sleeping quarters of the Lodge. Put something soft on your bunk and then wait for instructions. You don’t need to make your bed yet! *

19. You do! Guess who cleans up your messes during your trip?
Housecleaning
Guess who cleans up your messes during your trip?
You do!
Kids do all the cleaning here, so plan on leaving your muddy shoes outside the bunkroom when you return from a hike.
Guess who cleans up your messes during your trip? You do! Kids do all the cleaning here, so plan on leaving your muddy shoes outside the bunkroom when you return from a hike and prepare for sweeping and mopping before you leave. *

20. Don’t forget the bathrooms and the kitchen
Don’t forget the bathrooms and the kitchen. We are looking for a clean sweep!

21. What will you be doing?
What will you be doing? *

22. Hard Bargain Farm is a 330-acre working farm that we will help you to explore. We have many kinds of animals, some of the ones you will probably see are…
Hard Bargain Farm is a 300-acre working farm with many kinds of animals. Some of the ones you will probably see are… *

23. COWS!
Cows! *

24. PIGS!
Pigs! *

25. GOATS!
Goats! *

26. SHEEP!
Sheep! *

27. And CHICKENS!
And chickens! *

28. And you may get to see some of our crops, such as hay.*

29. You will also meet our dairy cows and even have a chance to milk them.
You will also meet our dairy cow and even have a chance to milk her. *

30. You will learn about corn and other crops and how they are used to feed people and animals.*

31. You will also get to visit the barn where the hay is kept and see some more animals in the barnyard!
You will also get to visit the barn where the hay is kept. Maybe we’ll see some hungry animals in the barnyard! *

32. And, you will get to visit the chicken coop and learn some interesting things about chickens.*

33. Keep your eyes open for cool plants and animals!
You will also get to explore the different habitats around the farm by going for a hike.
You will also get to explore the different habitats around the farm by going for a hike. Keep your eyes open for cool plants and animals!
Keep your eyes open for cool plants and animals! *

34. Winter is a great time to see our nation’s symbol, the bald eagle
Winter is a great time to see our nation’s symbol, the bald eagle. They don’t get the white head and tail until they are five years old!
In early Spring, you might see osprey building nests, fighting or fishing. They have just returned from South America, where they spent the winter!
Winter is a great time to see our nation’s symbol, the Bald Eagle. They don’t get the white head and tail until they are five years old!
In early Spring you might see Osprey building nests, fighting or fishing. They have just returned from South America where they spent the winter! *

35. or perhaps some painted turtles sunning themselves.
When we reach the boardwalk along the river, we might get to see a great blue heron fishing…
When we reach the boardwalk along the river we might get to see a Great Blue Heron fishing…
or perhaps some Painted turtles sunning themselves.
or perhaps some painted turtles sunning themselves. *

36. We will also see how people impact the river and the shoreline with their daily activities.*

37. We will learn about different kinds of cycles in nature, like producers, consumers and decomposers…*

38. And some interesting things about the water cycle, like where does the rainwater go and how does that affect the land around us.
And some interesting things about the water cycle, like where does the rainwater go and how does that affect the land around us. *

39. Keep your eyes peeled for deer and eagles!
Before dinner, we’ll all take a hay wagon ride together! We’ll go through the farm fields and down to the river.
Before dinner we’ll all take a hay wagon ride together! We’ll go through the farm fields and down to the river.
You never know who we might meet on our ride!
Keep your eyes peeled for deer and eagles! *

40. After breakfast, pack up your things and leave them outside.

41. Head to the barnyard. Our dairy cows are waiting to be milked
Head to the barnyard. Our dairy cows are waiting to be milked! Be sure to share a little with the cat!
Our dairy cow! She will be waiting for you to come and milk her. Be sure to share a little with the cats!
And our hungry pigs will be expecting their breakfast so don’t keep them waiting!
And our hungry pigs will be expecting their breakfast, so don’t keep them waiting! *

42. What would your job have been on the farm 100 years ago?
Next, we’ll visit the Tool Museum to learn about old-fashioned farm tools and farm life.
What would your job have been on the farm 100 years ago?
Next we’ll visit the Tool Museum to learn about old-fashioned farm tools and farm life.
What would your job have been on the farm 100 years ago? *

43. You will also get to visit our problem solving course in the woods.
It takes good teamwork to solve the problems. Are you a good team member?
You will also get to visit our confidence course in the woods.
It takes good teamwork to solve the problems. Are you a good team member? *

44. Are YOU making the river messy? We’ll see!
Before lunch, you’ll participate in an activity called “Who Polluted the Potomac?”.
Before lunch you’ll participate in an activity called “Who Polluted the Potomac?”.
Are YOU making the river messy? We’ll see!
Are YOU making the river messy? We’ll see! *

45. After lunch, you will load all your stuff back onto the bus and head back to school.*

46. We hope you will always remember your visit to Hard Bargain Farm and how much fun it can be to learn about nature and to be outdoors!
We hope you will always remember your visit to Hard Bargain Farm and how much fun it can be to learn about nature and to be outdoors! *

47. THE END
THE END *