3 Seasons programs take place at Creek Farm (bottom right), just a mile from dowtown Portsmouth.
The Creek Farm Reservation has 36 acres of reserved forest and 1200 feet of waterfront on Sagamore Creek.
A vintage sign marks the entrance to the property on Little Harbor Road.
The Creek Farm property is beautifully maintained by the NH Forest Society.
Historic "Carey Cottage" and The Forest Society's Education Center are the only buildings on the sprawling Creek Farm property.
At low tide, the tide pooling on the "front" sand bar is excellent.
From May to October, the shallow pools at low tide are teeming with the creatures of the intertidal zones
Children are able to safely learn and explore in a few inches of crystal clear water.
The excellent and educational tidepooling is a highlight of 3 Seasons programming.
Can you see the crab among the rocks? (Center)
Children learn to identify different species of crab.
All the living creatures we find are left where they were found - even these invasive Asian crabs.
Shore line exploration with new friends.
Mussels are abundant, and secure themselves to the rocks with strong "byssal" threads.
So much to discover!
We find moon snail shells the size of baseballs! Common periwinkles sit in the clam shell for comparison.
A living moon snail is always an exciting find.
As the hermit crabs grow, they move into larger shells. This one has found the perfect sized moon snail shell.
We never tire of seeing the beautiful patterns made by the sun on the shallow water!
Nature's classroom, on a perfect autumn day on the seacoast.
Children watch as a local lobsterman checks his traps in Sagamore Creek.
Looking for purple "wampum" stripes in the quahog clam shells.
Running wild on the "side" sand bar at low tide.
The boys experiment with dam building.
The giant manmade tidepool fills and empties twice a day.
The giant tide pool is a favorite snack and play spot.
The Forest Society maintains a 1.5 mile loop trail on the property.
The Little Harbor Loop trail runs along the water and through the woods.
The children learn to appreciate trees and identify the most common species.
The boys stop along the trail to observe a woolly bear caterpillar.
One of our favorite trees on the property. A mighty oak.
A loon surprised us with a visit to our tide pool in October.
The waterfront "outdoor classroom" is located at the forest's edge.
Creative boat building
Mushroom observations
A long stop to play in a sun spot along the trail.
Creek Farm programs are a great place to make new friends.
Three new friends on their first day together. The trail is beautifully wide.
The Forest Society's Education Center at Creek Farm (our classroom).
The classroom area has a big tv, 2 side yards and 2 restrooms. (Student-size furniture, cubbies and a rug area will be in place for September 2025.)
Plenty to do in the classroom on a rainy day: games, art, hands-on math and building materials.
Creating a bar graph of shell types
A child organizes his math findings in a neat journal entry.
Autumn leaves provide endless art and science opportunities.
Learning through art: October chlorophyll breakdown in a maple leaf.
Creating a sand castle to a specified set of measurements
Creek Farm is as idyllic a place as you'll find on the seacoast.
Two vintage lions keep a watchful eye on the front lawns at Carey Cottage.
Ice on the giant tide pool.
Our flexible schedule gets us outside in the best weather!
A gentle slope provides just enough of a thrill for young sledders.
Perfect snowman-making snow!
The outdoor classroom receives a winter visitor.
Meeting in the snow fort.
April: Blue Scilla were the first flowers to appear at Creek Farm.
On a rainy day, the children brighten Creek Farm with their colorful rain gear.
It's so fun to draw and paint daffodils!
Off to measure the early signs of spring!
The very beginnings of pine cones.
A weekly check-in on the growing pine cones.
Pine cones begin as tiny gowths on these Eastern White Pines.
So much spring growth in just a few weeks!
Measuring the carapace of a green crab.
Simple tide experiments at the giant tide pool.
Early spring tide pooling on the front sand bar.
Paper boats on Sagamore Creek.
April tide pooling for crabs, clams and moon snails.
Enjoying the Wentworth Coolidge Mansion property, next door to Creek Farm.
Visiting with a plein air artist at Wentworth Coolidge Mansion.
The hermit crabs returned to the creek in early May. So many!
Studying the beautiful granite rocks on the New Hampshire shore.
Enjoying the "side" sandbar before the tide covers it.
The tide slowly creeps in over the sand bar, to the great fascination of the kids!
Crossing the "bridge" as the last bit of sand bar slowly disappears. A favorite activity.
The "sand kitchen" outside the classroom encourages hours of creativity and cooperation.