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 in front of Carey Cottage 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.
Hermit crabs abound in the creek in the warm months, and are the kids' favorite.
Can you see the crab among the rocks?
Children learn to identify different species of crab.
All the living creatures we find are left where they were found.
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.
A hermit crab in a periwinkle shell takes refuge in a clam shell.
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 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.
"Goose Island" is accessible at low tide.
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.
Following Miss Carol as she points out autumn developments.
The waterfront "outdoor classroom" is located at the forest's edge.
Creative boat building
Mushroom observations
Important experiments on the boulders.
A long stop to play in a sun spot along the trail.
Creek Farm is an ideal place to spend the day with friends.
A hairy cedar tree trunk marks the way to the best tide pools.
One fabulous group of homeschoolers on Goose Island at Creek Farm.
The Forest Society's Education Center at Creek Farm (our classroom).
The classroom area has a tv, 2 side yards and 2 restrooms. (Student-size furniture, cubbies and a rug area will be in place for September 2025.)
Creating a bar graph of shell types
Autumn leaves provide endless art and science opportunities.
Learning through art: October chlorophyll breakdown in a maple leaf.
A child organizes his math work in a neat journal entry.
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.
The lawns surrounding Carey Cottage become fun snowfields in winter.
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.