PROGRAMS
Family Barnyard Visits
These visits are geared to provide families with an opportunity to enjoy spending time together outdoors in the company of joyful animals.
Additionally, visits may serve as a pleasant distraction from other burdens that might be weighing on you. We are thrilled to offer you and your family a safe, family-friendly environment. We know firsthand the restorative benefits of spending time outdoors and interacting with animals.
The barnyard visits are individually geared towards families and their needs. Possible activities include: caring for the animals (walking, feeding, and grooming the animals), sensory activities, unstructured play, gardening, and more.
Please note: Elsie’s Barnyard, Inc. is located at the Fleming residents. There is a specified area designed with you and your family in mind. The “barnyard” provides safety and comfort to both the participants and the animals. The “barnyard” includes an enclosed yard and climate controlled 20×10 barn where friends and animals alike are free to explore and enjoy. All other areas of the property are off-limits. Volunteers on site will enforce this policy for your safety and the safety of our animals.
All activities will be facilitated by a trained volunteer.
This hour-long experience is available for 1- 2 families per time slot. This visit is only for immediate family living in the same household. Children must be accompanied by at least one adult guardian and that adult must accompany and supervise the children for the entire time while at the barnyard.
Meaningful Work
Volunteer opportunities for teens and young adults with disabilities. For more information about volunteering at the Barnyard, please email
Mandy @ elsiesbarnyard@gmail.com
Open Barnyard
Please watch the calendar of events for weekly open barnyard times. This will be an opportunity to visit all your barnyard friends while engaging with other families.
Field Trips
“Elsie’s Barnyard is a perfect destination for students with special needs to experience life on the farm in a safe, engaging, and sensory-friendly way. Our students, ranging in age from kindergarten through high school, love visits to Elsie’s Barnyard!”
We welcome field trips for educators who support youth with adverse medical conditions. Our “barnyard” provides a stress-free outing for educators while simultaneously offering youth a fun and flexible experience. We can comfortably accommodate up to 12 students, but smaller groups are encouraged. Visits are typically scheduled for 45 – 60 minutes and that time is typically unstructured. Students are provided opportunities to interact with various animals, look at books, or play with farm and animal-related toys. Trained volunteers are onsite to facilitate the animal encounters and support you and your staff.
Please complete a field trip request form below. Requests should be made 15 days prior to your desired field trip date.
T21 Forging Friendship Group
We are thrilled to be hosting several “Forging Friendship” groups this summer. Each group will meet weekly for six weeks.
The purpose of these groups are for parents of children who share similar diagnosis to connect, encourage, and support one another on their respective journeys. While the parents are meeting the children will be engaged in fun activities directed by volunteers
who have extensive experience working with children how have special needs.
Pre-registration will be required.
Groups are ongoing. Contact us for more details.
