School Field Experiences

Bowers School Farm and Johnson Nature Center, both owned and operated by Bloomfield Hills Schools, extend learning beyond the classroom. Their diverse habitats support a variety of native plants and wildlife, livestock, and crops. From stepping into the historical buildings and back in time, to digging deep into the soil and imagining a more sustainable future, these unique sites offer dynamic educational experiences to serve the needs of today’s students.

  • We aim to strengthen classroom teaching and learning by engaging teachers and students in authentic, meaningful experiences that enrich their identities and expand their skills, knowledge and perspectives.

    Together we will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other and the world around us through inquiry-based, developmentally appropriate practices that promote joy and discovery.

    We will build connections within our local community in order to spark action and service. We hope to leverage this action to work toward a healthier community and environment.

  • We are committed to designing educational experiences utilizing research-based learning objectives, frameworks and strategies to guide learners in achieving valuable academic and social-emotional outcomes. We will promote the appreciation and value of outdoor experiences for all in order to reach those outcomes by teaching and valuing the whole person.

  • We believe in a place-based educational approach that embraces deep learning and high impacts by immersing learners in the natural world, land heritage and local food systems. We encourage students to make connections by contributing and applying their own unique knowledge, strengths and interests to develop a stronger sense of themselves and their role in their communities, sparking learning that is cross-cultural and centered on respect and belonging.

View our School & Group Programs Welcome Packet & FAQ to plan your visit.

Current School Field Trips Available for Registration

Farm Detectives

♦ Any Ages/Grades♦ 

Explore the joys and mysteries of life on the farm! Students/Guests will be invited to become detectives on the farm to help us solve BIG questions. What do the animals on the farm need to be healthy? And how can we, as farmers, help care for the animals?

Students will be led by one of our instructional farm guides to meet our animals, participate in hands-on activities, and take a wagon ride around the farm. Activities may vary based on animal care and needs.

Spring: April, May, June ($12 per person)

Worm (Vermicomposting) Rental Kits

♦ Any Ages/Grades♦ 

Bowers Worm Farming Fun is a program designed for teachers, young learners, and first-time vermicomposters! We deliver toolkits, educational materials, experiments, and fun activities. We provide you with easy-to-follow instructions and personalized help from Bowers staff throughout the process. These small, user-friendly totes will come with Red Wigglers ready to help compost your kitchen scraps and the first bit of food scraps, properly cut up to help get you started.

This program is designed to help you learn the basics of vermicomposting and our goal is to make it enjoyable and educational for students and teachers alike. Worm bins will be returned to Bowers Farm, but we hope that you will keep the Red Wigglers and graduate to a slightly larger worm bin that can accommodate more food scraps.

Caring for Red Wigglers is easy once you learn the basics, so we have options to help provide you with all of the information that you need.

$45 per kit (3 month rental March - May 2024)

Pick up at Bowers Farm on March 4 or 5 at 12p-6p.

BHS Toolkit

What you need to know….

Developmental Kindergarten

Our BHS Developmental Kindergarten classes alternate visits between Bowers School Farm & Johnson Nature Center to integrate agricultural experiences and nature-based learning into the curriculum, sparking discovery and joy for exploration and learning in the outdoors. These experiences will provide a strong foundation for future learning.