Jenny Jump Farm Tour Because We “Felt” Like It

This past weekend we had planned a farm tour and demonstration for a group of Cub Scouts from Ridgewood, NJ. I have learned knowing you audience is crucial in creating a fun experience. Besides meeting the animals I had to think of a project that what would interest the boys ages 5 – 13.  I thought making a felted pouch would be fun.  I did a practice run using wool and a bar of ivory soap with water. It took only 15 minutes to make a pouch.  All this could be done in under an hour.

As the day arrived, I set up four stations showing the care of sheep and the progression of making wool into a finished garment. Great, now I am ready for anything or at least I thought I was.

However, in place of the Cub Scouts we had their sisters and two younger bothers along with their mothers show up for the tour. The Cub Scouts had decided swimming was more fun than a visit to a sheep farm. So much for planning ahead. Despite the change, we all had a great time. The kids loved petting Josey, the sheep and feeding Arbee and Max carrots. Since there were only four kids they had a chance to spin and felt wool. Children catch on quickly and were spinning their own yarn within minutes. The adults also enjoyed making felted pouches and were a great help with the little boys.

Their finished pouches were amazing and each one was quite unique. They combined white, gray and black roving giving each an interesting texture and free form look. We all were so involved including my husband who took some great pictures. Many thanks to Ellen for taking some pictures of the pouches.

Well, I hope they come back again next year and I will be sure to take some pictures of the finished pieces.

Please click on picture for full view in the gallery.