Fall at Jollay Orchards

We had an incredible day at Jollay Orchards, packed with fall-themed fun and outdoor activities for our scholars. The day began with a scenic hayride through the orchard grounds, leading to highlights like the pumpkin patch, corn maze, haunted house, fishing pond, and western town. A favorite stop was the petting zoo, where scholars had a blast playing with the animals and learning more about farm life.

As part of our mission to connect kids with a farm-to-table experience, scholars picked apples to bring back to the farm, where they teamed up with a chef from the nonprofit Pilot Light to transform their harvest into a delicious apple crisp! This hands-on activity helped them see firsthand how food moves from the farm to the plate.

During free play, scholars had a chance to relax and explore different activities, from drawing and writing to swinging, frisbee, and cornhole. A spontaneous, student-led volleyball game brought together scholars from all 12 participating schools, creating opportunities for new friendships.

The day wrapped up with a catered dinner, complete with popsicles handed out by Todd, as scholars mingled and celebrated another memorable day together.