School’s out for summer, so it’s time to start thinking about fun activities to keep the kids happy all season long. Weaver’s Orchard has the perfect antidote for kids complaining of boredom: Read ‘n’ Pick Story Time.
Offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Read ‘n’ Pick Story Time is an interactive activity where children hear a fruit-themed story and then pick a container of fruit in the orchard. The program is geared toward children from preschool through age eight.
The Storyteller
Linda Hertzler, a long-time Weaver’s employee with a 17-year career as a preschool educator, leads Story Time. Linda searches for age-appropriate books about fruit to share with the children. Thanks to her efforts, Weaver’s has amassed a library of books over the years. She notes that it isn’t always a simple task to find stories about fruit, and says, “I always tell the kids that if they’d like to write and illustrate books about fruit when they grow up, they should. And then those books will become new Read ‘n’ Pick Story Time favorites.”
It’s all in the family when it comes to educating kids about fruit at Weaver’s Orchard—Brandon Hertzler, Linda’s son, leads Weaver’s Orchard Explorers Summer Camp on Tuesdays all summer. Orchard Explorers connects children to the wonders of farming through games, stories and hands-on learning.
Connect with Nature
After Linda reads a story to the children, it’s time to take a hike to the orchard to pick a container of the fruit of the day. During the walk, Linda will explain to the kids the proper technique for picking the fruit and always encourages them by sharing that the walk is worth it. They will literally get to enjoy the fruits of their labor!
There are many benefits to combining the story with fruit picking. Linda explains, “It’s important for kids to know where their food comes from. When they go and pick their own fruit, the children get enjoyment from seeing a real working farm, love spending time with their parents and grandparents and get a real sense of accomplishment.”
Check out the themes for upcoming Read ‘n’ Pick Story Time sessions below:
- Sweet cherries: June 19 and 21
- Red raspberries: June 26 and 28
- Black raspberries: July 3 and 5
- Blueberries: July 10 and 12
- Nectarines: July 17 and 19
- Donut peaches: July 24 and 26
- Peaches: July 31 and August 2
- Peaches/Nectarines: August 7 and 9
- Blackberries: August 14 and 16
- Pears: August 21 and 23
- Apples: August 28 and 30
Note: The crops that children will harvest and learn about are subject to change based on availability.
Delicious Results
After picking the fruit of the day, kids and parents alike will want to gobble it all up—straight from the container! If any manage to make it home, here are some easy recipes that the kids will love. These recipes are simple enough for them to help out, too!
Chocolate-Cherry Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup melted butter
- ⅔ cup milk
- 2 cups cherries, pitted
- ⅔ cup chocolate chips
Method
- Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease and line a muffin tin. In a bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Add the oats and blend. Set aside.
- In another bowl, mix the eggs and brown sugar. Add the melted butter and combine. In alternating additions, add the flour mixture and milk. Add the cherries and chocolate chips. Divide the batter between the muffin cups and bake for approximately 20 minutes (they only took 15 minutes in my oven, so keep an eye on them!) or until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Helpful hints: Toss the cherries with a light powdering of flour so their color doesn’t “leach” into the muffins. Sprinkling cinnamon into the batter will spice the muffins up!
Berry Compote
Ingredients
- 2 cups blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or raspberries
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Method
- Place berries, maple syrup and cinnamon in a small heavy saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries are mostly broken down, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cover to keep warm. Use to top pancakes, ice cream or pound cake.
Read ‘n’ Pick Story Time is $5 is per child, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The $5 fee includes a container of pick-your-own fruit. For more information, visit Weaver’s Orchard online.
Find Weaver’s Orchard at 40 Fruit Ln. in Morgantown; phone: (610) 856-7300.
- Photos: Weaver's Orchard
