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August 2024 by Cindy Koegler
TLDR: My 4-year-old daughter had a terrible day at camp, for which Good Pickin' took no responsibility, and it cost me $800.
My experience at Good Pickin' Farm was disappointing and expensive. I enrolled my 4-year-old daughter at the Sprouts summer camp, two days a week for 6 weeks in July/August 2024. After her first day, my daughter got in the car and started crying and screaming, saying many things I did not understand, such as "The teachers were mean to me," and "They didn't give me the right protection," and "I need to go home, when are we home?" I had not seen her that upset since she had toddler meltdowns. My child was in trauma, and I told her she didn't have to go back, it was just one day, and it was done. She stopped crying then, and over the next day, I heard a repeated telling of the negative aspects of camp, along with two positive things: 1) a teacher had rolled her up in a towel like she was a little bug, and 2) they got to choose to go on a slide and it was a big slide.
I called the camp immediately and sent an email, because the main voicemail said the camp does not return calls as quickly as emails. Erin responded to my email quickly, and she included the camp director who explained that my child seemed to have had a good first day. I said I'm sure they did their best, we couldn't have foreseen this, and my child would not continue at camp because she was not ready. Meanwhile, Erin said she'd process my refund.
Erin processed my refund in a timely fashion, but it was for less money than I expected. I paid $1380 for the whole summer, and I got $517.50 back. I had expected to lose 3 full paid days of camp per the refund policy: "If you cancel more than 7 days prior to the start date, you will be credited the full amount you have paid..." I expected to lose the day my child attended, plus the following two days, meaning I would get around $1000 back. When I talked to Erin about this, she cited their refund policy, which apparently used the word "credit" in the sense that if you buy a towel from Target but lose the receipt, they don't give you money back but you can get something else worth $20. I emailed Erin back, saying my daughter was traumatized by her experience, and could she please refund me an additional $160 to cover the cost of a camp I'd found that would better meet her needs. Erin then took no responsibility for my daughter's trauma and wrote, "We offered to try suggestions you may have on our end in order to ensure that [your child] had a successful and fun time here at camp, and you responded that you felt she just wasn’t ready for an outdoor camp experience even though she told you positive, happy stories about her time here at camp." When I wrote back reminding Erin of the many negative things my child had told me about Good Pickin' and asking her to please reconsider refunding an additional $160 to help out our family, she chose not to respond to my email.
I'm offering this level of detail to illustrate the Good Pickin' Farm administration's inflexible policies and uncaring treatment of families. If this is how the administration treats a family whose child was hurt by a day of camp, I do not trust that they run their programs from a child-centered place.
If you send your child to Good Pickin', at least be aware that you will lose a significant amount of money--regardless of circumstances and the Farm's culpability--if you need to withdraw.
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July 2024 by Eric Wallace
Wife was treated very poorly at a birthday party. Unacceptable
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July 2024 by Emily W
I just attended a birthday party at good pickin farm and was very astounded and displeased with the way I was spoken to and approached by farmer Sandra. My gps led me into the farm through the exit, and farmer Sandra came storming up to my car to confront me about this error. I apologized and explained my mistake, and her response was “You should have seen with your two eyes the exit sign right there!” She then directed me to a parking spot where she corrected my parking and had me re-park. Several other partygoers made the same mistake as I did and entered the farm through the exit. She did not say anything to them. Farmer Sandra proceeded to tell the party host that she was “very harsh” to a guest. Upon leaving, I made a point to check out the entrance which is marked by a small wooden sign on the ground, with faded and small printing. I can imagine that many guests miss this poorly placed and inadequate sign and entrance. I also cannot imagine leaving my child under this person’s supervision, and will not consider this farm for camps or any other activity. Very saddened and disappointed by my experience.
I hope that you can exhibit kindness and respect in light of this common human error in the future, especially in front of our youth. I trust that your school also encourages those exact values and principles.
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March 2024 by jim cassel
Unprofessional management staff.
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March 2024 by Rosemary Terella
My daughter did a pony ride today, and I was so blown away with our experience. Farmer Jen was incredible! We loved hearing about how she grew up with horses, and her passions for animals and having a farm. She went above and beyond what I would have expected for a pony ride, teaching my daughter about grooming, tacking, and safety in such a child friendly and fun way, she clearly has a very special way with children. The pony ride was awesome as well, Jen made it so fun and interesting by going through some of the obstacles that were set up in the ring. Needless to say, it was one of the most special experiences for my daughter and we were so grateful for the opportunity! Thank you!!! ??
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December 2023 by Elizabeth Murrillo
This property is located in a picturesque part of westford. The property is well maintained.Our family of 4 with an 18 month old and a 4 year old were there this past weekend for a holiday themed event for families. The event was mismanaged in manny aspects. On site parking is minimal and by the time we got there we were told we could unload the kids and then go get a shuttle. It should be noted, the directions to get to the location for the shuttles were vague and frustrating. The sandbox was overfilled with kids. No animals to interact with. Expensive Christmas trees ($80) that were quite small. The vendors on site were selling junk. One vendor was selling nice products. The pony rides were over priced with a horribly long line. And the route went though the chaos of people walking around. The hay rides had a long line and a crowded wagon. You could rent a fire pit for $125. Even with Mrs clause reading a story to you, it didn’t justify the cost. Way too many people in such a small space. And the concessions- nothing to write home about. My 4 year old said “this is not fun. I want to go home”I’d love a refund for the inconvenience and miserable time had by us all.
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November 2023 by Sara H.
Went on a goat hike today. So fun! We meandered through the property with half dozen friendly goats. Farmer Jen is knowledgable and passionate. Nothing fancy - just a nice walk through trails and woods. Def recommend for a get out into the fresh air and support a small business.
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November 2023 by William McDonald
The property is beautiful and they have plenty of farm animals for children. More recently though, they held an Oktoberfest event that was mismanaged in a number of ways, which led to a lackluster experience for many patrons including myself and my son. Hopefully they can learn from these errors and host future special events with more success.
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October 2023 by Bill McDonald
The property is beautiful and they have plenty of farm animals for children. More recently though, they held an Oktoberfest event that was mismanaged in a number of ways, which led to a lackluster experience for many patrons including myself and my son. Hopefully they can learn from these errors and host future special events with more success.
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September 2023 by Joseph Sharkey
A wonderful farm that offers hands on time with animals. A bunny in your arms is worth more than all the exotic animals sleeping at the zoo. Theres pigs, horses, llamas, alpacas, chickens of every variety and ducks (you can pick all those up too). The staff are very nice and are happy to talk and let you play with the animals. They do events, birthdays, and mobile petting zoos. Brought my 2 year old and she was infatuated
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September 2023 by Sam C.
Buyer beware. We sent our child to the Good Picken' farm summer camp this summer. They don't tell you upfront that they reserve the right to remove any child from the program for any reason they see fit and not return any unused prepaid tuition. I will never send my child back and will tell everyone I know about their policies to make sure they don't get taken.
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September 2023 by Kay B.
Cute farm with cute goats, but I found the experience with the goat snuggle a little off putting. The woman working there was not very welcoming or engaging.
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June 2023 by Jason San Martin
Amazing staff. Wonderful environment and experience. Coming back for my kids and goat/bunny yoga!
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April 2023 by Tim Geheran
Disappointing Easter EventPoor execution. We waited with our two year old for twenty minutes in the tractor ride line. Was one of the reasons we came here. But as it was our turn to get on the tractor, some lady came over and declared, without prior warning, an end to the rides. There we probably 20-30 ppl still waiting. Would have been really easy to manage that differently and not let those kids have their spirits crushed. Our son asked about the hay ride the whole way home.As the easter egg hunt was about to begin, someone tried in vain to shout the instructions to a crowd of more than one hundred people. Did not work. (For those of you that haven't been - the plastic eggs are strewn on the field for them to pick up, sectioned off by age group.)There was a small pen where ppl could go in to interact with the animals. (ducks, bunny, goat, etc) Initially there was no crowd control - it was chaos and our son couldn't even get to the little pens inside that housed the chics, bunny, etc. Eventually someone decided crowd control was needed - too little too late - we had already moved on.A large sandbox in the middle of it all includes spare parts from a kitchen - literally a metal kitchen sink is thrown in there, plus some other junk - rusty metal kids trucks, eg. Not great.Overall, I'd say look for another option. This group seemed to be unorganized and surprised by the number of ppl they were hosting, or just didn't think it through.
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November 2022 by Stephanie Karshbaum
Good Pickin' Farm is absolutely amazing. I had them come to my house and supply a petting zoo for a birthday party I was hosting there. The niceness, knowledge, and patience by the staff with the children can not be superceded! Every one of my party guests couldn't get over how Farmer Jen would light up when discussing the animals and how she took the time to explain each animal and answer every question from each child. They brought a beautiful animal enclosure that the kids had more than enough space to mingle with the animals, and there was a generous array of animals that were brought for the kids to enjoy. The farmers were so personable and really made the birthday party a hit. The animals also were clearly very loved and well taken care of. I would choose this farm a million times over, I can't say enough good things about them and my experience. My son just totally adored the animals they brought.Thanks Good Pickin' Farm!!!
