YDU Attends Garrett Williamson Farm Harvest Festival
On a beautiful October Saturday, Youth Development United families participated in a special outing to the Garrett Williamson Farm Harvest Festival in Newtown Square.
Attendees enjoyed a hayride, barn tours, straw maze, garden activities, bounce house, barrel train, obstacle course, face painting, music, crafts and more during their four hour visit.
A bus generously funded by Boeing provided free and convenient transportation to and from Chester.
“Thanks so much for setting this up! The kids had a great time,” reported YDU parent and Upland resident Valerie Walton, who brought her children to the event.
YDU staffer Titus Robinson said, “I enjoyed being in nature and with the young people. It was a beautiful day to spend at the farm.”
Thanks to its generous supporters and partners, YDU provides the children and families it serves with memorable after-school and weekend opportunities that increase their access to mentorship, wellness, the arts and personal development.
On this occasion, the group was happy to offer extra bus seats to its community partner Chester Eastside so that others could take full advantage of the opportunity.
“The trip to Garrett Williamson farm was wonderful. The friendliness of the Garrett Williamson staff, the delight on the children's faces, and a beautiful day for an outside excursion combined to produce a great day of fun and laughter,” said Kathryn Redd of CE. “Thank you very much on behalf of the children, parents, and staff of Chester Eastside's OST After-School program.”
“The Harvest Festival was a great excuse to get outside, enjoy the changing colors and spend time with family and friends. We were so happy to host families from Chester for this event and warmly welcome them into the Garrett Williamson family! We hope to see everyone again soon,” commented Giselle Cosentino, Director of Community Initiatives for Garrett Williamson Farm.
Garrett Williamson Farm has a rich history in making such experiences more accessible. The organization’s website reads: “After our founder Elizabeth Garrett died in 1910, she left her farm and all of its buildings and equipment to provide a vacation home ‘for the support and maintenance of poor children and deserving single women, as many as possible, so each shall remain for a limited period during the spring, summer, and fall months and shall be succeeded by others in the same manner.’ Since then, Garrett Williamson has been committed to enriching the lives of children and families in the greater Philadelphia area through quality and inclusive educational, environmental, and recreational programs, which are enhanced by their setting in and connection to a historical farm.”
