Kindergarten students from North Buncombe Elementary School recently took learning beyond the classroom during a fun-filled fall field trip to Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard. 

Students enjoyed a classic Western North Carolina autumn experience as they explored the orchard and learned more about the season. One of the highlights of the day was picking their own apples straight from the trees and seeing firsthand where one of their favorite treats comes from. 

The adventure continued with a tractor ride around the farm, where students took in the sights and sounds of the orchard. They also put their navigation skills to the test while making their way through the corn maze. 

The field trip also brought several classroom lessons to life. Kindergarten students have been learning about their five senses - taste, smell, sound, touch and sight - and the orchard provided plenty of opportunities to put those senses into action. From seeing colorful apples and flowers and smelling the fresh fall air to touching different textures found around the farm, students were able to experience their lessons in a whole new way. 

Students have also been learning about life on a farm and how food makes its journey from the farm to our tables. Picking apples directly from the tree gave them a firsthand look at where food comes from and helped connect what they have been learning in the classroom to the world around them. 

No fall trip would be complete without pumpkins! Students wandered through the pumpkin patch, surrounded by bright orange pumpkins and plenty of opportunities to make memories with their classmates. 

Field trips like this give students the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences while exploring the communities around them. For North Buncombe Elementary’s youngest learners, it was a day filled with apples, pumpkins, adventure and plenty of fun!