Turn Back Time

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Paxton, MA
Turn Back Time

Turn Back Time’s mission is to help people recognize nature’s ability to teach and heal. Turn Back Time operates on a 58 acre homestead in Paxton, MA.

This property boasts a Turn Back Time (TBT) is a non-profit nature-based education center located on 58 acres in Paxton, Massachusetts. Our mission at Turn Back Time is to help people recognize nature’s ability to heal and teach with a commitment to offering programs to under-served populations.. We align with this mission through educational programs, nature play, and farm education. We connect p

articipants with nature through thoughtful and engaging programs, blending structured and unstructured exploration of the outdoor world within a welcoming and harmonizing environment. The property has expanded from humble beginnings to now include an active beaver pond, an extensive forested trail system, and a fully functional working farm. The farm includes a barn with classroom space, stables, green house, commercial garden beds, and a milieu of farm animals to interact with. Our in-resident animal friends include a whole clan of chickens (most uniquely named by children!), a horse, pony, goats, and a miniature donkey named MoMo, who all adore attention and care from our students and guests. Together, within our varying programs, we have the opportunity to witness nature’s splendor as it changes throughout the seasons; engaging our imaginations, activating our senses, and deepening our inquiry and knowledge of the natural world through active investigation. Our programs create resiliency as we build a relationship between the learner and the natural world; providing opportunities to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to ourselves. These opportunities in nature give individuals of all ages the time, space, and permission to learn, gain new experience, and grow in confidence and love for themselves, for others, and for this earth we call home.

06/03/2026

🌿Our founder, Lisa Burris, recently joined the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast to talk about the power of outdoor learning, nature connection, and unstructured play.

In this thoughtful conversation, Lisa shares why children need more time outdoors, how relationship-centered learning supports healthy development, and the many ways nature helps children build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

It’s an inspiring discussion for parents, educators, and anyone who believes childhood is meant to be filled with wonder, exploration, and connection to the natural world.

🎧 Be sure to check out Episode 201 and let us know your favorite takeaway in the comments!

Link to listen 👇🏼

https://pod.link/1669914286/episode/NmU4MjhhOGYtNGUzMC00NTg1LThmYTgtMGM1YmM2NjZlMmRh?fbclid=PAVERFWASNUTBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadWG_8HMGf8wsM0DyvECPbYPdAK31G1k-XCZEoB7EOgDebeTKXov_N1Y203Yg_aem_z1Zz29XwoIWUbg39hRzcwA

06/01/2026

🦋🐝The Salamander Crew is exploring the wonderful world of pollinators!

Over the past few weeks, our preschoolers have been learning about the important role that bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects play in our ecosystem. To support these helpful creatures, the children worked together to create a butterfly puddler for our Welcome Garden.
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The project began with the crew loading a large stump into a wagon and working together to transport it down to the garden, they then created and installed the butterfly puddler, which will provide a safe place for thirsty pollinators to rest and drink.
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The exploration continued as the children read A Seed Grows and created seed balls using native wildflower seeds that help attract and nourish pollinators. The children mixed soil and clay, squeezed and rolled the materials together, and gently pressed seeds into each ball. They will be bringing their seed balls home to plant with their families, extending their learning beyond the classroom and helping create more pollinator-friendly habitats in our community!
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These hands-on experiences help children make meaningful connections between seeds, soil, flowers, and the pollinators that depend on them. Along the way, they are also developing collaborative problem-solving skills, fine and gross motor skills, sensory awareness, and a growing sense of environmental stewardship!

05/30/2026

BBQ cancelled?
Baseball game rained out?

Join us on the farm for a muddy obstacle course that guarantees to be a blast! Work together with your team to complete over 25 outdoor mental and physical challenges. Start times at noon and 1:30.

Day of registration-$40

Not up for the race, but still want to come hang out? $10/family gets you access to the inflatable bounce/obstacle course, fox den, DJ dance party, arts and craft station, touch-a-tractor and time with horses, goats, and new baby ducks 🦆

Food and ice cream available for purchase. Come check it out!

05/28/2026

In our Preschool class, Butterfly Grove, an emergent curriculum on rocks has been unfolding! 🪨

Through hands-on exploration in the garden and forest floor, to storytelling, science, and play, their natural formed interest in rocks has grown into something worth diving into!

Over the past few weeks, children have examined rocks of all shapes and sizes, read books about geology and the natural world, experimented with a rock tumbler to observe how grit and motion slowly smooth stone, and explored how rocks break down over time into sand and soil.

Through curiosity led learning, children are building incredible observation skills, scientific thinking, patience, and a deeper connection to the earth beneath their feet! 🪨

05/27/2026

🛖 Airbnb at Turn Back Time 🛖

We have some spring/summer weekend openings!

Check it out 👇🏼

https://www.airbnb.com/slink/quFVasm1

Immerse yourself in a farm/forest wonderland! Our cozy cabins and yurt are the perfect glamping experience!

Outdoor fire pit/kitchen, hiking trails, wildlife, farm animals and so much more!! 🐓

05/26/2026

What began as a surprise visitor during morning circle quickly became an opportunity for observation, curiosity, creativity, and connection with the natural world. 🐢

The children explored books about turtles, studied the turtle closely using science tools, documented their observations through art and writing. Even while excitement bubbled up within the children they proudly practiced patience & gentle care while watching how it moved and behaved. Together, we asked questions, made predictions, explored her habitat near the Beaver Pond, and learned about the important role turtles play in the ecosystem.

In a nature-based classroom, learning grows from real experiences. A simple moment outdoors can inspire literacy, science, math, art, movement, and meaningful curiosity! 🌱

05/23/2026

🌱A heartfelt thank you to the Garden-On Team at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester!!

We are so grateful for your generous donation of native plants to our school garden. Your support helps create a beautiful space where children can learn, grow, and connect with the natural world. 🌿💚

05/18/2026

An afternoon at Waterfall, one of our most beloved spots on the farm! 🐸

A sensory experience that really plays a huge roll in child development- grounding our feet on the earth, exploring in the water, finding creatures, mud play, the environment is always changing and our curiosity leads the way.

It’s such a beautiful feeling when the forest is the teacher! 🌲

Address

250 Marshall Street
Paxton, MA
01612

Telephone

+19787603707

Website

http://www.tbtinc.org/

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