School Calendar & Events
Discover more about the events by scrolling past the calendar.
Winter Family Summit
Join us for our Winter Family Summit, time dedicated to providing educational information and support to parents/guardians raising neurodivergent children. Our goal is to enhance communication within the family unit while offering a unique opportunity to mingle with other parents/guardians and children. This event aims to create a supportive environment where families can socialize and learn valuable insights to better support their neurodivergent child.
The focus of our Winter Family Summit revolves around making new memories and preparing for the upcoming school break! Families will enjoy an activity together to kick of the summit followed by parents/guardians learning tips and tricks to a successful break from school. We will also have an optional parent/guardian support group following lunch. We will provide lunch. Everyone is welcome!
VIRTUAL Parent/Guardian Support Group
Everyone is welcome! Learn from others, meet other parents and guardians, and receive support from Josh Rinz, Director of Community and Family Support. There is no fee for participation. Donations are welcome and greatly appreciated!
TCFS Second Hand Sale
Support TCFS!
A variety of secondhand goods will be available for sale, and local vendors will promote their goods and services. The whole family is welcome to stop by, see our campus, and shop to support our mission.
Donations of secondhand items can be dropped off during the following times:
Thursday, November 14, 3:00-5:30pm
Friday, November 15, 11:00am-6:30pm
Donations cannot be accepted on Saturday morning.
All donated items must be in excellent condition and ready for resale. Unsold items will be donated locally for future resale.
No early bird shopping! Sale will open promptly at 9am on Saturday, November 16.
Small businesses, makers, or food trucks interested in vendor space, please contact us via message or comment. The cost for a booth with be a $40 donation to TCFS.
Virtual Lunch and Learn
Join us for an insightful Lunch and Learn event focusing on the Pervasive Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile in individuals with neurodivergence. This session will explore the unique characteristics of PDA, often seen in those on the autism spectrum, where anxiety-driven avoidance of everyday demands can significantly impact daily life. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how PDA presents, practical strategies for supporting individuals with this profile, and how to foster positive relationships. Whether you're a parent, educator, or professional, this event will provide valuable tools to better support those with PDA in various settings. Donations are welcome and appreciated when you register.
BBQ Bash
NEW DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 6PM
Featuring:
BBQ Dinner
Beverages for Purchase at Double Stamp Brewery
Music Bingo for prizes (one bingo card included in your ticket - additional cards available for purchase)
Meet the TCFS Team
IMPORTANT: After choosing your ticket type and entering attendee information, please click the cart icon at the top of the page to begin the checkout process.
Parent/Guardian Support Group (in-person and virtual)
Everyone is welcome to join us for our monthly parent/guardian support group! Interact with other parents and guardians as well as receive advice and recommendations from our own Josh Rinz, Director of Family and Community Support! Just let us know if you will be attending virtually or in-person. There is no charge for this group.
Virtual Lunch and Learn
Join us for an insightful Lunch and Learn event focusing on the Pervasive Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile in individuals with neurodivergence. This session will explore the unique characteristics of PDA, often seen in those on the autism spectrum, where anxiety-driven avoidance of everyday demands can significantly impact daily life. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how PDA presents, practical strategies for supporting individuals with this profile, and how to foster positive relationships. Whether you're a parent, educator, or professional, this event will provide valuable tools to better support those with PDA in various settings. $10 fee due at the time of registration goes directly toward clinical services for our students.
Fall Family Summit
The focus of our Fall Family Summit is the Vagus Nerve and Sensory Systems! Josh Rinz, Director of Community and Family Support, and Dani Kinsley, Occupational Therapist, and TCFS Board Member, will share information about the Vagus Nerve and impact on neurodivergent children, plus all about our sensory systems.
Learn from Dani about the eight sensory systems, how to figure out someone’s sensory processing “style” (sensory seeker, sensory avoider, etc.), and how to build a “sensory diet” plan to help meet a person’s daily sensory needs. Learn about neuro crashes (Dani’s favorite term for meltdowns!), how they are different than behavioral tantrums, and how to help prevent them using sensory and personal advocacy strategies.
Josh will share information about the Role of the Vagus Nerve in the Peripheral Nervous System and its impact on neurodivergence.
Following the presentations, we will have a parent/guardian support group for anyone interested in participation.
Trailhead Community Farm School invites all families to join us for our Fall Family Summit! This event is designed to provide valuable information and support to parents/guardians of neurodivergent children. Our goal is to enhance communication within the family unit and foster a greater understanding of neurodiversity. Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all members of our community. We look forward to seeing you at the Fall Family Summit!
(Virtual) Professional Lunch and Learn
Join our own Director of Community and Parent Support Josh Rinz and learn about the variety of animal-assisted options for therapists! From assistants in the therapeutic setting to service animals. Josh will share the ins and outs of requirements for these animals and service providers. This is also a great opportunity to network virtually with other professionals! Cost is $10.00.
Parent/Guardian Support Group
Come along and join Josh Rinz and other parents/guardians for our monthly Parent/Guardian Support Group! This initial meeting will be the only one offered as a hybrid event. Subsequent meetings will be exclusively in-person. Children are welcome to attend if necessary, as we will have team leaders available to supervise them during the group session. This event is complimentary, and all are welcome to join!
Virtual Introduction to Trailhead Community Farm School
Meet our team and discover our educational approach, available clinical services for students and families, and how we integrate these into our community, agriculture, and outdoor activities. Everyone is invited!
Virtual Introduction to Trailhead Community Farm School
Meet our team and discover our educational approach, available clinical services for students and families, and how we integrate these into our community, agriculture, and outdoor activities. Everyone is invited!
Summer Social
Every child is invited to join our Summer Socials! We will have games and team building activities! Dinner will also be provided. Please complete the form below. Once we receive the registration for your child, we will reach out with additional forms to be provided on or before the date of the Summer Social! Please let us know if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Community Bike Day
Visit us along the Swamp Rabbit Trail just south of Travelers Rest! Take the spur trail to Chris & Kelly's HOPE Fitness Park, and follow signs to the Trailhead Community Farm School Campus!
$5 tickets for a chance to win a free bike!
Produce sale (hosted by our students)
Snack sale (hosted by our volunteers)
Campus tours
Rest from your trail adventures!
Summer Social
Every child is invited to join our Summer Socials! We will have games and team building activities! Dinner will also be provided. Please complete the form below. Once we receive the registration for your child, we will reach out with additional forms to be provided on or before the date of the Summer Social as well as an invoice for the registration fee. The cost is $30.00 for one child and $15.00 for each additional child. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Family Summit
We’re ecstatic to have Josh Rinz lead our Family Summit! He will share insight and guidance around raising a neurodiverse child. Parent/Guardians will participate in a presentation with Josh while children participate in group activities with our team. Josh will then lead a family activity followed by a voluntary parent support group. Lunch is provided! There is no charge for Trailhead Community Farm School students/families. The cost for community members/families is $25.00. Everyone is welcome!
A little bit about our guest speaker…
Josh Rinz is a highly regarded therapist and neurodivergence clinical specialist,
renowned for his expertise in therapy and parenting for families and individuals who are
neurodivergent. With a Bachelor of Sciences in Biology from the University of North
Carolina and a MA in Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada,
Josh brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge and clinical insight to his practice.
As a clinical specialist in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Josh has dedicated his career to supporting individuals
on the autism spectrum, those with ADHD, and people with special needs. His passion
for this field is deeply personal, as he is also the parent of two young adults who are
neurodivergent. Considered one of Ontario's leading experts in this area, Josh offers
specialized support for parents seeking guidance in navigating the challenges and
celebrating the strengths of individuals who are neurodivergent.
Drawing from his background in zookeeping and biological sciences, Josh seamlessly
integrates Animal Assisted Therapies, horticultural therapies, and an understanding of
neurobiology into his work, tailoring solutions to the unique needs of each individual
and family. His practical, solution-focused approach has earned him recognition, with
families from around the world attending his workshops and groups.
Josh firmly believes in the inherent potential of every individual to lead a fulfilling life,
and he finds great joy in empowering parents to support their children who are
neurodivergent. Outside of his professional endeavors, Josh enjoys gardening, quality
time with his family, attending sci-fi conventions, and embarking on culinary adventures
in search of the region's best brunch spots.
Virtual Introduction to Trailhead Community Farm School
Join our team to learn about the many ways Trailhead Community Farm School is different from other programs! Hear about our academic approach for neurodivergent students as well as support for the family as a whole. Bring your questions! We can’t wait to meet you!
Virtual Introduction to Trailhead Community Farm School
Meet our team and learn about our program, such as admissions criteria, a typical day, and support available to students and families. Bring your questions! We look forward to seeing you!
TCFS Family Summit
Join us for our first Family Summit!
Everyone is welcome!
What is it?
Each quarter we will host an event for the whole family that incorporates the four components of Trailhead Community Farm School: Academic, Clinical, Outdoor Adventure and Farm, and Community.
We will have presentations from our clinical and academic teams as well as outside providers.
What is the purpose?
To provide educational opportunities for our students and families as well as for community members. Topics of presentations and activities will vary from event to event but revolve around the topic of Autism and ADHD. This opportunity will allow students and families to work together on building stronger relationships and improve communication skills while having fun together and likely trying new adventures and activities!
Cost
$25 per family without a student enrolled at Trailhead CFS
Lunch is included- we will have a chili cook off, so let us know if you would like to participate in the competition!