A small co-op for kids who like to make things.
Forge is a project-based homeschool co-op in Farmington for children roughly 6–12. We keep the group small — around 8–10 families — so it stays personal, hands-on, and actually fun to belong to.
What we offer
- Skill-based project camps taught by specialists.
- Seasonal gatherings: a wholesome Halloween, a Thanksgiving etiquette meal, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and a potluck-style End of Year party (whole-food only).
- A close-knit group of families where friendships have room to grow.
How it works
The year runs in project blocks led by hired specialists. Every family takes a turn on the parent volunteer rotation for the full 10 AM–3 PM span — drop off and go most Fridays, on duty about once every six weeks.
We follow the Davis School District calendar for Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks, and we take summers off. Halloween moves to Thursday, October 29.
This year's rough schedule
Here's roughly how the year lines up so far (subject to change). We work hard to bring in the most qualified, passionate specialists — pricing is set by each instructor and varies, though we always aim to keep costs reasonable.
| Rough dates | What's happening | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 11 – 25 | Storytelling Camp | 3 weeks |
| Oct 2 – 23 | Horseback Riding / Animal Camp | 3 weeks |
| Oct 29 (Thu) | Halloween Party | — |
| Nov 6 – Dec 4 | Fire Building / Survival Camp | 3 weeks |
| Nov 20 | Thanksgiving Etiquette Meal | — |
| Dec 11 – Jan 22 | Art Camp | 3 weeks |
| Dec 18 | Christmas Party | — |
| Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Leather Working Camp | 3 weeks |
| Feb 12 | Valentine's Day Party | — |
| Feb 26 | Archery Camp | 1 week |
| Mar 5 – 12 | Geology Camp | 2 weeks |
| Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Cooking Camp | 6 weeks |
| May 7 – 14 | Young Entrepreneurs Camp | 2 weeks |
| May 28 | End of Year Party | — |
Camp fees vary by instructor, generally ranging from $25 to $300 per family — $300 being on the very high side and unlikely.
Membership
- $50/month per family, month-to-month with no long-term contract. Think of it as flexible weekly supervision: drop off and go most Fridays, with your family on volunteer duty only about once every 6 weeks.
- Covers coordination, hosting, cleanup, community events (parties included), and a small cushion for the unexpected.
- Our first month (September) is prorated to $37.50 for the partial start.
- Project fees are separate, paid up front per project, and are non-refundable once a project begins.
Our food standard
Everything served is whole-food based — fresh fruit, vegetables, homemade snacks like popcorn — no processed foods or artificial ingredients. Families share allergy and dietary info at enrollment so we can plan safely together.
Screen-free culture
We're a screen-free co-op — no phones or personal devices during co-op hours, so kids stay fully present with each other and their hands-on work. It's also part of the broader culture we hope to build: many friendships that start here continue outside co-op, and we'd love for those to stay screen-free too. We want families to know where we stand on this upfront, so if it's a value your family shares, we think you'll feel right at home.
What we're looking for
Because Forge is intentionally small and built on real relationships, we're thoughtful about who joins us. We look for kids with a good attitude who treat others with kindness and engage respectfully — especially since many activities happen in close, hands-on settings around tools and fire. We hold strong values and character close to our hearts, and we're selective on purpose: to protect a tight-knit group of families who really know each other and build lasting friendships.
Want in?
Enrollment is a conversation, not a checkout. Fill out the form, Maquell will be in touch, and if it's a fit you'll get the family questionnaire after you're accepted.