Fischer Farm

Fischer Farm is one of the oldest remaining homesteads in the county. The family settled here in 1836 and established a dairy farm. Their success was evident by 1919 when they had the beautiful foursquare farmhouse constructed. This homestead now forms the core of the Fischer Woods Preserve.

This preserve is still home to remnant prairie and wetland and provides a glimpse of what the first settlers to the area saw. The land is valued both for these original seedbeds of native plants and for its historical integrity. The nine structures are all connected to the Fischer family and remain on their original foundations. The Bensenville Park District, in cooperation with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, has been working to preserve both the homestead and the native ecosystems while promoting education and recreational opportunities at the site.

Free Admission

16W680 Grand Avenue

Hours:

Building closed until further notice due to Covid-19. Grounds are open from dawn til dusk.

VOLUNTEER AT THE FARM

Youth Volunteer Orientation Day

Your journey with volunteering at Fischer Farm starts here! During this high school student only orientation we’ll introduce you to the responsibilities, skills needed, and benefits of volunteering with Fischer Farm. Pre-registration required. Lunch provided. Min 6 | Max 15. (LS)

Volunteer Orientation Day

Your journey with volunteering at Fischer Farm starts here! Everyone is welcome at our volunteer introduction day at the farm. We’ll introduce you to the responsibilities, skills needed, and benefits of volunteering with Fischer Farm. Pre-registration required. Lunch provided. Min 6 | Max 15. (LS)

Summer Volunteer Days

Looking for volunteer hours? Want a chance to experience the behind the scenes at Fischer Farm? Just want to spend a sunny day gardening or enriching the lives of animals while giving back to your community? Consider becoming a volunteer with Fischer Farm! Twice a month we’ll meet at the farm to tackle chores, take care of animals, garden and more! Want to volunteer, but can’t make any of our volunteer days? No problem! Contact Lisa Semetko at lsemetko@ bvilleparks.org to find out how you can help! We meet every second and fourth Saturday! (LS)

Program Ages Day/Date Time

Location Youth Volunteer Orientation Day 15-17 Sa, 06/05 11:00A-1:00P Fischer Farm Volunteer Orientation Day 18+ Su, 06/06 11:00A-1:00P Fischer Farm Summer Volunteer Days All See description 9:00-11:00A Fischer Farm

Activity # Res | NR 501224-01 Free 501224-02 Free 501224-03 Free

Nerf-day Birthday

Make your child the birthday Champion with a Nerf Birthday Party. We’ll battle with the best of them and finish off the day with pizza, drinks and time to open presents. We’ll provide the Nerf Blasters, darts, and barriers. (LS)

Princess Tea Party

Make your birthday the event of the season. All your Royal guests will be treated to a relaxing afternoon tea party featuring a snack and “tea.” After tea time we’ll play smashing games and do a craft fit for a princess. (LS)

Nature Birthday

Have a wild time at Fischer Farm! The birthday boy or girl will have their own personal party guide to lead games, activities, and fun designed specifically for them. Afterwards we’ll have pizza, drinks and time to open presents. (LS)

Birthday Theme Ages Days Hours Location

Fee Nerf-day Birthday 6-11 Apr-Oct 2 hours Fischer Farm $165 | $195 Princess Tea Party 5-10 Apr-Oct 2 hours Fischer Farm $165 | $195 Nature Birthday 6-11 Apr-Oct 2 hours Fischer Farm $165 | $195

Birthday Party fee includes 12 children, additional children are $8 each.

Parties are available from April to October, contact Lisa Semetko at (630) 238-4929 or LSemetko@BvilleParks.org for any questions or to reserve.

BADGE WORKSHOPS

Work towards your badges with the Bensenville Park District! Each program takes 1.5 to 2 hours and will fulfill most or all of the requirements for one of the badges listed. Rates are per troop. Want to do a badge program with your troop? Contact Lisa Semetko at (630) 238-4929, or lsemetko@bvilleparks.org to schedule your program today!

Daisy: Money Counts Leaf

Girls will learn money skills like it’s 1899. First they will earn their money, then make a shopping list, and finally spend their money to buy supplies for their farm. Working towards badge 1, 2, and 3 of Money Counts Leaf. (LS)

Brownie: Bugs

Scouts will learn all about the bugs living in Illinois’ forests. Girls will make and label their own bug chart, make some cool bug art, and go on a bug-finding adventure. Fulfills requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Bugs Badge. (LS)

Junior: Geocacher

Go on a treasure hunt with your Troop! You’ll learn what geocaching is, how to work a GPS, and how to prepare for a geocaching adventure. Then we’ll try out geocaching and make a trade item to take home. Fulfills requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Geocacher Badge. (LS)

Cadette: Night Owl

Explore the night with your troop! You’ll learn about how nocturnal animals experience their world, go on a night hike, and have a bonfire with s’mores. Fulfills requirements 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Night Owl Badge. (LS)

Program Days Months Hours

Location Daisy - Money Leaf Counts M-Sa Year-round 1.5 hours Fischer Farm Brownie - Bugs M-Sa May-Sep 1.5 hours Fischer Farm

Junior - Geocacher M-Sa Year-round 1.5 hours Fischer Farm

Cadette - Night Owl M-Sa June-Aug 1.5 hours Fischer Farm

Activity # Per Group 506140-01 $94 506140-02 $94 506140-03 $94 506140-04 $94

Lions: Ready, Set, Grow

Learn all about the different ways to garden, eat some healthy snacks made from locally grown food, and try planting your own garden. Fulfills all requirements for Ready, Set, Grow Adventure. (LS)

Tigers: The Sky is the Limit

Check out the Farm after Dark with the Park District. We’ll study the stars of the night sky with our eyes and with telescopes, discover the names of constellations and the stars that make them up, and get the chance to make our own constellations back inside. Fulfills requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Sky is the Limit Adventure. (LS)

Wolf: Grow Something

You’ll learn about Illinois’ growing zone and the plants that live in it, what skills you need to keep a healthy garden, make an awesome terrarium to take, and go home with a seed you planted in your own container. Fulfills requirements 2, 3, and 4A of Grow Something Adventure. Complete requirement 1 a month after program. (LS)

Program Days Months Hours Location

Lions - Ready Set Grow

M-Sa May-Aug 1.5 hours Fischer Farm Tigers - The Sky is the Limit F-Sa May-Aug 2 hours Fischer Farm Wolf - Grow Something M-Sa May-Aug 1.5 hours Fischer Farm

Activity # Per Group 506040-01 $94 506040-02 $114 506040-03 $94

RENTALS

Now booking for 2021! Fischer Farm is an ideal and unique event venue, as it is one of the oldest homesteads in DuPage County. The Farm is easily accessible and provides a wonderful rustic setting for any special occasion. The grounds and structures at the farm provide the perfect backdrop for photo opportunities that will provide many years of great memories. Rental packages include the farm grounds, or the granary. Additional add-ons include a guided tour and use of the fire pit. Rentals are available from April to October. Maximum of 50 people, Covid restriction pending. For more information, please email LSemetko@BvilleParks.org.

Fischer Farm Rental Type Res. NR

Farm Field

$85 hr. $110 hr. Granary Barn/Fire Pit $50 hr. $60 hr. Full Farmstead (Field & Barn) $110 hr. $135 hr.

Professional Photographers & Filmmaker Permits

Fischer Farm is available for rental. Please contact Lisa Semetko at (630) 238-4929, or LSemetko@bvilleparks.org

High School Volunteer Program

Need to get Community Service Hours? We have a ton of opportunities on the farm or even at Special Events. Contact Lisa at LSemetko@BvilleParks. org.