Bates Farm

08/29/2026

Homeschool Camping Weekend is right around the corner (Sept 25th–27th), and our activity schedule is locked in! ⛺✨

If you’ve been planning to join us, now is the time to reserve your campsite and pick your add-on activities. From hands-on Off-Grid Kids workshops (litmus paper, earth batteries, water purifiers, and hydroponics!) to star gazing, archery, and guided glow hikes, you can build the exact weekend adventure your family wants.

Check out the full schedule below to map out your trip!

Alabama Choose Act Vendor eligible!

👇 Reserve your campsite and select your workshops here:
www.bates-farm.com/homeschool-camping-2026

08/28/2026

Calling all Hobbits, Elves, and Middle-earth adventurers! 🧝‍♂️🍃

September 22nd is Hobbit Day, and we’re throwing a Bilbo Baggins’ Birthday Bash at our Lothlorian site! Pack a picnic, don your finest Middle-earth attire, and come celebrate everyone's favorite hobbit.

Whether you're coming for the costume contest, taking a tree-identification hike through the woods, or tackling an outdoor escape game, it’s going to be a magical afternoon.

Don't forget your walking stick—an unexpected journey awaits! 🧺✨

👇 Get all the details and plan your visit:
https://www.bates-farm.com/service-page/hobbiton-celebration

08/27/2026

Ready to test your target skills under the stars? 🎯✨

Grab your bow and join us for our next 3D Archery Glow Shoot! We’ve updated our lighting setup from last year, and we're bringing back 50% cash payouts including for the youth division.

No pre-registration needed—just head out, grab some food at the concession stand, and compete for top score after dark! 🏹

08/26/2026

🍂 September Happenings at Bates Farm! 🍂

Check out the full September lineup 🌿✨

🏕️ Labor Day Weekend — September 4th–7th
Spend your holiday unspooling under the stars at Bates Farm! ✨
Spots are limited—reserve early:
👇 https://www.hipcamp.com/.../land/alabama-bates-farm-zwjh1kee

📅 September 14th — Fall Classes Begin
🚨 Fall classes are almost full! 🚨
Classes kick off September 14th, and spots are limited:
- 🌿 Off-Grid Kids 1: 2 spots left
- 🍂 Off-Grid Kids 2: 1 spot left
- ⚡ Physics Kids: 4 spots left

👉 Register here: https://www.bates-farm.com/bates-farm-kids

📅 September 19th — Workshops + Glow Shoot!
🌿 9am–12pm: Compound Butter Making
🍯 1pm–3pm: Elderberry Syrup Making
Want to make a day of it? Sign up for both!

Seats fill up quickly—secure your spot today:
👇 bates-farm.com/workshops

🌙 8:00 PM: Bates Farm Glow Shoot (Youth + Friends)
Get practice under the lights at our 3D Archery Glow Shoot!
💲 $20
- 10 targets
- 1 Stake – Close Yardage
- Different lighting from last year
- 12’s & 14’s will be in play (must be called)

📍 Bates Farm, 343 Conway Rd Decatur, AL 35603
(Food available for purchase: burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, chips, drinks, popsicles & more!)

🎉 September 22nd — Hobbiton Celebration: Bilbo Baggins’ Birthday Bash
📅 September 22, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM–4:00 PM

Join us for a magical birthday party with friends, festive fun, and all the Bilbo magic at our Lolotrion site! 🎂✨
👉 Details:
https://www.bates-farm.com/service-page/hobbiton-celebration?referral=service_list_widget

🏕️ September 25th–27th — Homeschool Camping Trip
🌲 Choose Your Own Adventure at Bates Farm!
Secure your family’s spot here:
👇 bates-farm.com/homeschool-camping-2026

08/26/2026

September is right around the corner! Thanks to a bumper harvest, we’ve officially added another Elderberry Syrup workshop to our September lineup! 🌿✨

That means on September 19th, you can join us for Compound Butter Making, Elderberry Syrup Making, or make a day of it and sign up for both!

Whether you come for one workshop or spend the afternoon doing both, we’d love to have you out to learn how to craft your own custom butter blends and nutrient-rich syrups.

Seats fill up quickly, so be sure to secure your spot in advance!

👇 Register online today:
bates-farm.com/workshops

08/25/2026

Still looking for Labor Day Weekend plans? Spend your holiday unspooling under the stars at Bates Farm! 🏕️✨

We still have campsites available for the long weekend, but spots are limited. Grab your family, pack your gear, and come relax!

👇 Reserve your campsite on Hipcamp:
https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/land/alabama-bates-farm-zwjh1kee

08/22/2026

08/17/2026

08/17/2026

We at Bates Farm want to thank everyone who came out this weekend and braved the heat to shoot with us. It was a hot one to be sure. We had a good turnout considering.
Ashley Allen won the money class with a score of 178. He generously donated it to a good cause...so Lisa and I decided we would use it to buy arrows for the kids in our upcoming archery classes. We had a lot of folks shoot just for fun and a few for the money.
I believe everybody learned a little something from the shoot. I know I learned a little about setting up a longer distance shoot. And I believe all the shooters learned some things as well.
It was a lot of fun and great to see everyone. I plan on leaving the range set up this way for a few more weeks. Had a lot of comments that folks really enjoyed the challenge and it was something different than they normally shoot. To all those going up to shoot the Bowhunter Games...good luck to ya. For everyone else come on out next weekend and challenge yourself and all your buddies and have a lot of fun at the same time...🏹🏹🏹🏹