The Youth Enrichment Center at Hilton-Winn Farm is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to positive youth development, nature-based education, and stewardship of the unique agricultural landscape. The Hilton-Winn farm is located in Cape Neddick, Maine, on a King’s Grant farm that dates back to the 1600s.
In the 1990s, as the rural qualities of southern Maine life were being threatened by rampant development, Ethel Hilton, the 9th generation of the Hilton‐Winn family, was dedicated to preserving the woodlands, wetlands, and agricultural character of this historic property for future generations to enjoy. In 1998 she donated 185 acres of the property to the York Land Trust, which now forms the Hilton‐Winn Conservation Preserve.
In 2002 Youth Enrichment Center Executive Director Nancy Breen purchased the remaining central 48 acres of rolling fields and forests with one goal in mind: to establish a safe, peaceful, and fun environment for children to connect with the land, learn about the surrounding fields and forest, and be transformed along the way.
Since the center’s founding in 2002, Breen and supporters have renovated the farm’s structures, including the old farmhouse, barn, animal pens, gardens, greenhouse, animal buildings, multi-purpose room, history room, outdoor brick oven and fire pit.
Experiencing the beauty and connecting with the teeming life of the outdoors benefits all children (and grown-ups, too!). Spending time outdoors has been shown to improve concentration and focus and to reduce symptoms of challenging conditions. Nature-based education is beneficial for children because it provides a fun and safe environment where children are connected with nature and experience increased social opportunities and connections.
Being part of the farm’s activities broadens a child’s possibilities and world view. Children indulge all their senses by harvesting ripe vegetables and fruits right out of the rich soil, their eyes full of delight and wonder. They develop a feeling of pride that they are important enough, big enough, and valuable enough to twist a misshapen but beautifully natural cucumber from its vine. They respect the cucumber. They crunch into the cucumber and smile and are ultimately inspired and engaged. It’s a beautiful thing.
Our nature- and farm-based education programs serve thousands of children, teens, and families from southern Maine, coastal New Hampshire, and the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts. Whether you’re a parent, and educator, or child, the Youth Enrichment Center has a program for you.
I am involved with The Youth Enrichment Center to honor my parents and grandparents AND to support the mission of The Farm. Nancy Breen’s vision 'to provide a country farm experience to enrich the hearts, minds and spirits of our children' carries on the hopes and wishes of my mother and her love of the fresh air, the stillness of the evenings and majesty of the night sky, the birds singing, open fields and running streams, the woodlands and above all the beauty and appreciation of nature and country life.
- Nancy Hilton, founding board memberWhat I love most about the Farm and Maine is that it takes me back to a simpler time. The kids require so little to entertain them there – no classes and play dates and sports camps. There, they are content to play together, feed the chickens, help out in the garden, and roll down the hill. Their creativity blossoms on the farm, and it’s so easy to just “be” when you are there. All the nonsense is stripped away, leaving only the things that are most valuable – our connection with each other and nature.
- Nicole Downer, past board memberMany thanks to these organizations who have provided tremendous support to the Youth Enrichment Center at Hilton-Winn Farm.
Nancy E. Breen, Executive Director and Founder
Nancy is the Executive Director and Founder of the Youth Enrichment Center at Hilton‐Winn Farm. She earned a BS in early childhood education from Colby-Sawyer College, and for more than 40 years owned and operated a restaurant and catering business in Massachusetts and Maine. For years, Nancy dreamed of providing a space for children. She writes: “Throughout the years, I have worked with young people and witnessed first-hand that many of these children have lost their way or have been overlooked in such a busy world. I believe that all children should be afforded the opportunity to experience life in a healthy safe environment and to learn about their special place in the world.” She is thrilled that her vision of a special place for young people to learn and thrive is realized at the Youth Enrichment Center at Hilton‐Winn Farm.
Eva Diharce, M.S., CCC-SLP, Program Director
Eva, a licensed speech and language pathologist with more than 38 years experience, brings her expertise and love of children and nature to YEC's educational and enrichment programs. Eva has been involved in the YEC for over 19 years and founded the increasingly popular summer program designed for children with autism and other social pragmatic challenges. Her vision and energy are a huge component of everything that goes on at the YEC. In 2010, Eva was awarded the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation Community MVP Award for her excellent work at the YEC. She is the mother of her two children, Brandon and Alexandra.
We bring in qualified educators from the surrounding seacoast area including Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York.
We bring in experienced volunteers including:
The Youth Enrichment Center is supported by a volunteer board of experienced business people, educators, and non-profit managers who have been inspired by the Youth Enrichment Center.
Mary Dussault, founding board member
Mary Dussault is an Instructional Systems Specialist and Project Manager at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), where she directs a number of grant-funded national science education and outreach projects. Throughout her career in the CfA’s Science Education Department, and her prior work at Boston’s Museum of Science, she has been deeply committed to the research and development of powerful science learning experiences-- for the classroom, for informal settings and museum exhibitions, and for teacher professional development programs. Mary holds a Bachelor’s degree in astronomy from Wellesley College, and a Master’s degree in History of Science from Harvard University Extension School.
Regarding her support of the Youth Enrichment Center, Mary writes: "Growing up in small-town upstate New York, my own passion for science learning was inspired by outdoor adventures and the Time-Life Science Library on my parents' bookshelf (the internet of the 1960s). Today young people may have the world at their fingertips through their computers, but the Farm provides that essential experience of the earth under their fingernails and the vital human connection to the natural world."
Susan Breen, founding board member
Alison Scarry, board member
Alison Scarry (Ali), has been a healthcare professional for her entire career. She received her Bachelors degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Colby Sawyer College and her Masters degree in Healthcare Management and Informatics from the University of Massachusetts. The last 39 years has been spent at the Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence MA. Ali’s recent position has been the Senior Director of Laboratory and Imaging Services. Ali chose Lawrence General is it was her mission and vision to serve an under privileged and diverse community. Patient safety and quality patient care being her number one priority.
Ali’s friendship with Nancy Breen has spanned since the first day of college and it was only natural to be a part of her vision and mission at the Hilton Winn Farm since its inception. The remarkable foundation that Nancy laid was so inspiring and I am proud to be a part of the many lives enriched by all that the farm represents. There are few organizations that lend itself to what the Hilton Winn farm lends children, adults and the community and I am thankful for being a part of this.
Coming Soon
Jon Schwartz
Jack Armitage
Mary Breen
