Hillcrest Tree Farm — Local services in Reedley

Poorly designed field trips.

Allow me to begin by saying I love Hillcrest. It’s a beautiful property, wonderful concept, and we have gone there for years on the weekends with family.

However, this was our first experience going as a field trip with our homeschool group, and it was definitely disappointing 💔

I am only writing this review because I believe that with some feedback they could significantly improve the experience for their patrons, but more importantly for the young kids who come to learn and hope to have an amazing experience.

1. LOGISTICS: Despite our field trip coordinator having meticulously scheduled and confirmed our visit (she had the confirmation email on her), the people running tours today somehow had no trace of us. We had to wait 30 minutes just to be allowed into the next uncomfortable situation.

2. SAFETY: Our children (and all the others who came on busses) were crammed into tight spaces unnecessarily. For story time, there was plenty of seating available but the person in charge required all the kids to sit uncomfortably close in the front row, and required that adults stand out of sight. This is inappropriate and unsafe for many reasons. For the hayride, they allowed our group to load in a cart and it felt safe, but then proceeded to seat 2-3 more groups on top of us. We were then sprayed with a lot of water half way through the ride without warning. And I imagine that for any child with sensory differences this could be a meltdown-inducing experience.

3. EDUCATION: “Story time” was severely lacking in anything actually educational. There were antiquated and inappropriate jokes about being “fat” and lying. The 15-20 minute “story” was rambling and unstructured. I believe it was supposed to give the children an example of the pumpkin lifecycle, but there was an inordinate amount of time and focus spent on fictitious characters who wanted to “get rich”. The woman was rude to the children and adults. Repeatedly yelling at kids to sit down and be quite (most of them were just pre-k!).

4. SUMMARY: The majority of our time was spent standing and waiting. The main area was blocked off, and the train doesn’t even run on field trip days. Plus you aren’t permitted to move freely through the activities as your group desires. They file everyone through at once while other areas of the property lie vacant. Logistically it makes no sense, and I’m surprised they haven’t been forced to improve all these years. At the very least, please hire someone who can at least tolerate or be kind to young children to run “story time”. 💔

Other people in our group reported that Hobbe’s Grove has a much better system in place for moving groups through. Next year we will be...

My daughter had the worst experience ever at Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch today. Her and her husband attended with her son's school and they brought their 3 year old daughter and 3 week old baby. She was told prior to the field trip that the siblings only needed to pay if they wanted a pumpkin and the adults were free. Upon arriving there she was told she would have to pay $6 each for both 3 year old and 3 week old to enjoy the story telling, ride the hayride, and receive a pumpkin. She told them that is not what she was told but she had no problem paying for the 3 year old. She was told that she could not get in with the baby if she didn't pay for her. While talking to her husband the older lady came out from the cashier station, puts her hand on her shoulder and told her that at least she didn't have to pay being smartass about it and continued to walk off on back. My daughter was upset at that point and told them well I will just go to the car with my baby and wait. The lady told her well you will have to do that. She then called me in tears so upset and frustrated because this is her 4 year old's first field trip and she can't enjoy it with him and she's sitting in a car with a 3 week old baby. I told her to go back up there and speak to a manager. She asked the same lady that refused to let her in and was extremely rude to her for the manager or information to contact her and she was told if she wanted the information she can go on the website and get it. Another younger worker heard it all and gave her the card and information and apologized to her for everything. Now we are calling to speak with someone while she is still there and can possibly get to her son before everything is over and all they have playing is a recording. I will never advise anyone to visit this pumpkin patch ever. They are insensitive and rude. Who sends a mother with a 3 week old baby to sit in a car for hours? The baby can't enjoy the storytelling, hayride, neither does she need a pumpkin. We went to Billy Bobs Pumpkin Patch in Sanger and the entire staff there was wonderful. I would suggest them if you are looking for a pumpkin patch with a wonderful staff. And they answer...

Horrible experience, years back I had a great time with my little ones but went today and it is not easy terrain with strollers for single parent with little ones. The customer service was also saddening that they don't care and only seem to worry about getting cars in. I hurt my ankle and knee trying to get up the steep hill and with no assistance did any employee there who saw me offered to help me while I struggled crying in pain trying to walk to my car long way out with my 11 month in a stroller and 7 year old boy. A nice couple with kids on their way out asked employees to help me maybe give me a ride to my car, which would have been easy for them if they cared seeing that they had golf cars, but the employees they asked just shrugged their shoulders and basically said they didn't care and continued with their day. Mind you, I probably past 4 different employees on my attempt out. I will definitely not attend this pumpkin patch if they don't value customers. I also plan to talk to my Dr to see about my injury. They really need to post warning signs about the dangers of strollers as they have no signs or guides to show which paths are safe to go through. I saw other reviews and similar post of terrain. I am not big on posting reviews, but seems decent enough to warn others of what they should expect. I don't mind paying and the lines were ridiculous long, but that's part of most business. The only thing keeping me away is the service and lack of attention...