In 1963, Jim Fraser (Farmer Don's father and Farmer Aaron's grandfather) purchased the land in Canton for the summer camp program.

​

After Jim's passing in 1986, Don and Mary Ann Fraser took over the Real Life Day Camp and Farm, operating school field trips, hayride parties, and the summer day camp.

 

For quite some time our family felt the need to expand our business to a year-round school. The surrounding development and access to sewer and water hookups made this dream a possibility. Ground was broken at the front of the farm property for the new Real Life Nursery School & Kindergarten in 2001.

 

Don and Mary Ann Fraser envisioned a state of the art facility that puts children and their families first, and the architects and builders made it a reality. The school opened on July 15, 2002, and was an immediate success as families throughout the Canton area recognized the value of our programs, facilities, unique outdoor experiences, and quality staff for their children's physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual, and social development.

​

For years, our waiting list was so long that we realized we needed to add onto our school. In 2008, the second building was added, allowing for 4 more classrooms and an even larger activity area in the lower level.