How is Farmers Rising different from other kids’ camps?

• We engage the whole child in the life of our farm: we engage hands with meaningful work; we engage the head through stories and inquiry-based lessons; and the heart through relationships with animals, plants and the natural world.
• Campers learn where food comes from through hands-on experiences with our organic farm. Kids are not only encouraged to try fresh, healthy foods, but to consider the impact their food choices have on the environment.
• Each day is designed to balance time for free play and exploration with time for structured, age-appropriate activities. This balance provides campers with opportunities to develop creativity, curiosity, and independence.
• Campers build respectful, caring relationships with animals - including our worms, bees, chickens, ducks, pigs, and goats - as well as each other. With this in mind, activities are designed to emphasize cooperation and team-building rather than competition.

What will my child do during Farmers Rising day camp?

Milk goats, hold chickens, harvest tomatoes, hike to the creek, play pig trivia, create a veggie sculpture, bake pizza in a cob oven: these are some of the things you might find your child doing at day camp. Activities vary according to the week, but each day has a similar schedule, which includes opening and closing circles and animal chores. The following is an example of a typical day camp schedule:

• 8:45 to 9:00 am: Check-in time
• 9:00-9:30 am: Opening circle, including warm-up activities and a review of the day's schedule
• 9:30-10:00am: Animal chores 
• 10:00-10:30am: Snack break and free time
• 10:30-12:00pm: Morning activity session, varies depending on theme for the week
• 12:00-1:00pm: Lunch and free play
• 1:00-2:15pm: Afternoon activity session 
• 2:15-2:45pm: Animal chores
• 2:45pm-3:00pm: Closing Circle, including time for reflection on the day and reminders for tomorrow
• 2:55-3:05pm: Check-out time

When are camps available?

Day and Overnight Camps are available between June and August each year.

How long are summer day camps?

• Monday - Thursday | 8am - 3pm each day.

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Extended care is offered at an additional charge for day camps, from 7 - 8am and 3 - 4pm.

If I sign my child up for more than one week, will they learn different things?

Yes! While our basic schedule (including animal chores, breaks for snack and lunch, and opening and closing circle) stays the same each week, the core activities of camp vary depending on the weekly theme. Feel free to email [email protected] if you have questions about activities or themes.

What should we bring each day?

• Dress to get dirty!
• A hearty snack and a healthy, low-waste lunch
• Water bottle
• Close-toed shoes (no sandals!)
• Be prepared for the weather! Depending on the day, you might want: rubber boots and a rain jacket; long pants, long sleeves and insect repellent for hiking through the woods; a sun hat and sunscreen; and/or a swimsuit and towel for running through the sprinkler or playing in the creek.

What if my child has special needs (including food allergies)?

​Please let us know about special needs and dietary restrictions in advance by filling out the Allergies / Dietary Preferences / Medical & Accessibility Needs prompts during registration. 

If your child has special needs, you’re also welcome to contact us directly by calling 815-389-8455 or emailing [email protected] to discuss accommodations.

If your child has food allergies, please let us know in advance so we can make accommodations to cooking projects. However, our common cooking space and workshop area regularly processes eggs, goat's milk, and goat cheese, and there are no restrictions on other types of food prepared in the space.

Can't find the answers you're looking for? Email [email protected] or call 815-389-8455.