The children came here because their parents had signed them up for Farm Explorers' One-Day Camp, a camp designed to allow children to get a glimpse of farm life, plus learn why animals are happier and healthier when they live outside in the fresh air and sunshine.
10:00 -- Orientation
After checking in, the group gathered under the canopy and began working on an activity packet that included coloring pages of the animals they would see later in the day. At the sound of the cow bell (what else?) we started with a prayer, an explanation of the day's plan, and, most importantly, a discussion about how to stay safe around the farm.
10:15 -- Morning Activities
The children were divided into two groups and rotated through two learning stations. At the Chick Station, Group 1 learned all about the one week old chicks growing in the granary of the big barn.
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| The Chick Station (It was 90 degrees in there! But that's how the chicks like it.) |
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| Gently playing with baby chicks |
At the Pasture Station, Group 2 learned about the animals we raise on the pasture: broiler chickens, cattle, and sheep.
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| The Pasture Station |
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| Learning about the origins of grass-fed beef |
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| Meeting our pasture-raised chickens |
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| Feeding the hogs broccoli from our garden while waiting for the lunch bell |
12:00 -- Lunchtime!
The sound of the cow bell called everyone to the canopy for lunch. Plenty of shade and ice water made a wonderful combination! A little free time after lunch gave the kids time to pet the farm dog, cats, and rabbit. The more "mechanically-inclined" enjoyed riding on the parked tractor, skid steer, and riding lawn mower.
12:30 -- Afternoon Activities
In the second half of the day, we offered two more learning stations for the children. The Egg Station involved collecting eggs from the chickens' nest boxes, washing and drying them, and then packing the eggs into a mini-carton to take home.
The Garden Station gave the kids a tour of the 1.2-acre fruit orchard and vegetable garden. The children were happy to identify plants like corn and pumpkin, and learn about others like grape vines and potato plants. Then the kids got to harvest a basket-full of sugar snap peas to take home with them.
2:00 -- Dismissal
While our main goal in hosting this camp was to educate the kids about why we do the things we do, we also had, at the forefront, a desire for the kids to have a lot of fun. While it was obvious that the children had a good time (one little boy even said, "That was more fun than I expected!"), I think the adults may have enjoyed the camp even more than the campers.
We have to make many decisions on our farm; we always make those decisions with an eye towards those who will be eating the foods that we produce. There is something special about seeing firsthand the children who are benefiting from those decisions that we are making. Fifteen happy, healthy children enjoying the safe, chemical-free farm we have worked hard to create--it was a beautiful sight to see.
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| The tractor, Old Red, carries the happy campers during the group photo. |
Thanks for a great Farm Camp, everyone!
We hope to see you again next year.
