When One Week of Farm Camp Turns Into Three

Every summer there are certain little moments that stick with us long after Farm Camp is over. Sometimes it’s something a camper says. Sometimes it’s watching a child try something they were nervous about. Sometimes it’s seeing a new friendship form somewhere between feeding animals and making crafts. And sometimes, it’s a mom registering her child for two more weeks of Farm Camp before the first day is even over.

That happened this summer.

One of our campers arrived for Week 1 having never attended camp before. Her family wasn’t quite sure what to expect and if she'd enjoy it. They hoped she would have fun, learn a little about farming, spend some time outside and have a good first camp experience, and I think those hopes were met and surpassed!

Before that very first day was even over, her mom asked if we had availability during any of our other weeks.

Week 2 was already full. But Weeks 3 and 4 still had a few spots, so she signed her up for both!

Every day, this little one was exhausted but not at all ready to go home.

For us, that is one of the greatest compliments Farm Camp can receive.

Because while we spend months planning lessons, scheduling visiting farmers, organizing supplies, preparing activities and training staff, our biggest goal has never been simply to fill a schedule.

We want children to love being here.

We want them to feel known.

We want them to feel safe enough to try something new.

We want them to get dirty, ask questions, make friends, laugh, sing, explore and discover that learning can happen while standing in a pasture, walking through a forest, visiting the greenhouse or caring for an animal.

Most of all, we want them to leave knowing they mattered while they were here.

Her mom later shared this review:

“Farm Camp was even better than we imagined! The location, staff and developmentally appropriate curriculum was AMAZING. There were so many kids and each one was greeted by name every morning. My child who had never experienced camp before couldn’t wait to go back each day and didn’t want camp to end. After the first day, I asked about availability for more weeks and signed her up for 2 more weeks where she will learn even more about farming. She came home talking about her friends, singing songs, saying words of affirmation and telling me about what she learned each day. The staff also sends an email letting you know what the focus was for the day so you can ask more specifically about their experiences when they get home. She had the best time. I will definitely be signing her up again next summer. Thank you to everyone who loved on us (kids and families) and poured into our children during Farm Camp. We love you and appreciate you more than you know!!!”

Of course, we love hearing that campers go home talking about what they learned. Farm Camp is filled with opportunities to learn about agriculture, animals, food, nature and the work that happens on a real, working farm. But tucked into all of those lessons are some other pretty important things.

Friendship.

Inclusion.

Confidence.

Independence.

Kindness.

Curiosity.

Encouragement.

Acceptance.

This review mentioned something in her review that means a great deal to us: that her child came home repeating affirmations! That may seem like a small thing, but it most certainly isn't!

Every day we close out camp with 4 affirmations:

I AM SMART!

I AM STRONG!

I AM CARING!

I AM LOVED!

And honestly, these are more important than anything a camper can learn about agriculture! It's not about what they learn, but about how they feel when they're here! Those affirmation are what we want each camper to cary with them as they leave the farm, finish out their summer, and start a new school year!

Now we know every camper won't sign up for another two weeks before lunchtime on Day 1, but we hope every child leaves Farm Camp with something.

Maybe they discover they love chickens.

Maybe they finally get brave enough to touch an animal they were nervous around.

Maybe they learn where their food comes from.

Maybe they meet a friend they never would have met otherwise.

Maybe they spend four mornings getting gloriously dirty and come home completely exhausted.

Or maybe Farm Camp becomes one of those places they ask to return to again and again.

A place they know they are loved, cared for, and celebrated!

This little camper came to Bowers Farm for Week 1 expecting one week of summer camp. She ended up spending three of her summer weeks with us. And getting to watch her excitement, hear that she didn't want to leave, and welcome her back again later in the summer was pretty special.

Stories like hers are exactly why we keep doing this year after year. Because somewhere between the animals, the songs, the muddy shoes, the lessons and the friendships, something much bigger than “camp” can happen.

A child can find a place they absolutely love to be.

And we can't think of a better way to spend a summer.