I started attending farm camp here at 6 years old, and now I am a counselor. It is a working farm, and it is home to sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, cows, cats, bees, and horses. Environmental stewardship is ingrained into the farm’s curriculum throughout the year, whether that be in mommy&me classes, workshops, or during camp.
Prior to the pandemic, the farm would have at least one guest speaker each week of camp. Oftentimes, wild animal rescue & rehabilitation programs would visit along with Native American representatives from local tribes and historians to show us the ecological, cultural, and historical value of the land on which we conducted our activities.
The farm is in a continuous loop of reciprocity. The animals that feed off of the weeds that are picked from the gardens provide manure for the next year’s crops. All of the money made on farm activities and produce was re-invested into the animals. Food scraps from camp were always chucked into the chicken pen or in with the pigs. The goats were only milked when they had kids, and the milk was generally just used as a supplement with feed once the kids were a few months old.
The farm does a maple festival every year during which crowds come in to learn about the history of maple syrup making, the process of tapping trees, and the process of making the actual syrup. Other festivals highlight local bands, artisans, and other small businesses while giving children and adults alike the opportunity to safely interact with the animals we rely so much on.
Growing up on this farm and getting the chance to watch other campers grow up along with me is an unparalleled experience that I will forever treasure. It is a family-run farm, and one of sons of the owners (my direct boss) started a family of his own a few years ago. His oldest is the age I was when I started camp.
This is where my passion for the environment started, and it will forever be near and dear to my heart.
p.s. young camper love stories keep me going when the days get boring so I included a few pics of that too.
