With great hesitation, we have decided to discontinue our camp program for 2010. In order for the program to continue, a large capital investment would need to be made to improve indoor infrastructure to safely and legally accomodate the campers during inclement weather. After long hours of conversation, we have come to the place of realizing this capital investment does not make sense for the farm at this time. We have enjoyed the companionship and enthusiams of your children over the years and will miss their presence in the summer. Please feel free to drop by anytime to wander around, hike the new trail with a great little bridge that crosses the stream, and visit the lambs as they are born this spring.
Warm regards,
Stacy and John
Farm Camp -- Everyone has a farmer inside them!
Our mission is to expose 4- to 15-year-old children to where their food comes from and to educate them about sustainable living and farm ecology. Kids are taught the principles of animal welfare and organic gardening, and experience the satisfaction of good work for good food. Farm Camp nurtures children's natural inclination to connect with nature, the outdoors, animals and all living things. Through creative play and exploration, we want children to develop a knowledge, love and respect for locally produced food from small farms. Farm campers are the next generation of consumers and farmers; we want them to be inspired. We want to share the gifts of open space with the children of the community that made the preservation of this farm possible.
The Farm Camp Program allows campers to experience all the workings of a small, organic, diversified farm. They learn how a seed can sprout and grow into a nutritious and delicious vegetable. They learn the basic needs of raising their own ducklings and chicks and get to watch them grow over the course of the summer. Pigs, lambs, rabbits, turkeys and laying hens are all part of a camper’s experience at the farm. Campers will participate in farm chores such as weeding, picking potato bugs, collecting eggs, feeding the pigs, and planting seedlings. Age-specific groups will take walks in the woods, learn about farm and forest ecology, collect salamanders and frogs, do craft projects with farm goods such as wool, eggs and super large zucchinis, and learn how good local, organic farm-raised food can be through simple cooking projects. Campers play and read and dig in the dirt and come home asking for snap peas and carrots for dinner. Each season, campers are responsible for raising a small flock of chicks and ducklings. They also participate in the care of the farms other resident livestock: pigs, turkeys, lambs, and the two dairy cows.
Farm Camp is directed by Stacy Brenner, who has been a farmer for 7 seasons and a mother for 12 years. Stacy helped create and develop Farm Camp at Turkey Hill Community Farm in Cape Elizabeth , the community farm she and her husband, John, started in 2004 prior to moving to Scarborough in 2006. Every year, she is accompanied by a talented staff of college-aged counselors who have a variety of backgrounds in social work, environmental education and early childhood work. Each counselor also comes with a working knowledge of sustainable farming practices and a philosophy consistent with our camp mission. In addition to working with the children, the counselors are doing farm work and are well immersed in the cycles of the season at Broadturn Farm.
Each week concludes with a family and friends gathering Friday afternoon to enjoy a taste of simple, delicious garden food prepared by the children. The campers will display their art and share their knowledge of farming and foods with a gallery display of camper art and a performance. These Friday gatherings are a great way to meet other families, tour the farm with the best guide available-- your child-- and watch campers delight in bringing food from the garden to the plate. We encourage families to take time to explore the woods, streams and farm operation. And of course…a moment to dip your toes into the icy waters of Fogg Brook after a long week at work….a farmer favorite!
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AN EDUCATIONAL SUMMER DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN AGES 4-15
PROGRAMMING
4 to 5-year-old half-day program-- $100/week
Broadturn Farm Camp will be offering a half day program for 4-5 year old children this summer. From 9AM-12AM, these little ones will join us for farm fun. Campers sign up for one week at a time. There are 8 weeks to choose from.
6-10 year old all day program- $185/week
This is the bulk of the programming here at Broadturn Farm Camp. These campers will join us from 9AM-3PM. There are 8 weeks to choose from and campers will sign up for one week at a time. We encourage families not to sign up for more than 3 weeks per summer as to allow for as many children as possible to have an opportunity to experience at least one week at Broadturn Farm Camp.
Camp 2009
All weeks are full for Junior Counselors!
Week 1 ----- June 22-26----------Closed for half day
Week 2 ----- June 29-July3------OPEN
Week 3 ----- July 6-10------------OPEN
Week 4 ----- July 13-17----------Closed for both
Week 5 ----- July 20-24----------Closed for half day
Week 6 ----- July 27-31----------Closed for both
Week 7 ----- August 3-7---------Closed for both
Week 8 ----- August 10-14------Closed for half day
½ day programming is from 9-12, M-F for 4-5 year old children
All day programming is from 9-3, M-F for 6-10 year old children
Precare and Aftercare are available at an additional cost. Please call or email in advance to arrange for Precare and/or Aftercare.
Cost
½ day programming: $100/week
All day programming: $185/week
Junior Counselors: Strictly volunteers!
If we are notified of a cancellation prior to May 25 th, we will issue a refund, less $25 processing fee.
Precare (from 8 am) or aftercare (till 5): $5 per hour. We need advanced notice to staff for Precare and Aftercare programming.
Please contact Stacy Brenner for additional information. . Please send a check within 10 days of filling out the form. Please also send copy of the camper's immunization record before their first day of camp.
JUNIOR COUNSELORS
All weeks are full for Junior Counselors!
Junior Counselors are a strong component of the day to day functions of Farm Camp. These 12-15 year old volunteers offer their time and service as counselors in exchange for an opportunity to learn about early childhood education and sustainable farming. This is a volunteer position. If you are interested in becoming a Junior Counselor, complete the Camp registration form and indicate which week(s) you would like to join us. In mid June, prior to the start of camp, we will schedule a 1/2 day orientation with a farm and woods tour and some training to prepare you for your role. We conclude the season for the Junior Counselors with a pizza party as a thank you and a celebration of summer's end. This is a great opportunity to build relationships, learn to work as a team and remember about how fun it is to be a kid catching frogs instead of clicking your mouse.
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