Program Calendar — Summer Camp FAQ

There are two programs that run each week during the summer. One is for children ages 5-14 (full day) and one is for children ages 4-5 (half day). In each camp session, children team up with their peers to care for the livestock, and they plant, cultivate and harvest produce from the gardens.

Group activities offer farm related activities in literacy, math, art, music and games. Children who are involved in the full-day program choose electives that include running the farmers market stand, cooking, arts and crafts, chores and more. Please feel free to call us at 508-627-7007 if you need more information.

We hope to see you this summer at the FARM Institute.

1. Is each week of camp the same program, or do they differ from week to week? My question really is how many weeks should/can my child do it in a row?
2. I can’t decide whether to sign my five year old for the half day or full day.
3. Can you please tell me when the camp starts and ends and how we can register for camp this summer?
4. What is a typical day?
5. Does my child stay clean while at camp?
6. What is Friday Family Time?
7. My child is shy; can I still send them to camp?
8. How do I prepare for a week of camp?

1. Is each week of camp the same program, or do they differ from week to week? My question really is how many weeks should/can my child do it in a row?

Although the format and structure of camp remains the same from week to week, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, meet new friends, and participate in different activities. For those children attending camp for more then one week, they have the opportunity to further explore and build upon what they have already learned and experienced. Some families keep their kids in consecutive weeks...some split their time...two weeks here...another week there.

There are families that have signed up their children for most of the summer with a break or two in between. It really depends on your schedule and what works best for your family.

2. I can’t decide whether to sign my five year old for the half day or full day.

Your child must be the age of five before the week he or she has signed up for. The decision to send your child to either a full day of camp or full day is entirely up to you. However, please be aware that spending all day outdoors is not the same as being inside a classroom. Although we have classroom and barn and shaded areas to escape the sun, being outdoors can be tiring for some.

One of our main concerns is to provide a safe environment for your children. We want our campers to come to the farm in order to enjoy themselves. However, for some five year olds the full day is too long and is best suited to stay in the half day program. Five year olds who have signed up for the full day will be placed in age appropriate activities in the afternoon from working in the garden, cooking, arts and crafts, etc. You know your child best and we will respect your decision, but if we feel that the day is indeed too long, we will need to make changes.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to write or call us.

3. Can you please tell me when the camp starts and ends and how we can register for camp this summer?

Please review page 5 of our Summer Program brochure for up-to-date information.

4. What is a typical day?

A typical day involves working with animals (morning chores) — feeding the cows, sheep, milking the goat, collecting eggs, etc... working in the garden... then comes a
morning lesson on plants, animals, land, etc... Then lunch (campers need to bring their own lunch and water). Finally in the afternoons campers can choose what activity they want to participate in ranging from arts and crafts, to cooking, to field chores to photography and working with animals in the afternoon.

Below is a breakdown on focus points for the different age groups:

Ages 4 & 5
These little ones spend two and a half hours on the farm with us each day. They interact with the farm animals, with a special emphasis on lambs, calves, piglets and chicks. Side-by-side, Sprouts also work with the farmers in the garden to learn about plants and veggies. Plenty of farm-related art projects along with story time, songs and creative play keep them engaged throughout the week.

Ages 6 & 7
The children in this age group join the farmers in both the garden and the pasture every morning. Working in small groups each Seedling has the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the farm. They will spend time nurturing our cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens along with many other animals found on the farm. They discover the joy of growing and harvesting food from the garden while they work with the farmers. Farm-related art projects, creative play, story time and working on our journals are a dynamic part of the week.

Ages 8 & 9
The youngsters in this age group work as a team to assist the farmers with their morning chores in the pastures and gardens. Each Harvester has the opportunity to explore a wide variety of farm activities and interact with our cattle, flocks of sheep, goats, pigs and chickens, as well as, learn to grow, harvest & prepare food. From garden to our new kitchen, these students begin to understand the connections between the land and the table as they prepare afternoon snacks and food to share with their fellow campers. Art, music and journaling round out their daily routine.

Ages 10—14
These older students delve deeper into the inner workings of the farm. Working as a team in conjunction with TFI staff, Farm Hands have specific tasks and goals to achieve. This age group takes on more responsibility for daily feedings and supports the farmers tending our diverse selection of livestock. Learning about growing food by spending time planting, nurturing and harvesting in the garden is further expanded upon at our farm stand where the student experience the full cycle of food from farm to the table. Most importantly, acting as mentors, Farm Hands have the opportunity to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with the younger campers assisting with art, music and journaling projects as well in the kitchen and the garden.

5. Does my child stay clean while at camp?

Absolutely not! We all get dirty having fun. However we do wash our hands in the several hand washing stations throughout the farms after working with animals or in the garden or anything else that gets us dirty.

6. What is Friday Family Time?

This happens every Friday at 2 pm. The purpose of the Friday Family Time is a way for the camp children to showcase their projects of the week and share with their families what they are excited about. This is a crucial component of the farm experience and we highly encourage you to participate. You will have the opportunity to hear, touch and see what your child has been doing while on the farm. This is an exciting moment where families come together to share the farm and enjoy the children's accomplishments. After presentations, students will have the opportunity to lead their families on a farm tour.

7. My child is shy; can I still send them to camp?

Our teacher/farmers work very hard to ensure that time spent on the farm is not only engaging, but empowering. Being surrounded by nature, animals, gardens and other friendly faces provides a safe environment to support any child to grow.

8. How do I prepare for a week of camp?

Camp schedules will be released this winter.

For further details about our camp program and how to prepare for a week of camp, please review our 2008 Parent Packet: [Word doc] [PDF]

The FARM Institute - Post Office Box 1868 - Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539 - (508) 627-7007