If you know of a farm summer camp being held this summer (2010) in Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin county that is not listed here, please let us know.

Local Hero Member Farm Summer Camps: 

Little Brook Farm Camp

Sunderland, MA
Ages: 6-12
Dates: July 12th-July 16th and July 19th-July 23rd, 9am-3pm
Contact: Kristen Whittle, 413-665-3802 or email.

Little Brook Farm Camp is a children's educational program that takes place on a small family farm in Sunderland. The farm owner and camp director is a DOE certified educator and Registered Nurse. Children at camp will have the opportunity to learn about livestock and sustainable agriculture.Campers start each day by helping with morning chores, such as collecting eggs or milking the goats. By keeping the numbers small we are able to give each child the opportunity to learn how to handle different types of livestock safely. Children learn how to interact and relate to the animals, developing trust and their own self confidence. Some days we may visit other farms in the area or take a break and head for tri-town beach. We combine farming, learning and fun in an exciting hands-on format. Camp fees are $225/week. Sign up early as space is limited. Registration form available online or by email.

Farm Camps at Open View Farm

Conway, MA
Contact: Emmy Howe at 413-369-0240
Open View Farm is a small family farm surrounded by forest.  We offer programs and events for people of all ages throughout the year.

August 4: Farm and Forest Program for Young People ages 9-14: Paul Wanta will lead young people in an exploration of the forest behind Open View Farm. Participants will be involved in farm work, tracking, shelter building, storytelling, fire starting and forest craft activities. $100 - $450- sliding scale.

Farm and Forest Crafts for Young People ages 9-14: Participants will be involved in farm work, animal care, gardening, forest walks, woodwork, basket making, weaving, and campfires. Dates TBA. $100 - $450 - sliding scale.

Multigenerational Basket Making: Join us at Open View Farm for a weekend of simple basket making and farm life. This is a wonderful shared experience for young people ages 9 -14 and a parent, guardian or other special adult. Dates TBA

Multi Generational Farm And Forest Weekend Overnight: Paul Wanta will lead an exploration of the forest behind Open View Farm for parents, kids 9-14, and friends. Participants will be involved in tracking, shelter building, fire starting, story telling, stargazing and forest craft activities. Dates TBA $70 per person for the weekend- sliding scale available.

Summer on the Farm at Red Gate Farm

Buckland, MA
Ages: 4-6 and 7-12
Dates: Five sessions throughout June and July, see website for details.
Contact: Red Gate Farm Office, 413-625-9503

Farm Summer Camp at Red Gate Farm is a special opportunity for children to have fun and learn about farms and nature. With a maximum group size of twelve students, each child gets unique and individual attention.  Our small groups provide great opportunities for campers to work closely with farm animals, explore exciting natural habitats, and make new best friends.  Whether sitting in the shade of a big barn or helping to herd sheep into a new pasture, Summer on the Farm is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Seedlings Summer Camp at Small Ones Farm

Amherst, MA
Ages: 5-6
Dates: August 2nd-August 6th and August 9th-August 13th, morning or afternoon sessions
Contact: Email 

Here is an opportunity for your child to have fun on our real, working farm. This August, we will offer our Seedlings program (5-6 year olds) at Small Ones Farm in Amherst. Alongside our experienced teachers and farm staff, Seedlings assist with fun farm chores by feeding the chickens, picking up apple drops for the pig, and rotating the sheep in the pasture. Seedlings learn about nature and explore their imaginations by working in the children's garden, harvesting fruit and vegetables, and hiking our farm trail. Children make their own creations using natural materials, including clay they have harvested from our stream bed. Seedlings make delicious treats with our naturally grown fruits, and enjoy a visit each week from a local scientist. Whether they are following a butterfly, singing a song, or digging in the garden, Seedlings have a wonderful time on our farm!

Winterberry Farm Camp

Leverett, MA
Ages: Programs vary
Dates: Programs of varying length run throughout the spring and summer, check the website for more details.
Contact: Jill Horton-Lyons or Jim Lyons, 413-548-3940

We are a small family farm raising primarily livestock- sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese and angora rabbits.  For over 15 years we've been offering lots of small & lively programs for kids, adults and families. Listed below are a sample of the upcoming longer programs just for kids.

April 19-23: Sheep Week for Kids
The ewes will have lambed (at least 95% of them)...so this is the week we celebrate sheep. Each child takes care of a ewe and her lamb/s all week, weighing and measuring and just hanging out. We'll watch our "sheep's home birth videos", and learn about feeding and care. We'll wash wool, dye and spin it into yarn. We'll weave on small looms. We'll watch border collies herding sheep and we'll put up an electric fence. We'll even taste some sheep milk cheeses! Limited to 8 kids. $290 per child.

June 14-18: Farm Sampler
Come for a day or all week! Summer schedules vary a lot so this is our free-standing week. Animal chores every day and a project every day, but we'll decide together each morning whether we'll build, cook, garden or maybe hike. This is also open to older kids- it's our chance to spend some time with our older friends. Limited to 8 kids who've finished 4th through 9th grades $290 for the week or $65 per day.

June 21-25: All the Good Stuff that Comes from a Farm
Sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, pigs- every day is chore day and kids do it all! Then there's the garden and then each day we'll make something both useful and beautiful. We'll build something to take home and work on an animal shelter for the farm. We'll cook, dig in the dirt and go for walks. We'll spin and weave and listen to stories and farm songs. Limited to 8 kids. $290 for the week.

June 28-July 2 and July 5-9: Kids' Fiber Intensive
Two whole weeks to really have time to make different kinds of cloth. We'll spin (on hooks, drop spindles and wheels), and we'll weave on small and large looms. We'll dye some fibers before spinning, and then some yarn. We'll make felt hats or bags, and maybe weave a felt mat. And each child will weave a project of their own design, even warping their loom. And of course we'll spend time with the plants and animals whose fibers we're using. Breaks will include hikes, music and stories. Limited to 6 kids (5th through 9th grade) who really want to make cloth, $600 per child.

Winterberry Farm is offering many more sessions throughout the summer. Click here to learn more.

Non-Local Hero Member Farm Summer Camps:

Farm and Garden Camp at Hampshire College

South Amherst, MA

At camp, children will care for the animals and plants that feed, clothe and nourish all of us. Sessions begin July 12th for 4 through 10 year olds. Contact Hope for more information.

 

Hartsbrook School Farm Camp

Hadley, MA

At Farm Camp children experience the importance of animals through hands-on activities such as milking, grooming, feeding and egg gathering. Campers also learn a variety of agricultural crafts that highlight life on the farm such as bread-baking, cheese-making, basket-making, weaving, bee-keeping, and broom-making. An active, busy day is balanced out with storytime, journaling, and play. During the spring and winter school vacations the camp offers week-long program for children 6-12 years of age. During the summer vacation, the camp offers programs for children 4.5-12 years of age.