🌲 Thursday at Camp: Outdoor Adventures & Farm Fun!

Today at Farm Camp, we took our learning (and laughter) straight into the great outdoors! From building fires to painting rocks, it was a day full of creativity, problem-solving, and good old-fashioned adventure.

🔥 Outdoor Challenge Day: Fires, Forts & Friendship

Campers rotated through a variety of outdoor survival-style activities today—each one designed to build confidence, collaboration, and connection with nature:

🎨 Rock Painting: Campers used paint and imagination to decorate rocks that now dot our trails and garden beds with color and positivity.
Shelter Building: Using branches, tarps, rope, and teamwork, groups constructed natural hideouts—some cozy enough to hang out in!
🔥 Fire Building & Campfire Cooking: With guidance, campers practiced fire safety, built mini campfires, and cooked up simple snacks. (S’mores might’ve made an appearance… 😉)
🤝 Low Ropes Challenges: Through balance beams, trust walks, and team puzzles, campers worked together to navigate our low ropes course—cheering each other on with every step.
🏹Inflatable Archery: Campers took aim and let the arrows fly with our inflatable archery—because nothing says "farm fun" like shooting foam-tipped arrows at giant targets and feeling like a soft-core superhero! 🎯

The outdoor skills and teamwork we saw today were incredible—these kids are resourceful, brave, and ready for anything.

🐴 Rising Ranchers: Pony Rides Today, Horses Tomorrow!

Our Rising Ranchers group had a special treat: pony rides! They practiced mounting, balancing, and giving gentle cues—all while building trust with their gentle, four-legged partners. Check out their pictures on the smug mug photo page!

Tomorrow, it’s the Farm Camp kids’ turn to ride the big horses—a major highlight of the week!

🐐 Barnyard Buddies: Big Joy for Little Farmers

Our youngest campers had a day packed with play and discovery:

🌸 Picked flowers to fill their hand-decorated vases from earlier in the week
🐓 Helped with morning animal chores—feeding goats, brushing bunnies, and checking on chickens
🚜 Tractor ride + picnic lunch: Always a favorite, they rode through the farm fields and found the perfect shady spot for a picnic with their pals

The giggles, songs, and sticky fingers said it all—pure camp magic.

🐴 Horse Camp Highlights: Crafts & Confidence

Horse Campers had a creative and confidence-boosting day with:

🔨 Horseshoe decorating—turning real shoes into art with paint, gems, and twine as a special photo frame keep sake for them to share their horse camp memories forever!
🐎 Pony walks and riding practice, building up to tomorrow’s Horse Show!
🎯 Focused work on steering, posture, and communication with their horses—these riders are ready to shine.

FIT in Action: Makerspace Magic

Our Farmers in Training Team (FIT) was hard at work bringing their makerspace masterpieces to life. Projects included:

🥄 Hand-carved wooden spoons
🐦 Detailed birdhouses
🐴 Farm-inspired figures and custom creations

These pieces will be on display at tomorrow’s Farm Show—don’t miss them! The craftsmanship, creativity, and pride are so clear in every detail.

🎉 TOMORROW: Farm Show & Horse Show! Don’t Miss It!

📍 Friday Reminders:

🐴 Horse Camp Horse Show
🕜 1:30–2:30 PM — Come cheer on our incredible riders as they show off all they’ve learned in the arena!

🌾 Farm Camp Show & Project Showcase
🕒 Arrival at 3:00 PM | Show begins at 3:15 PM — Campers will share their favorite projects, perform songs, and guide families through all the magic they’ve helped create on the farm this week.

We can’t wait to celebrate all your campers’ hard work, growth, and joy tomorrow. It’s been a week to remember—and we’re not done yet!

— The Farm Camp Team

Ms. Lou!

🐣 Farm Camp Wednesday: Animal Science & Egg-speriments! 🐑🧪

Today at Farm Camp, we explored the incredible world of animal science—from chickens and sheep to horses and even worms! Campers spent the day asking questions, getting their hands busy, and diving into the science behind the animals that make our farm thrive.

🌞 Morning Chores: Hopping Into the Day!

We kicked off the day with fresh farm energy as campers rotated into new farm chore roles! Whether collecting eggs, watering the animals, sweeping the barn, or preparing feed, everyone stepped up with teamwork and care. It's amazing to see how quickly they’re becoming responsible young farmers.

🥚 Egg Drop STEM Challenge: The Ultimate Egg-speriment!

Then came a new favorite camp activity: the Egg Drop STEM Challenge! Campers were tasked with designing contraptions to protect an egg from a big fall—using only a variety of soft, absorbent, or creative materials.

This activity was bursting with:

Teamwork: Campers collaborated, planned, and revised their designs.
Joy: There were cheers for uncracked eggs and gasps for the messy splats!
Science: We explored impact force, cushioning, and real-world design concepts.

And yes, a few eggs didn’t make it… but that’s part of the fun!

🧪 Eggs + Vinegar = Chemistry in Action!

Our egg science didn’t stop there! We kicked off a longer experiment by placing whole eggs in vinegar to observe a fascinating chemical reaction.

🧠 What’s happening?

The eggshell is made of calcium carbonate.
When placed in vinegar (an acid), it reacts and starts to dissolve the shell, creating bubbles of carbon dioxide gas.
Over time, the egg becomes soft and bouncy—almost like rubber!

Campers made predictions, recorded observations, and will keep an eye on their eggs over the next day or two. It’s a “shell of a good time!”

🐑 Wool Science: From Fleece to Fun

FIT making friendships that stick together just like wool!

In the afternoon, we shifted our focus to the fluffy side of animal science: wool! Campers explored the texture of wool under magnifiers and learned how wool fibers are microscopically scaly, allowing them to bind together through friction and moisture—a process called felting.

✨ What we made:

Wool Bracelets: Rubbing and rolling colorful wool to create wearable art.
Baa-of-Soap: A bar of soap wrapped in felted wool—turning into a natural scrubby like a loofa!

We also talked about how sheep are sheared, how wool is cleaned and carded, and the many uses of this renewable animal fiber.

**FIT** 🐑🔬 **Up Close with Wool!** Campers got hands-on (and a little fuzzy!) while exploring the science of wool—feeling its texture, learning how it felts, and discovering the magic hidden in every fiber! 🧶✨

🐴 Horse Camp Round-Up

Our Horse Campers got even more ride time today! They spent extra time in the saddle practicing control, posture, and communication with their horses. From brushing and leading to learning new riding patterns, their confidence in the barn is really growing.

🐥 Barnyard Buddies: Little Farmers, Big Discoveries

Our youngest campers had a busy and joyful day exploring the animal world in their own way!

Here’s what they got up to:

🎨 Made binoculars for tomorrow’s flower hunt
Dug into the worm bin and learned how worms help feed the soil
🦌 Touched and explored deer antlers, learning about how they grow and shed
🌸 Created mini flower vases to collect treasures during tomorrow’s nature walk

Everything was hands-on, sensory-rich, and perfect for little learners.

FIT Team: Woodworking with Farmer Ken

Our Farm Internship Team (FIT) rolled up their sleeves for a special skill-building session with Farmer Ken in the woodworking shed!

Under his guidance, they explored:

Shaping and sanding wooden spoons
Crafting bird houses and other farm-inspired figures
Using hand tools safely and respectfully
Connecting craftsmanship with patience and focus

These projects require precision and care, and the FIT crew handled it beautifully. We can’t wait to see their finished creations later this week!

💡 Today’s Takeaways:

Eggs aren’t just food—they’re chemistry!
Wool has science and style
Every chore helps make the farm a better place
Animal science is all around us—from hooves to horns, feathers to fleece

Thank you for sharing your curious, kind, and creative campers with us! We can’t wait for tomorrow’s flower hunt, more riding, our adventure day exploring our forest from cooking over a open fire making smores to inflatable archery and of course—checking in on those vinegar eggs!

🐔
— The Farm Camp Team

Day 2: July 8th. Dirt, Worms, and Wildflower Wishes! 🌱

Today at Farm Camp, we really dug in—literally! From our silly morning singalong to getting our hands dirty in the greenhouse, it was a full day of learning, laughter, and soil science.

🌞 Starting the Day with… Herman the Worm?!

The sun was shining, the chickens were clucking, and campers bounced into the day with energy to spare. We kicked things off with our favorite very scientific greeting ritual: singing “Herman the Worm”—complete with wiggly dance moves, sound effects, and lots of giggles. It's the perfect goofy start that gets everyone smiling and moving (and possibly wondering how many watermelons a worm can eat).

🧹 Morning Chores: Real Farmhands in Action

Rising Ranchers start their morning in the lower barn helping out with morning chores!

Before diving into activities, we took time to care for the land that feeds us. Campers pitched in on their morning farm chores—watering plants, checking on compost bins, collecting eggs, and even feeding some very vocal goats. Chores are a chance to connect with the rhythms of the farm and see how every small job contributes to the health of the ecosystem.

🌱 Soil Science & Seed Ball Fun in the Greenhouse

Then it was off to the greenhouse, where today’s big theme was soil science. Campers learned that soil isn’t just "dirt"—it’s a living, breathing world filled with nutrients, microbes, minerals, and even tiny creatures that help plants grow. We talked about why healthy soil matters, how compost adds nutrients, and what different types of soil feel like in our hands.

The highlight? Making wildflower seed balls! Using clay, compost, and native wildflower seeds, campers shaped their own seed bombs—little round bundles of future beauty. These are now ready to take home and plant in the perfect spot at home, perfect for attracting pollinators and bringing bursts of color to bare spaces.

🐝 Pollinator Power!

Speaking of pollinators, we also explored the world of bees and butterflies. Campers learned how these incredible creatures move pollen from flower to flower, helping plants grow fruits and seeds.

Through games, crafts, and a flower anatomy demo, we explored:

Why bees are fuzzy on purpose
How butterflies “taste” with their feet
The difference between nectar and pollen
What we can plant to support pollinators at home

🌿 Planting Microgreens – Coming Home Today!

Once upon a time, in the middle of a sun-drenched farm full of noisy goats, fluffy chickens, and fields swaying in the wind, a group of curious campers gathered around a table filled with soil trays, seeds, and spray bottles.

"Did you know," one camper asked, "that these tiny seeds can grow into food in just a week?"

Farmer Caroline smiled and nodded. "That’s the magic of microgreens—they grow fast, they’re packed with nutrients, and they teach us a lot about how plants grow. Plus, chefs LOVE them!"

So, with sleeves rolled up and minds full of wonder, we dove into the science and agriculture behind these tiny greens.

In the afternoon, campers planted their very own trays of microgreens—tiny but mighty greens that grow fast and are packed with nutrients. Each camper chose their seed (radish, broccoli, sunflower, or pea) and planted them carefully in their carefully decorated clay pots. These microgreens are coming home today, so families:
👉 Keep them near a sunny window, water gently with a spray bottle, and watch them grow!
In just a week or so, they’ll be ready to harvest and taste. Bringing a little bit of the tasty farm home with you!

🐛 Exploring the Worm Bin: Compost Heroes in Action

Next stop: the worm bin, where things got squirmy in the best way! Campers opened up our composting worm bin and discovered the secret life of red wigglers—the farm's tiny recyclers.

We learned:

How worms break down food scraps into rich, fertile compost called vermicompost
What worms like to eat (spoiler: no citrus or onions!)
How their castings (yes, worm poop!) add vital nutrients to soil

Campers got to gently handle a worm or two, and see firsthand how decomposition works. The excitement was real—there were “oohs,” “ahhs,” and a few “ewws,” but tons of curiosity!

🧤 Helping Hands in the Production Garden

To wrap up the day, we headed to the production garden, where real food for the community is grown. Campers weeded, mulched, and helped stake tomato plants—gaining hands-on experience with teamwork and the responsibilities of food production.

It’s hard work, but there’s nothing like the feeling of seeing something grow because you helped make it happen.

💚 Today’s Takeaways:

Soil is alive—and it’s magical!
Wildflowers and pollinators are best friends
Microgreens are small but mighty
Worm songs are 100% essential to learning

We’re proud of how much these young farmers accomplished today and can’t wait to see how their microgreens grow. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s adventures—we’ve got more planting, nature walks, and tasty garden treats in store!

Until then, keep those hands dirty and hearts full.

🐥 Barnyard Buddies: I Spy with My Little Eye…

Our youngest campers in the Barnyard Buddies group had their own mini adventure today! They made "I Spy Finders"—personalized handheld windows to help them look closely at the world around them.

Armed with their finders, they explored the farm on a guided nature walk, spotting:

Ladybugs on sunflowers
Feathers in the chicken coop
Tiny mushrooms under the trees
Caterpillars inching along the garden beds

This quiet and curious exploration helped them practice observation skills, connect with nature at their own pace, and discover that sometimes, magic is in the tiniest things.

🐴 Tuesday Horse Camp Highlights: Cool Treats & Cracked Eggs! 🍎🥕

Today at Horse Camp, we mixed creativity with science—and a little bit of kitchen fun! From chilly snacks to helmet safety, our campers learned how to care for our four-legged friends while exploring hands-on STEM concepts.

🍧 Frozen Horse Treats: Farm-to-Freezer Fun

We started the morning with some culinary creativity—for horses! Campers whipped up frozen horse treats using horse-safe ingredients like apples and molasses. They filled molds with their delicious mixtures, then added water to freeze everything into cool, refreshing snacks.

These treats are now tucked away in the freezer and will be fed to the horses later this week—just in time to help them beat the summer heat!

The best part? Campers learned about:

Horse-safe foods vs. what not to feed (like chocolate or onions!)
How treats can be used for positive reinforcement and bonding
Why hydration and cooling are important for animals in hot weather

STEM Spotlight: Helmet Safety & The Great Egg Drop

Next, we shifted gears from the barn to the science zone with a special STEM challenge all about helmet safety. Since riding safety starts with a well-fitted helmet, we asked the big question:
What happens to your head in a fall... and how can we protect it?

Cue the egg drop experiment!

Campers were given eggs (our stand-in “skulls”) and a variety of materials like cotton balls, bubble wrap, paper, foam, and cardboard. Their mission: Design a helmet that protects their egg from a drop!

We talked about:

The science of impact and force
How helmets absorb energy to protect the brain
Why fit and material matter

Then came the moment of truth—drop time! Some eggs survived with flying colors, while a few had a scrambled ending... but every camper learned something valuable about engineering, design, and safety.

🐎 What’s Next?

Later this week, campers will:

Feed their frozen horse treats to their assigned horses
Practice grooming and tacking up
More ride time each day
Continue learning about horse care, behavior, and stable routines
Farm Horse Show 1:15-2:15pm on Friday

💡 Today’s Takeaways:

Horses love snacks too—but only the right kind!
Helmets are more than just gear—they’re science at work
A little creativity and teamwork can protect even the most delicate "egg heads"

We're proud of how thoughtful and engaged our horse campers were today—from designing snack time for their horses to designing safety systems for themselves.

Stay tuned for more adventures coming soon!🐴

💚 Teen Steward Spotlight: Creative Talent on the Farm

Our Teen Stewards continue to amaze us with their leadership, kindness, and creativity! Between helping guide campers, prepping supplies, and jumping in wherever needed, they still find time to express themselves.

🎨 Check out this awesome doodle from our Green Pepper Steward, Annie!
Her artwork captured the spirit of Horse Camp perfectly—with a splash of color, and a deep love for the animals.

🥬 Garden Kitchen with Mr. Brett: Cabbage Tostadas & Plant Power! 🌮

Today in Garden Kitchen, our campers put on their aprons and chef hats for a hands-on cooking adventure with the amazing Mr. Brett! But this wasn’t just any kitchen lesson—it was also a deep dive into plant science, with every ingredient helping us understand the different parts of the plants we eat.

And what did we make?
Cabbage Tostadas—a crunchy, colorful, farm-fresh snack that’s as educational as it is delicious!

🧑‍🍳 From Garden to Plate: Cooking with Plant Parts

Before we started chopping and mixing, Mr. Brett helped us explore where our food really comes from—not the store, but the plant! Campers learned that different parts of the plant make up different ingredients in our tostadas. Here's what we used and what we learned:

🌿 Cabbage Leaf – The base of our tostada! We used large, sturdy cabbage leaves instead of traditional tortillas. Leaves are one of the main photosynthesis sites in a plant—they capture sunlight and help the plant make energy.

🌱 Beans (Seeds) – Beans are the seeds of a legume plant. When we eat beans, we’re eating a baby plant’s food supply—full of protein and energy.

🍅 Tomatoes (Fruit) – Yes, it’s true! Tomatoes are technically fruits because they develop from the flower of the plant and contain seeds. We diced them up for our topping, adding juicy sweetness and flavor.

🌿 Optional extras – Some campers added chopped herbs (leaves again!), taco seasoning, or even a squeeze of lime to brighten things up.

🌮 Recipe Recap: Farm-Fresh Cabbage Tostadas

Ingredients:

Cabbage leaves (lightly steamed or raw for extra crunch)
Cooked beans (refried or mashed)
Diced tomatoes
Optional: shredded carrots, herbs, salsa, taco seasoning, cheese, or avocado

Steps:

Wash your cabbage leaves and pat dry. These are your "tostada shells!"
Spread a spoonful of beans onto each leaf.
Top with diced tomatoes and any other favorite garden toppings.
Eat like a taco or tostada—no plate needed!

Campers loved getting creative and personalizing their tostadas while learning about what part of the plant they were eating with every bite.

🧠 What We Learned Today:

Plants have many edible parts: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds.
We eat different plant parts every day—even if we don’t always realize it.
Healthy food can be fun, delicious, and grown right here on the farm!

Mr. Brett reminded us that understanding where food comes from helps us make healthier choices and appreciate the magic of the garden even more.

🌱 Ask Your Camper:

Which part of the plant did you like eating the most today?
Can you find a fruit in your fridge that isn’t sweet?
What would you add to your cabbage tostada if you made it at home?

Stay tuned for more recipes and garden discoveries from Mr. Brett’s kitchen! Rainbow garden wraps 🌈

🌿
— The Farm Camp Team

🐥 Farm Camp Day 1: Exploring the Barnyard with All 5 Senses! 🌻

Today was a big and busy first day for our youngest Barnyard Buddies campers — and what a joyful kickoff to Farm Camp it was!

We began our morning by adding to our colorful barnyard owl mural, where little hands got creative with crayons and farmyard inspiration. This set the tone for a fun day full of sensory adventures.

The campers then set off on a 5-senses exploration of the farm, starting with special animal visits! Giggles and gasps of delight filled the air as they met our soft bunnies, clucky chickens, gentle ponies, and the star of the barnyard — Barney, our friendly potbelly pig! Down at the lower barn, things got a bit louder as we visited the sheep, cows, and bouncy baby goats — the “noisy crew” as we lovingly call the animals in the lower barn.

Our sensory fun continued with a sheep wool activity, where campers felt and explored the texture of real wool, observing its softness, springiness, and even its farm-fresh smell!

In the garden, little hands searched for blossoms to color-match flowers, spotting the brightest reds, yellows, and purples among the greenery. Then we gathered together for a cozy farm-themed storytime, where imaginations wandered to rolling fields and mooing cows.

To wrap up our exciting first day, campers hopped aboard for a classic wagon ride, enjoying the breeze and sunshine as we rode out to a shady spot for a picnic lunch.

It was a day full of wonder, laughter, and learning — and we can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings on the farm! 🌾🐖🐣

🐴 Horse Camp Day 1: Meeting New Friends—Two-Legged and Four-Legged! 🌿

What an amazing first day at Horse Camp! The barn was buzzing with excitement as our new campers—many self-declared ‘horse-crazy’ kids—arrived, ready to begin their equestrian adventures.

We started the day by getting to know each other and building bonds with fellow horse lovers, sharing stories of favorite horses, riding experiences, and dreams of galloping through open fields. It didn’t take long for new friendships to form!

Next up, we got hands-on in the Garden Kitchen, whipping up homemade horse treats using ingredients like grain, apple sauce, molasse and ice-cream cones. Campers took so much pride in feeding their creations to our horse friends—it was the perfect way to introduce themselves and start building trust with these gentle giants.

Before we even thought about saddling up, we dove into horse safety and awareness, learning how horses use their senses—sight, smell, sound, and touch—to understand the world around them. Campers practiced calm, confident movements and voice tones, discovering how to be a safe and respectful presence in the barn.

Finally, it was time for the moment they’d all been waiting for: the introductory ride! We practiced mounting safely and got a feel for the basics—how to sit, hold the reins, and guide our horse partners gently and clearly. The smiles were contagious, and you could feel the confidence growing with every step in the saddle.

It was a beautiful beginning to a week full of riding, learning, and making unforgettable connections—with horses and with each other. 🐎💫

🌾 Farmer in Training Day 1: Getting Down to Earth (and Into the Barn!) 🚜

Our oldest campers arrived today ready to roll up their sleeves and dive headfirst into farm life—and Day 1 of Farmer in Training camp did not disappoint!

We kicked things off with a full introduction to the barn, animal spaces, and key farm responsibilities. From mucking stalls to managing feed routines, campers got a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to keep a farm running—and how they will be a big part of it this week.

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for: their first meeting with Farmer Paul. With his signature storytelling style and infectious energy, he wasted no time jumping into hands-on farm activities and sharing a bit of the famous “Farmer Paul Lore”—a fun mix of history, humor, and hard-earned wisdom passed down through many seasons of farm life. For new and returning campers, it was an unforgettable introduction.

Later, we switched gears and headed to the Tool Shop, where campers met Farmer Ken for an important safety orientation. With tools in hand and ideas already forming, campers learned how to safely use equipment they'll need for this week's Maker Space projects—from woodworking to creative farm hacks and inventions.

By Friday’s Farm Show, these young farmers will be ready to proudly present their hard work, both in the barn and the shop.

It was a day full of new knowledge, hands-on learning, and the beginning of big projects and even bigger growth. We can't wait to see what our future farmers create this week!

🌽 Pepper Groups & Rising Ranchers – Day 1: Chores, Science & Colorful Fun! 🌈

Our elementary campers (Pepper Groups) and Rising Ranchers jumped right into the farm fun today with a jam-packed Day 1 full of adventure, creativity, and learning!

We kicked things off with some get-to-know-you games and ice breakers, helping campers feel right at home with new friends and familiar faces. Then it was time to head straight into farm chores—because around here, everyone pitches in! Campers collected fresh eggs, milked goats, and helped with animal feeding, all while getting hands-on experience with the rhythm of life on the farm.

After our chores were done, we hopped aboard for a tractor ride around the farm, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the fields and barns. The adventure continued with a farm-themed scavenger hunt, leading campers on a mission to find hidden items and fun surprises across the property.

A major highlight of the day was exploring the brand-new Adventure Tire Playground—full of climbing, balancing, and good old-fashioned outdoor play!

In the afternoon, we dove into some cool STEM fun with our Dancing Corn experiment using baking soda and vinegar. Be sure to ask your camper what happened when the corn started to "dance"—you might be surprised by their explanation!

No first day of camp would be complete without a creative classic: Tie-Dye Day! But with a twist—campers used natural dyes made from elements of nature to color their very own camp shirts. These special shirts will be worn proudly on Friday as part of our end-of-week celebration!

To wrap up a fantastic first day, campers decorated their own clay flower pots, which they’ll use tomorrow during our Soil Science Day to plant something special.

It was a day full of learning, laughter, and lots of dirt—just the way we like it on the farm! 🌻🐐🎨

— The Bowers Farm Team

🌲 Thursday at Camp: Outdoor Adventures & Farm Fun! 🔥