Farm Camp July 13-17th
A Change of Plans: Friday Farm Camp Update
Dear Farm Camp Families,
As much as we love spending our days exploring the farm, learning outdoors, and getting our hands dirty, sometimes nature reminds us that we have to slow down and make thoughtful choices.
Due to the continued poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke from Canada, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Farm Camp on Friday. The health and safety of our campers and staff is always our highest priority, and after careful consideration, we feel this is the best choice for our community.
At the farm, we spend so much time teaching children about the natural world, being good stewards of the environment, and understanding how interconnected our world is. This week has been a great reminder that even the air we breathe connects us to places far beyond our own backyard.
We are incredibly proud of how our campers handled the unexpected changes this week. When the smoky air moved our adventures indoors, they showed creativity, flexibility, and resilience. They turned an unusual camp week into an opportunity for science experiments, cooking, animal visits, teamwork, movement, and friendship.
A huge thank you to our campers and families for your patience and understanding as we navigate these changing conditions. We know how much children look forward to their farm adventures, and we are just as excited to get back outside exploring trails, visiting animals, digging in the garden, and discovering all that nature has to offer.
Until then, we encourage everyone to stay safe, take care of yourselves, and keep an eye on air quality conditions in your area.
We can’t wait to welcome our campers back to the farm for more curiosity, connection, and adventure soon! 🌱
When the Air Outside Changed, Camp Creativity Took Over!
Sometimes the best camp memories come from the unexpected days and this was definitely one of them! Take a look at our photo blog to see that the fun and learning didn’t slow down while tucked away inside.
Due to the smoky air quality caused by wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada, our campers spent the day indoors. While we missed our usual outdoor adventures, our campers were absolutely amazing. They showed incredible resilience, flexibility, and enthusiasm, proving that the spirit of farm camp isn’t limited to being outside.
Instead of slowing us down, an indoor day became a chance to dive deeper into creativity, science, teamwork, and hands-on exploration. Campers filled the day with discovery, laughter, movement, and connection and honestly, it was wonderful to see them enjoying time together creating, playing, and talking with their friends that they have made at camp this week.
Garden Kitchen Adventures with Chef Dan
Campers headed into the Garden Kitchen with Chef Dan for some delicious hands-on learning. They made zucchini fritters and fresh raspberry ice cream from scratch!
Cooking is so much more than making a tasty snack. It’s a chance for children to explore math, science, problem-solving, and teamwork. Did you know zucchini is technically a fruit because it grows from a flower? Or that making ice cream is a science experiment involving temperature changes and the transformation of ingredients?
Our campers were busy chefs and scientists all at once!
The Great Egg Drop Challenge
One of my favorite camp activities made its return: the Egg Drop Challenge!
Campers explored STEM concepts as they worked in teams to design and build structures to protect their eggs from a drop from the top floor of our building.
Using creativity, engineering, and teamwork, campers experimented with materials and designs while learning about gravity, force, impact, and problem-solving.
Ask your camper: Did their egg survive the fall? 🥚
The real success wasn’t just whether the egg made it safely it was watching campers collaborate, test ideas, make adjustments, and learn that innovation often comes through trial and error.
Wool Science & Soap Making
Campers also explored the fascinating science behind wool and soap making. They learned about natural fibers, how wool is created, and how everyday materials can be transformed through hands-on processes.
These activities help children make connections between nature, science, and the world around them.
Even though we couldn’t spend the day exploring outside, our animal friends still found a way to be part of the fun! Campers enjoyed special indoor visits with our bunnies, Clover and Maple, who were happy to provide some furry farm companionship.
Barnyard Buddies
Barnyard Buddies campers also became little food scientists by making smoothies and apple chips. The apple chips were placed on the dehumidifier to help remove moisture creating a fun opportunity to observe how air movement and drying processes work.
Throughout the day, campers also enjoyed plenty of movement, active games, and imaginative play.
Movement, Games & Friendship
Indoor camp didn’t mean sitting still! Campers brought their energy to activities like Dance Dance Revolution, where they practiced rhythm, coordination, and movement while having a great time.
One of the most special parts of the day was seeing campers enjoy the simple joys of being together creating, laughing, talking, and playing. Sometimes a change in plans gives children the chance to slow down and connect in new ways.
A Huge Thank You to Our Camp Counselors!
A special thank you goes to our incredible camp counselors who truly rose to the occasion. They brought creativity, flexibility, and passion to create an indoor camp day that still felt exciting, meaningful, and full of adventure.
They transformed a challenging situation into a memorable learning experience and reminded us that the magic of camp comes from the people, the connections, and the curiosity we create together.
While we’re excited to get back outside and explore the farm, we are so proud of our campers for embracing the unexpected and making the most of every moment.
The farm adventure continues no matter where learning happens! 🌱
Another "A-Maize-ing" Day at Bowers Farm Camp! 🌽🐷🧪
The summer sun was working overtime today, but so were our campers! We mixed plenty of cool indoor activities with outdoor adventures to make sure everyone stayed safe while still having an unforgettable day on the farm.
🐐 Farm Camp: Busy Hands, Curious Minds
Our Farm Camp crew started the day with important farm chores because every great farm depends on teamwork! Feeding animals, caring for the barns, and keeping the farm looking its best helps campers learn responsibility while seeing firsthand what it takes to care for a working farm.
One of today's biggest jobs was accomplished by our Farmers in Training helping to clean the Lower Barn to get ready for some very special new residents...
🐷 Welcome to the Farm!
We're excited to introduce three new American Guinea Hogs to Bowers Farm!
Did you know? American Guinea Hogs are a rare heritage breed that nearly disappeared in the 1970s. They're known for being friendly, excellent foragers, and surprisingly good at helping farms by rooting through brush and eating unwanted plants. We're thrilled to welcome these adorable pigs to the farm family!
🧬 Raspberry DNA...You Can Actually See!
Our FIT campers traded their farm boots for lab coats (well...almost!) as they became scientists for the day and extracted DNA from raspberries!
Here's the cool part: Every living thing contains DNA the tiny instruction manual that tells cells how to grow and function. Raspberries are perfect for this experiment because they have eight copies of each chromosome, making it much easier to see the strands of DNA with the naked eye after extraction. Science is pretty amazing!
🌿 Garden Camp: A Sip of Summer
Our Garden Camp explorers wandered through the herb garden discovering the wonderful smells, textures, and flavors growing all around them.
Campers brewed and sampled a variety of herbal teas before creating their own custom tea blends to bring home.
🍵 Ask your camper:Which tea was your favorite? Mint? Lemon balm? Chamomile? Or maybe they invented their own signature blend!
🥒 Garden Kitchen: Pickles, Pollinators & Patience
Chef Dan's kitchen was full of fresh flavors today as campers made homemade pickles!
Now comes the hardest part...waiting! They'll be ready to enjoy in about 24 hours (we know...that's a long time when you're excited about pickles!).
Campers also discovered why pollinators like bees, butterflies, and even beetles are so important. In fact, about one out of every three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators! Without them, many of our favorite fruits and vegetables wouldn't grow.
They also dug into the wonderful world of worms, learning how these tiny underground helpers improve soil by recycling nutrients and creating tunnels that allow air and water to reach plant roots.
To finish the day, campers built birdhouses to help welcome feathered friends to their own backyards.
💦 Cooling Off Farm Style!
No hot summer day is complete without some water fun! Campers cooled off racing through the slip-and-slide, sharing lots of laughs and staying refreshed between activities.
🐥 Barnyard Buddies
Our youngest campers enjoyed another day full of hands-on farm adventures!
They visited and cared for their favorite farm animals, created 5 Senses Finders to explore the sights, sounds, smells, textures, and even some farm-friendly tastes around them, decorated with sidewalk chalk, and enjoyed a wagon ride around the farm.
Because of today's warm temperatures, everyone also enjoyed a cool and comfortable indoor lunch before heading back out for more adventures.
Every day at camp brings new discoveries, new friends, and plenty of muddy boots, happy smiles, and unforgettable memories. We can't wait to see what tomorrow grows when we welcome our little sprouts barnyard buddies campers!
See you on the farm! 🌻🚜
Farm Camp Day 1: A Great Start to an Amazing Week!
What an incredible first day of Farm Camp! The farm was full of energy as campers arrived eager to begin a week of hands-on adventures, outdoor exploration, and agricultural learning. From caring for animals and exploring the gardens to creating art, making new friends, and discovering how a farm works, Day 1 was packed with excitement from start to finish.
Barnyard Buddies: Discovering the Farm Through the Five Senses
Our Barnyard Buddies kicked off the week by exploring the farm with all five senses.
They also met one of our favorite farm animals the llama and learned the special L.L.A.M.A. message that will guide us throughout camp:
Listen
Learn
Attitude
Make Good Choices
All Together
These simple reminders encourage kindness, teamwork, and positive choices as campers learn and grow together.
As they visited different areas of the farm, campers practiced careful observation by listening to animal sounds, noticing colors and patterns, feeling different textures, exploring farm scents, and talking about what they saw. These activities helped introduce basic science skills while encouraging curiosity and confidence around animals.
The fun continued with a fluffy sheep wool craft, where campers learned that wool comes from sheep and is used to create many everyday items. They also enjoyed a farm-themed story, played a colorful matching game, explored the beautiful Master Garden, and climbed aboard the wagon for a relaxing tour of the farm. The morning ended with a picnic lunch under the pergola, where everyone enjoyed eating outdoors and sharing stories about their favorite discoveries.
Rising Ranchers, Farm Camp, and FIT Camp Get to Work
Our Rising Ranchers, Farm Camp, and FIT campers gathered at the flagpole to begin the day with welcome songs, introductions, and fun icebreaker games. It didn't take long before new friendships were forming and campers were laughing together.
One of the first lessons of the week focused on responsibility. The Purple Peppers and FIT campers jumped right into morning farm chores, helping care for animals and keep the farm looking its best. They learned that every job big or small helps a farm run smoothly and that teamwork plays an important role in daily farm life.
Even our youngest Rising Ranchers had a chance to lend a hand by sweeping the barn with their adorable child-sized brooms. Their excitement proved that everyone can play an important role on the farm.
Garden Kitchen: From Garden to Creativity
Garden Kitchen campers explored the connection between growing fresh food and healthy eating by harvesting colorful Swiss chard straight from the garden before heading into the kitchen.
Using the freshly picked greens as inspiration, campers created unique self-portraits that combined art with agriculture. It was a fun reminder that every meal begins long before it reaches the table and that farmers play an important role in every step of the growing process.
Farm-Wide Adventure
One of the highlights of the day was our exciting farm scavenger hunt. Campers explored every corner of the property while searching for clues hidden throughout the farm. As they completed each challenge, they collected letters that eventually revealed a secret farm phrase.
This adventure encouraged teamwork, communication, observation, and problem-solving while helping campers become familiar with the many places they'll visit throughout the week—from the gardens and animal areas to trails, gathering spaces, and learning stations.
Building Confidence One Horseshoe at a Time
A favorite Farm Camp tradition returned as campers created their Horseshoe Confidence Craft. Horseshoes have long been a symbol of farming and good fortune, making them the perfect project for the first day of camp.
As campers decorated their horseshoes, they reflected on trying new things, believing in themselves, and bringing positive attitudes to every new experience this week.
Meeting Our Farm Animals
Of course, no first day at Farm Camp would be complete without spending plenty of time with our amazing animal friends. Campers met many of the animals that call the farm home while learning about the daily care they need, including fresh food, clean water, safe shelter, and lots of attention.
These hands-on experiences help campers build compassion, responsibility, and a greater appreciation for the important role animals play in agriculture.
Several groups also enjoyed special adventures throughout the day. Black Sheep Chad joined the Red Peppers on a nature hike around the farm, giving campers another opportunity to explore the beautiful grounds. The Yellow Peppers spent extra time visiting the chicken coop, where they learned about caring for chickens, observed their behaviors, and discovered how eggs make their journey from coop to kitchen.
Learning Through Every Experience
One of the best parts of Farm Camp is that every activity becomes a learning opportunity. Whether campers were harvesting vegetables, caring for animals, creating artwork, solving clues, or exploring the farm, they were developing important skills in science, agriculture, creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Most importantly, they were making new friends, creating lasting memories, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the farmers and farms that help feed our communities.
Important Reminder
🎨 Color Wars is Friday! We encourage campers to wear as much of their team color as possible as we celebrate with a fun-filled day of friendly competition, teamwork, and farm spirit. We can't wait to see everyone's colorful creativity!
Farm show Friday for Full day Campers! 3pm
Thank you for sharing your campers with us. We had an amazing first day filled with smiles, laughter, learning, and adventure. We are excited to continue exploring, growing, and making memories together throughout the rest of the week.
See you tomorrow!
Ms. Lou and the Bowers Farm Camp Team
