This month saw the end of summer camp, and what a season it was! We were delighted to offer 4 different programs this year; Art on the Farm camp, Farm to Table camp, Sprouts camp, and Leaders in Training.
Along with regular activities such as berry harvests and exploration of the main working farm, each camp had a special selection of themed activities. Art on the Farm camper highlights included pressing flowers collected on the morning farm walk, dyeing clothes with dye we made from vegetables, and making dream catchers with springing sticks we collected from beneath the pear trees.
Farm to Table campers could be found in the fields harvesting for zucchini bread and frittata as well as in the kitchen cooking up delicious, organic snacks from freshly picked delights. And of course, our wonderfully playful and curious sprouts delighted their senses through garden explorations, made fossils from shells and leaves, and foraged building materials for their elaborate fairy houses.
Thursday nights during Art on the Farm and Farm to Table weeks hosted adventurous campers for a farm fresh pizza dinner cooked with fire in our cobb oven, campfire with stories and s’mores, camping out with friends, and waking up to breakfast cooked from the previous day’s harvest.
Liz, mother of a nine year-old Farm to Table camper had this to say about their
experience: “Through Farm Discovery Camp my daughter was able to build on her love for growing food and cooking, spend a ton of quality time outdoors, and grow her confidence in making new friends.”
Throughout the summer we welcomed four to six Leaders in Training (LITs) to join us on our adventures. These teens helped with activities, supervised during free-play, and were there for campers to rely on for fun, comfort, and inspiration. We loved seeing them learn and grow and are so proud of them for volunteering their time to be an integral part of our camps.
Finally, the summer was made all the more special by the fact we were able to welcome campers otherwise unable to attend through 25 full scholarships and 30 partial scholarships. None of this would have been possible without the compassionate support of our summer camp contributors, a compassionate group of individuals, local businesses, organizations, and foundations including: The Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust. Jackie, had this to say about her six year-old Art on the Farm camper’s experience, “I just want to take the time to thank the staff at (Farm Discovery at) Live Earth for the opportunity given to my son. He enjoyed the beautiful crafts and learning about farm life. Even though he’s such a picky eater he really did come out with a more open mind about trying out new food.”
It’s a little sad to see summer go, but we are excited for what fall has in store and can’t wait to welcome more campers next year!