Farm Camp 2024

Our mission is to interconnect nature and humanity through agriculture. At Farm Camp, we aim to immerse participants in a comprehensive two-day experience that emphasizes regenerative farming practices and a practical understanding of how food is grown and harvested.

Activities include:

  • Seed starting and field planting

  • Composting and soil preparation

  • Harvesting and processing

  • Carpentry and Irrigation

  • Nature walks

  • Cooking classes and food preservation

  • Natural dye making

  • Journaling and goal setting

  • Botany and soil science lessons

  • Games

  • and more!

Camp includes two days of farm fresh lunch harvested daily, a t-shirt, and plant starts. Families will have the opportunity to harvest produce together for their own kitchen at the end of camp.

Days are from 9am-3pm

Cost: $200 per weekend

AVAILABLE CAMP SESSIONS: MORE INFO PROVIDED UPON CHECKOUT

Ages 12-14: June 22-23 & July 13-14

Ages 9-11: June 29-30 & July 20-21

Daily Schedule

9-9:30: Introduction

9:30-10:30: Farm work 

10:30-10:45: Break/ Team building exercise 

10:45-11:30: Special activity

11:30-12: Harvest/process for lunch

12-1: Community lunch

1-1:30: Journal/Drawing 

1:30-2:30: Farm education

2:30-3: Game/Team building  

Introduction: Introduction will be a time for campers to get to know one another and the staff. We will collect tools and supplies needed for the day. We will also start the day with a short stretching session and quiet time. 

Farm Work: The farm work session will give the children hands-on experience of what it takes to get from seed to plate. We will practice seed starting, transplanting, bed preparation, organic fertilization or composting, weeding, and irrigation. 

Special Activity: Special activities will include things like tie dying from plant dyes, soap or salve making, food preservation, cooking/baking, simple carpentry, flower arranging, plant pressing 

Team Building Exercises: These exercises will be focused on developing children's social, communication, and problem solving skills. They will foster peer relationships, collaboration, and be designed to boost self confidence.  

Community Lunch: We will all harvest and process the produce used for lunch from the farm. Everything the kids eat will be organic from the grains/bread to the meat. We will all sit together, share stories and talk over a lunch that we harvested and cooked together. 

Journal/Drawing: Children will be given a prompt to journal about or draw a picture of. This exercise will be set aside for a period of self reflection, gratitude, and goal setting

Farm Education: This period will be set aside as an educational opportunity to learn about botany, soil science, the business of agriculture, and health and wellness

Why Farm Camp?

Farm Camp offers a transformative experience for children, bridging the gap between food and its source while igniting a passion for agriculture. By immersing kids in the agriculture process, they gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from, fostering a sense of connection to the land and the importance of sustainable practices. Engaging hands-on activities like planting, harvesting, and cooking not only educates but also instills a sense of responsibility and appreciation for natures bounty. Beyond knowledge, Farm Camp sparks excitement, inspiring the next generation to actively participate in shaping the future of farming and food production.

Camp Staff and Location

Our main goal above all else is to make sure your child is in good hands while attending camp. Our staff members have years of experience with childcare, gardening with kids, and running agriculture operations. We will have an onsite first responder and a 1:8 ratio of staff members to kids. All activities are designed to challenge the children while keeping them safe.

The camp will be held at Headwater Farms, which is located a few minutes west of downtown Buena Vista, Colorado, and is surrounded by the Cottonwood trees that boarder Cottonwood Creek. Our farm is located in a historic hay field that is fenced in and has been farmed organically for many years. The backdrop of the Collegiate Peaks, the sandy loam soil and our access to clean water make it an idyllic place to grow fresh mountain produce.

Josh Chance is the owner and operator of Headwater Farms in Buena Vista, Colorado. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Outdoor Education and Leadership from Northern Arizona University. His journey into agriculture began with an internship focused on managing school gardens on Hawaii Island. This experience ignited his interest in market gardening and production farming. Throughout his career, which has included managing or owning various farms, Josh has been dedicated to providing opportunities for children to learn about farming through field trips, classes, after-school programs, and volunteer days. He believes strongly in the importance of connecting children with their food sources and inspiring them to take an interest in agriculture, recognizing them as the future stewards of our food security.