Summer Program
at The Farm School
Summer is a wonderful time to be on the farm!

summer program

  • Summer Program 2023

    Registration for The Farm School’s 2023 Summer Program will open at 10 am Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

    Please take some time to read all the information below and then to register/apply, go to the APPLY tab.


    The Farm School is a magical place, there is no one certain thing that captures the heart, it is personal and the opportunities are great. The magic may be found in the open space, fresh air, starry night skies, loving animals, time with a book at the base of an apple tree, times of laughter and play running freely, the fulfillment of finishing that building project or that final stroke upon the fiery iron at the forge, a place to be captivated by the forest, sounds of streams and creeks, a place to lay down, be held by earth and let go.  Whatever it is, we plan to keep your kids safe as they explore and find that magic at a moment when it is so needed.

    Thank you for joining us on the farm again, we look forward to seeing you and the youth soon.


    Understanding the Base and Full Rates
    We have set a base rate of $1200 and a full rate of $1550 for our 4 night, 5 day sessions and $2400 base rate and $3100 full rate for our long session. Our base rate is the minimum rate for those who can pay at that level, the full rate is closer to the true cost of running the program and is for those with the means to pay closer to the truer cost of the program. If someone is unable to pay the base rate, we also have a very limited amount of financial aid available that can be requested during the application process. If someone has the means to pay the full rate we ask that you do so and support us in our efforts of offering superb programming for your kids while also meeting our commitment of paying our Farmer Teachers a living wage.

    Dates for 2023 Summer Programs
    Session I: Monday, June 26 – Friday June 30: For all female identifying ages 10 – 12, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session II: Monday, July 3 – Friday, July 7: For all genders identities ages 11 – 13, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session III: Monday, July 10 – Friday, July 14: For all genders identities ages 10 – 12, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session IV: Monday, July 17 – Friday July 21: For all gender identities ages 12 – 13, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session V: Monday, July 24 – Friday, July 28: For all gender identities ages 13 – 15, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session VI (the long session): Monday, July 31 – Thursday, August 10: For all gender identities ages 15 – 17, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Drop off will be 10 AM on Monday, with pick-up starting at 4 PM on the last day.

    Tuition
    Sessions 1 – 5: base rate $1,200 or full rate $1,550
    Session 6: base rate $2,400 or full $3,100

    Program tuition rates based on participant’s financial capacity. Limited financial aid is available and can be requested during the registration process.

    *program session age ranges are subject to change based on enrollment

    Registering for Summer Program via CampDoc
    The Farm School has moved its registration system to CampDoc. CampDoc allows you to register multiple youth of the same household or parent/guardian relationship at one time, you can also upload immunization records, photos, provide authorizations and complete health, dietary, allergy and medication information, make payments and so much more directly online using your smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer.

    Update on Farm School Sleeping Spaces
    We are excited about the addition of our beautiful cabins for program participants. During the registration process you will no longer need to sign up based on location (ex. westside, eastside/ tent/cabin). Instead we are asking that participants select their preference of a gender free space or a male or female identifying space based on how they identify and we will place youth in the corresponding areas. This is our initial step to meeting a need for both gender specific and gender free spaces, we understand there is still much work to do year by year, and we will continue to welcome your feedback as we continue to grow into a more inclusive summer program.



    The Farm School is a non-profit and reserves 15% of its Summer Program openings for students from a network of partner schools, plus gives financial assistance when needed. These children would otherwise be unable to attend summer programs, we would be very grateful for a gift from you to be used to directly support this program. Thank you for your ongoing support; you can make your donation below.



  • Monday
    10:00   Youth Start to Arrive
    11:15   Opening Circle
    12:00   Lunch
    1:00   Farm Explore Tour
    1:45   Games
    2:00   Farm Work
    3:30   Snack/Free Time
    5:00   Chores
    6:15    Dinner
    7:30    Evening Activity – a special way to close the day (ex. variety show, campfire, stories, star gazing, games etc.)
    8:30    Quiet Evening Routine
    Tuesday – Thursday
    6:15    Wake Up
    6:30    Chores
    7:30    Breakfast
    8:15    Mind and Body
    8:45    Community Meeting
    9:15    Farm Work
    10:15   Snack
    10:30   Back to same Farm Work
    11:30   Free Time
    12:00   Lunch
    12:45   Free Time
    3:00    Snack
    3:15    Farm Course – a special selected option chosen by the youth (ex. arts, cow love, games, forest adventures, goat walk, jammin’ in the kitchen, etc.)
    3:55    Free Time
    5:15    Chores
    6:15    Dinner
    7:30    Evening Activity
    8:30    Quiet Evening Routine
    Friday
    6:15    Wake Up
    6:30    Chores
    7:30    Breakfast
    8:15    Mind and Body

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • What are the activities throughout the day?  Each summer, The Farm School provides children with an opportunity to be on the farm outside of a school visit. During the extended summer sessions, children have the time to get to experience The Farm School on a more personal level. The programs are shepherded by our experienced staff of farmers and teachers. For children who have attended during the school year, we will be doing much the same as you remember – chores, work projects, crafts, tracking. For all of you, new and returning, here are some of the things you can look forward to: milking cows, gardening, picking strawberries, raspberries, building, hiking, caring for animals, working in the woods, haying, star gazing, shooting hoops, sawing timber, throwing frisbees and enjoying the summer breezes with new and old friends.
    • What are the meals like? Is there a dinning hall?  Our meals are amazing; farm fresh meat, veggies, eggs and fruits are utilized and we take care to honor allergies and dietary restrictions. It is our aim to have all meals outside under a huge and beautiful tent and throughout the gardens of the farm. In cases of inclement weather we will have staggered meals indoors and by sleeping space cohort. We are waiting for additional state guidelines to be released and will following them closely. Please feel free to contact kitchen@farmschool.org if you have any specific questions.
    • How many students are in each session?  We have a max of 36 to 40 youth per session
    • What is the lodging like? Our bunk rooms are custom designed triple decker bunk beds, with comfy mattresses, thermal floor heating, lots of windows for natural light and air flow. The bathrooms and showers are right across the hall on the same floor as the bunkspaces. Our Cabins (housing 7  youth) are newly constructed with the same comfy mattresses, windows and screens to allow for natural light and air flow. The bathroom and showers are a short distance (less than 50 ft) to the main bunkhouse.
    • Who are the counselors?   Most of our counselors attended past summer programs as youth or came during their school group’s trip to the farm. They are typically between 21-30 years old. They have interests in a variety of things from education, farming, art, music, landscaping and sports to neuroscience. They all have a deep love for the farm and know what youth need to be successful during their week or more on the farm. All of our counselors are trained in First aid and CPR and participate in Diversity Equity and Inclusion Trainings prior to the start of the summer program.
    • What is the staff to student ratio?  Typically about 1 counselor to 7 youth on average.

    Farm School Photos, 2015. Photos by Erik Jacobs

    Farm School Photos, 2015. Photos by Erik Jacobs

    Farm School Photos, 2015. Photos by Erik Jacobs

  • Registration for The Farm School’s 2023 Summer Program will open at 10 am Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

    Registration is online only. Our summer programs fill quickly, first come, first served! Due to our desire to have as many children as possible experience the farm during the summer, only one session registration per child.

    Click here to register/apply via CampDoc

    The aim of The Farm School’s Summer Program is to provide youth with an authentic experience of a community working together on a working farm. We will provide opportunities for work that gets you sweaty and makes you feel like a champion once the project is complete as well as time to explore interest in animals, their care and play with friends, we are farmers and earth and land lovers who hope to share our love with the kids that come.

    Registered BUT not Fully ENROLLED….what does that mean?
    After you select your session and register, we will take a moment to review all of your information regarding the type of experience your child is looking for and needs.  There is no initial payment, but you are asked about the rate of the tuition that you will be paying after the youth has been enrolled .  After reviewing your registration and ensuring that the programming The Farm School offers aligns with your child’s needs and desires, we will follow up with a confirmation of enrollment. Confirmation of enrollments will be emailed within 2 weeks of the submitted registration. Once a confirmation of enrollment is received, you will then need to log back into your Farm School CampDoc account to complete your health, medication and related profiles and make your payment or deposit at that time. Once all of your information is submitted the enrollment process will be complete. Payments can be made via checking account or card. If you choose to pay by check the processing fee is slightly less than paying with a card. You are also welcome to pay by money order and mail your payment directly to the Farm School.

    Dates for 2023 Summer Programs
    Session I: Monday, June 26 – Friday June 30: For all female identifying ages 10 – 12, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session II: Monday, July 3 – Friday, July 7: For all genders identities ages 11 – 13, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session III: Monday, July 10 – Friday, July 14: For all genders identities ages 10 – 12, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session IV: Monday, July 17 – Friday July 21: For all gender identities ages 12 – 13, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session V: Monday, July 24 – Friday, July 28: For all gender identities ages 13 – 15, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Session VI (the long session): Monday, July 31 – Thursday, August 10: For all gender identities ages 15 – 17, as of the start of the session and as developmentally appropriate for that session make up

    Drop off will be 10 AM on Monday, with pick-up starting at 4 PM on the last day.

    Tuition:
    Sessions 1 – 5: base rate $1,200 or full rate $1,550
    Session 6: base rate $2,400 or full rate $3,100

    Program tuition rates based on participant’s financial capacity. Limited financial aid is available and can be requested during the registration process.

    Refund Policy:
    IF you cancel, deposits/payments, minus a $50 fee, are refunded ONLY IF we are able to fill your withdrawn spot. IF The Farm School has to cancel overnight programming, payments/deposits will be refunded. There is a $50 fee for returned checks.


     

    The Farm School reserves 15% of its Summer Program openings for students from a network of partner schools. As these children would otherwise be unable to attend, we would be very grateful for a gift from you to be used to directly support this program. Thank you for your ongoing support; you can make your donation below.