Activities at Camp

Arts & Crafts
Along with many of the traditional arts and crafts activities, Farm Camp offers unique crafts that are in keeping with our sustainable program model. We will teach campers how to make bath and beauty products from organic natural ingredients, as well as creating dolls, dreamcatchers, arts and crafts, using the natural resources that surround us.

Activities include:

  • Macramé
  • Flower Pressing
  • Tie Dye
  • Memory Jars
  • Lavender Wands
  • Dreamcatchers
  • Masks
  • Pottery
  • Knitting
  • Sketching Hikes
  • Painting
  • Silk Screening
  • Leather Working
  • Candles
  • Soap
  • Lip Balm
  • Wish Jars
  • Sachets
  • Stamps
  • Lanyards
  • Friendship Bracelets
  • Wool Processing and Projects
Farm
Farm Chores: Based on their top five preferences, each camper will be assigned a chore, which changes each Sunday. We believe participating in chores engenders a sense of ownership and independence campers will carry into their daily life.

Chores fall into three categories: Upper, Lower and Camp chores. Working along-side our staff, campers will begin and end each day taking care of the animals, setting the dining room, or even chopping firewood with other campers. Depending on the length of session, a camper may participate in at least one non-animal chore during their stay. Whether a task may be the camper’s first choice or not, we believe these activities help them understand how to live in a symbiotic community, where each staff member and camper works together to keep the ranch and camp running!

Activities include:

Upper Chores: Horse, Dairy Cow, Donkey, Pig, Sheep, Mama and Baby Cow
Lower: Chicken, Kitten, Goat, Garden, Puppy
Camp: Wood, Bucket, Dining, Store, Recycle

Forest
Farm Camp is lucky to be nestled in 500 acres of California’s world-famous redwood forest. Old winding logging roads provide perfect trails for deep forest exploration as well as breath-taking views while enjoying a lazy trail ride. The forest is an ideal location for cultivating creativity, whether it be building a fortress, geo-caching, scavenger hunts, epic games of hide n’ seek, or an adventurous gulch hike to the beach. This forest holds endless playful possibilities.

Activities include:

  • Capture the Flag
  • Fox and Geese
  • Human Stratego
  • Sardines
  • Scavenger Hunts
  • Geocaching
  • Archery
  • Slingshots
  • High Ropes Elements
  • Fort Building in the Park
  • Hatchet Throwing
  • Gulch Hikes
  • Redwood Hikes
  • Prairie Hikes
  • Beach Hikes
Horses
Arguably the most popular activity offered at camp is our bareback program. Under the expert eye of our renowned trainer, Sher Bell-Boatman, campers will be guided through our 4-tiered rider program tailored to each campers riding level. Our goal is that every child who engages in the horse program will have a fuller appreciation and understanding of horses, horse communication and care.

Horse Orientation:
You will learn:
1. Basic equine behavioral ques and anatomy
2. The biodynamics of a synchronous riding relationship for horse and rider.
3. Horse communication ie. Stop, Go, direction cues etc.
4. Horse grooming and tack identification

Corral:
Here campers will learn basic riding fundamentals: going forward, turning the horse, stopping, mounting and dismounting, the beginnings of the biodynamic synchronous seat.

Meadow
Campers continue to improve their riding skills with much more independence in the open meadow.

Trail Ride:
Trail rides are for those campers that are able to demonstrate the knowledge and confidence needed to safely control their horse with little to no instruction.

WILT: Wrangler In Leadership Training:
Our WILT Program is reserved for those CILTS that have been successfully riding in our program and are ready for the next step in their camp riding career!

Vaulting:
A unique activity offered at camp is our Equestrian Vaulting program. Vaulting is described as gymnastics or dance on horseback. Depending on a camper’s comfort and riding level, they will learn the Basic Seat, Flag, Mill, Scissors, Stand, or Flank under the guidance of our horse program director. Vaulting not only is captivating but an excellent way to build confidence in a rider.

Music & Drama
Music and Drama are huge parts of the Farm Camp program. Every morning, after breakfast we will sing 4-5 songs as a collective camp to get the blood moving. Truly believing in the power of music to bond us as a community, we will enjoy regular songwriting activities or jam sessions throughout the week. Our dramas are performed every Tuesday. Campers will have the chance to star and create their very own drama production, performed for all that evening. With a roomful of crazy costumes to pick from, the creative possibilities are endlessly entertaining.

Activities include:

  • Drama
  • Improv Games
  • Comedy Skits
  • Guitar
  • Ukulele
  • Song Writing
  • Poetry
  • Story Telling
  • Campfire Songs
  • Morning Singing
Sports
No camp would be complete without sports! With so many international staff members we are able to offer a wide range of authentic games every day. The docket could hold anything from Aussie rules, Celtic or American football, Rugby, Soccer, or even a quick game of Quidditch. Definitely enough variety to suit the taste of everyone.

Activities include:

  • Soccer
  • Touch Football
  • Wiffle Ball
  • Volleyball
  • Basketball
  • Touch Rugby
  • Cricket
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Frisbee Golf
  • Ping Pong
Water
On warm, sunny days at camp we like to offer a water activity or two to cool down! Our natural lake Oliver is a perfect place to play greased watermelon polo, race around in one of our kayaks or get a bird’s eye view of the lily pads on a stand-up paddleboard. If the lake isn’t your speed and a PFD not your thing, then our heated pool suits any camper’s preference!

Activities include:

  • Kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  • Greased Watermelon Polo
  • Swimming
  • Splash Contests
  • Pool Basketball
Evening Program
Farm Camp offers a variety of engaging evening activities to transition out the day. To conserve camper energy we try to keep the start and close each week relaxed. First introductions being made in an intimate setting amongst your fellow unit mates, and ending with all of camp reflecting on their time had and memories made. Of course it wouldn’t be camp without theater and it certainly wouldn’t be Farm Camp without a Barn Dance! Every Tuesday campers spend the day creating and starring in their own drama production then performing it for all of camp. Wednesdays and Thursdays we gather around the campfire to play games, perform skits and sing songs under the clear starry sky. Fridays nights everyone puts on their dancing shoes to kick up dust at the Barn Dance!