Category: Camp Blogs
How to Make Friends at Farm Camp: Tips & Tricks for an Amazing Summer
Heading to Farm Camp is an adventure like no other! You’ll spend your days hiking, swimming in the lake, sitting around the campfire, and trying awesome activities like rock climbing, archery, or arts and crafts. But one of the best parts of camp? The friendships you make along the way!
Making friends at camp isn’t just about having people to hang out with—it’s what makes camp special. The people you meet in your unit or on the trails might turn into lifelong friends, and camp memories are always better when you share them with others.
But let’s be real—meeting new people can feel a little scary at first. What if you don’t know anyone? What if you’re not sure what to say? Don’t worry! Most campers are in the same situation, and with a few simple tricks, you’ll be making friends in no time.
- Be Friendly and Say Hi
It might sound simple, but the easiest way to make a new friend is just to say, “Hi, I’m [Your Name]!” A big smile and a friendly attitude go a long way. Your unitmates and activity groups are all looking for friends too, so don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and start talking!
- Ask Open-Ended Questions
One of the best ways to start a conversation and get to know someone is by asking open-ended questions—ones that need more than just a “yes” or “no” answer. Instead of asking, “Do you like the lake?” try, “What’s been your favorite part of camp so far?” or “What activities are you most excited for?” Questions like these keep the conversation going and help you find common interests, and maybe you will even sign up for the same activities!
- Get to Know Your Unitmates
Your unit is like your camp family. You’ll be sleeping in tents or under the stars near each other, eating meals together, and spending time hanging out during down times. Make an effort to talk to everyone in your unit. Ask where they’re from, what their favorite camp activity is, or if they’ve been to camp before. The more you get to know each other, the more fun your time together will be!
- Invite Others to Join You
If you’re heading to an activity, walking to the dining patio, or starting a game, invite others to come along! Saying, “Hey, want to go to archery with me?” or “We’re about to play a card game—want to join?” makes people feel included. You don’t have to wait for others to ask you—take the first step and invite them!
- Join in on Games and Activities
Camp is full of fun things to do, and the best way to make friends is by jumping into activities. Whether it’s a game of capture the flag, a group hike, or a swim in the lake, participating helps you meet people who like the same things as you. Plus, teamwork and shared experiences bring people closer together!
- Be a Good Unitmate
People love being around someone who is kind and thoughtful. Be the kind of person you’d want as a friend! That means including others in conversations, helping out during unit chores or unit meals, and being respectful of your unitmates’ space. If you notice someone looking left out, invite them to join your game or sit with you at mealtime.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Be Yourself
Camp is a place where you can be YOU. You don’t have to impress anyone—just be yourself! Whether you’re goofy, adventurous, creative, or quiet, you’ll find people who appreciate you for who you are. Being real is the best way to form genuine friendships.
- Try New Things and Meet New People
It’s easy to stick with the same people once you make a friend or two, but camp is a great chance to meet lots of different people. If you sign up for a new activity, sit with different people at lunch, or join in on a group game, you’ll keep meeting more friends.
- Be Patient—Friendships Take Time
Sometimes, making friends happens fast, and other times it takes a few days to feel comfortable. That’s totally normal! If you don’t click with someone right away, don’t worry—there are lots of campers and plenty of time to make connections. Just keep being friendly, trying new things, and having fun.
- Have Fun and Enjoy Camp!
When you’re having fun, people will want to be around you. Laugh, play, and make the most of every moment. Camp is all about adventure, and the friendships you make along the way will be the best part of it all!
So get out there, be yourself, and enjoy every second—your new camp friends are waiting for you!
Building Forts, Friendships, and Futures: How Camp Connects Us to Nature
At Farm Camp, everything we do is outside. We eat outside, play outside, and sometimes even sleep outside! We love that we’re able to fully connect with nature in all the various aspects of our camp lives. During our weeks at camp, we’re not just surrounded by nature, we’re fully immersed. And we can say with first hand experience, the benefits are immense.
At camp we’re able to disconnect from screens and spend more time face to face with one another. We collaborate with each other to complete chores, share our spaces kindly and to accomplish big things (like hikes) together! We spend less time worried about getting to the next thing and instead get to take our days slowly and more mindfully. When children are disconnected from technology their creativity thrives. As stated in an article from the Child Mind Institute, an “unstructured style of play also allows kids to interact meaningfully with their surroundings. They can think more freely, design their own activities, and approach the world in inventive ways” (1). One of the places where we see this creativity really come out at Farm Camp is at the park.
The park is a big area up in the woods filled with leaves, sticks and huge trees – no playground equipment in sight. Over the decades camp has been running, campers have turned this space into a fort building paradise. Campers often go to this activity with their unit mates and collaborate to create huge forts using just the things they can find on the ground. It’s not only fun and a great way to deepen connections with one another, it’s impressive too! Several campers have turned a bunch of branches and sticks into triple decker forts with fence lines, shelter areas, and places to hide their treasures.
Campers also report feeling less stressed at camp than anywhere else, and they tell us that they sleep better here too! It can be hard to say what exactly is the main cause of these benefits, as there are so many reasons that could be the case at camp. We have long, physically active days and three wonderfully healthy meals. We’re surrounded by friends and get to fall asleep giggling with one another while reflecting on everything we’ve accomplished. We’re reading instead of scrolling. And we’re more aligned with our circadian rhythms; up just a bit after sunrise and asleep an hour or two after sunset. Our campers tell us that they can actually hear themselves think and get to fall asleep to the sounds of frogs at the lake or the tides of the ocean.
In a comprehensive study done by Marcia Jimenez, they found associations “between nature exposure and improved cognitive function, brain activity, blood pressure, mental health, physical activity, and sleep” (3). And in an article by the American Psychological Association they stated; “people who feel more connected to nature have greater eudaimonic well-being—a type of contentment that goes beyond just feeling good and includes having meaningful purpose in life (Journal of Happiness Studies, online first publication, 2019)” (4).
Our connection to nature doesn’t have to be something we just experience at camp. We can go on a family camping trip, go for a walk in our neighborhood park, have a picnic, or take part in a local clean up on earth day. Even just 15 minutes of time in nature per day can significantly improve our cardiovascular health by reducing our blood pressure and resting heart rate (2). Nature is part of who we are and we’re grateful to be able to share our love of nature with all of you. As San Francisco native and beat poet Gary Snyder states; “nature is not a place to visit, it is home”, we couldn’t agree more.
- Cohen, Danielle. “Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature.” Child Mind Institute, 9 Feb. 2016, childmind.org/article/why-kids-need-to-spend-time-in-nature/.
- “How Even Just 15 Minutes in Nature Can Boost Your Wellbeing.” Loughborough University, 3 Jan. 2025, www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2025/january/how-short-time-in-nature-boost-wellbeing/.
- Jimenez, Marcia P. “Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 9, 30 Apr. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8125471/, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094790.
- Weir, Kirsten. “Nurtured by Nature.” American Psychological Association, vol. 51, no. 3, 2020, www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature.
Why Chores Are Great for Kids: A Farm Camp Perspective
At Farm Camp, chores aren’t just work—they’re where the magic happens! Every morning and afternoon, our campers roll up their sleeves and take on meaningful responsibilities, from caring for animals to giving back to the community through non-animal chores. Chores are woven into our program because we’ve seen how they build character, foster collaboration, and create a sense of pride in contributing to something bigger than ourselves.
What Chores Look Like at Farm Camp
Our campers start their days with purpose, diving into chores that make a real difference on the farm. Animal chores can include feeding goats, collecting eggs, or cleaning stalls. Non-animal chores are just as important! These can consist of setting the dining tables for meal times, helping sanitize dishes with “bucket chore,” or harvesting fresh lettuce in our garden. Each task reinforces the idea that every role, no matter how small it might feel, contributes to the well-being of our camp community.
The Science Behind Chores
It’s not just us who think chores are amazing—an ongoing 75-year Harvard study backs us up! This long-term research is finding that children who do chores are more likely to grow into successful, happy adults. Here’s why:
- Collaboration: Chores teach kids to work together and be part of a team. At camp, this means they’re not just doing tasks—they’re building a spirit of collaboration that lasts a lifetime.
- Independence: Taking responsibility for chores helps kids become more self-reliant. We’ve watched campers transform into confident problem-solvers over a single summer.
- Self-Esteem: Completing chores builds confidence. When kids see the results of their hard work, they feel capable and proud. Campers begin feeling a sense of ownership and pride as they learn more and become experts at their chore.
- Basic Skills: Whether it’s learning to care for animals or clean up after meals, chores teach essential life skills that lay the foundation for adulthood.
- Work Ethic: Starting chores early instills a strong work ethic that campers carry with them long after they leave Farm Camp.
Making Chores Fun and Meaningful
We love finding ways to make chores engaging! Campers tackle them with friends, sing songs while they work, and even come up with creative systems to make tasks more efficient. These experiences create memories and connections that last long after camp ends.
We’re so proud of our campers and the work they do every day. It’s a joy to see them rise to the challenge and thrive. Here at Farm Camp, we love chores—and we know you will too!
For families at home, incorporating chores can be just as rewarding. Try holding a family meeting to assign responsibilities, creating a chore chart, or volunteering together. These small steps can build strong bonds and teach valuable lessons. Thank you, campers, for all the work you do for our community! We can’t wait to work alongside you again this summer!
Share Kudos, Spread Gratitude!
Welcome to the Farm Camp Blog – a place where the magic of summer never ends! Farm Camp is a vibrant and dynamic summer experience rooted in history, tradition and a deep sense of community. It’s a place where friendship blossoms, creativity thrives and fun is always at the heart of every activity. Through this blog we aim to capture and share the magic of camp life.
From exciting activities and beloved recipes to arts and crafts instructions, favorite morning singing songs and thoughtful reflection questions. We’ll also share the unique traditions and stories that have shaped our camp for decades. Whether you’re reminiscing about past summers or discovering the camp spirit for the first time, we hope this space brings a little bit of Farm Camp joy into your world! Once you’re part of camp, you become part of its history and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you in!
To start us off, in the season of gratitude, we would love to invite you to share ‘kudos’ with your loved ones. Every Saturday evening we run reflections, we all gather as a camp either on the lawn, around our campfire or in the barn. Our teen campers in leadership training (CILTs) often run this programming for younger campers. We invite campers and staff to write a kudo to someone else. This can be gratitude for anything as long as it’s written with kindness! We will then share some of them out loud and distribute the kudos out to whom they are written about the next day. These are written anonymously and always help spread a little love, cheer and sense of appreciation around camp. Here are some examples below!
Kudos to Joey for making me laugh during the whole hike on unit day.
Kudos to Alexi for their really good skit during the all camp campfire.
Kudos to my counselor for making me feel better when I was feeling homesick
Kudos to June for being my best friend.
Kudos to the kitchen staff for always making us really good food.
Some ideas for implementing this on your own would be writing one and leaving it in a loved one’s shoe or jacket pocket so that they find it later. Or you could write a sweet message with a dry erase marker on the bathroom mirror (make sure it’s dry erase before using it!). Or, you could tell this person exactly why you’re grateful for them right this second!
However you choose to express your gratitude is just right because it comes from you. We truly appreciate you taking the time to stop by and read this, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
-Farm Camp
