Nervcited! Starting the Camp Countdown Chat with Your Camper

Posted on May 7, 2025May 7, 2025 by Farm Camp

If your child is attending camp for the first time they might be starting to feel butterflies in their tummy. What is it going to be like? Am I going to make friends? What if it’s scary? Will my counselors help me?

These are all completely understandable questions and we’d be surprised if your camper didn’t feel a little nervous for the experience. Simply by coming to camp your child is stepping out of their comfort zone and taking what feels like a risk. They don’t know what the outcome will be and therefore it feels new, exciting and possibly scary too.

However, we know that children who step out of their comfort zones and engage in healthy risks build greater resilience, confidence, decision-making skills and are more tolerant to stressful situations in the future (1).

As an article from the American Camp Association states, “Resilience is the answer to the doubts we have as parents. Won’t he miss me? What if she gets sick? Homesickness, bug bites, disappointments, and injuries all can be weathered without mom or dad. As the camp doctor at a fantastic overnight camp, I can tell you that kids do look for a parent in those moments. And then they surprise themselves as they turn to counselors, new friends, and their own inner strength to get through and get over the hardships. What pride and self-confidence they discover as they learn of their own resilience” (2). While we know that the outcomes can be great, the process isn’t always easy.

In order to best set new campers up for success it’s important to be open with them about what they may face in this very new environment. Yes, they will have a really great time and sometimes they might really miss home while they’re doing it. And yes, they will make friends, and they might occasionally have a disagreement/differing opinion with one of their unit mates. It’s okay to have these conflicting experiences at once – they are in a safe place to process it. Just because you have difficult moments or feelings that you don’t enjoy, doesn’t mean that the whole experience is bad or that you’re not brave enough to be there!

While at camp, your camper is surrounded by adults who genuinely care about them. Our staff have been trained in how to help when a camper feels homesick or is having conflict with another camper. They also make sure to celebrate the moments, big or small, when your camper has learned something new, gone on their first big hike, or gotten on stage to perform in the drama. If your camper is ever experiencing feelings that are difficult to process, we have a team of directors who will stay with your camper for as long as it takes to work through those emotions. Then we’ll make a plan on how to move forward. We’re always here and ready to help whenever your camper needs it.

We’ve found that campers who have talked through their anxieties, goals and hopes for camp before arriving are often better at processing those tough emotions independently when they arise. Reminding your camper that they’re brave even when they miss home, and that they’re strong enough to keep going is awesome. Similarly, a reminder that their counselors and the leadership team are here to support them whenever they need it is great too. Below we’ve listed some questions that might help start the conversation!

What are you MOST excited for?
What are you most nervous about?
What do you think it’ll be like living in a cabin for a week or two (or four)?
I know we’ll miss each other while you’re gone but I know you’re going to have so much fun. You’re brave and strong and we know that you can do it. What are some things that might help if you get a little sad while you’re there?
Are you interested in making new friends? What are some ways you could do that?
What would you do if there was someone who you don’t get along with?
On the first night of camp there will be a campfire in your unit where everyone gets to talk about how to live together. Do you have any ideas on what rules you think might be helpful?
Is there anything you want to be sure your counselor(s) know about you?
Are there any new things you want to try? New food, skills, etc.
What’s one thing you want to make sure to accomplish before you go home?
- Make sure you tell your counselor when you get there so that they can help you with that goal!

This is just a jumping off point as you and your camper consider what their camp experience might be like. Campers may have times where camp is a huge challenge for them, but often those are the moments where they’re growing the most. Ultimately, we hope that “learning respect, resilience, and responsibility at camp will establish each (camper) as a person who can achieve his or her dreams” (2). We’re proud of you and your camper for taking this leap and trying something new! We can’t wait to see you this summer!

“Bright Horizons | Risk Taking in Early Childhood: When Is It Appropriate? | Bright Horizons?” Brighthorizons.com, Bright Horizons, 2024, www.brighthorizons.com/article/children/risk-taking-benefits-children.
Gilboa, Deborah. “Imagine Respect, Inspire Resilience, Impact Responsibility.” American Camp Association, 29 Sept. 2015, www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/imagine-respect-inspire-resilience-impact-responsibility.

Building Forts, Friendships, and Futures: How Camp Connects Us to Nature

Posted on March 14, 2025March 18, 2025 by Farm Camp

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

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Farm Camp

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!