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Choosing the Right Camp Session: One Week, Two Weeks, or Four?
For many new campers, attending camp for the first time is a big step. It’s an exciting opportunity to grow, explore, and make lasting memories. Whether for one, two, or four weeks, the camp experience is packed with benefits that help young people develop independence, confidence, and lifelong friendships. Here’s why camp is such a valuable experience:
Camp provides a safe environment for campers to try new things, make decisions for themselves, and take responsibility for their daily routines. Whether it’s choosing whatever activity they want to try, taking on the tree climb, or riding a horse, campers gain confidence in their abilities and grow more independent. This ability to succeed outside of their comfort zones creates a deep sense of achievement too. With their counselors and co-campers cheering them on, campers are encouraged to push their limits and take on new challenges. While some obstacles may feel daunting at first, the supportive camp environment helps them overcome fears, build resilience, and achieve things they never thought possible.
Finally, camp is a much-needed break from screens. Instead of texting or gaming, campers engage in hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and face-to-face conversations, allowing them to be present in the moment and fully enjoy their surroundings. Through these shared experiences and connections, campers feel a lasting sense of belonging while at camp and beyond. Oftentimes campers leave feeling like camp is their second home.
Farm Camp offers a unique blend of hands-on learning, outdoor adventure, and a close-knit community that fosters personal growth. So, the question isn’t whether Farm Camp is right for my child; the question is, which session length is right for my child?
Why One Week is Great
A one-week camp session is a perfect introduction to camp life. It provides a taste of everything: the chance to try different activities, make new friends, and experience a level of independence. A one-week session is an exciting introduction to camp, allowing campers to explore new activities, build friendships, and experience a sense of independence.
One camper’s parent stated that their camper had “a positive first week away from parents, leaving her excited to go longer next year. She solved problems and figured out how to resolve conflicts away from home. She made a few wonderful friends and plans to see them after camp”. While one week offers a taste of everything, campers may only get to experience one chore and won’t have enough time to try every activity camp has to offer.
Why Two Weeks is the Sweet Spot
The most popular choice among campers, a two-week session allows for a deeper, more immersive experience. Campers will participate in a special program like International Day or CILT Games, have the chance to experience multiple activities, and have time to complete all the hikes they wish.
With two week sessions, campers often leave feeling very fulfilled, “my son really has a new sense of independence and confidence in himself — the change is subtle, but definitely there. It really felt like an accomplishment, for him, to be away from home for two weeks”.
With two different chores, reflection time, unit day, special programming and a growing sense of community, two weeks often makes camp really feel like a home away from home. Most campers find very few downsides to this option.
Why Four Weeks is Incredible
A four-week session is the ultimate camp experience. Campers become part of a close-knit community, take on leadership roles, and enjoy special programming such as the variety show and beach bake. One four week camper stated, “I really enjoyed getting to know all the other campers and new councilors while still meeting up with people from last year. All the activities were unique to the area which makes them amazing. Such a beautiful location cannot be matched by any other camp. I can easily say that these were some of the best 4 weeks of my life.” Four week campers get to try four different chores and fully immerse themselves in the camp lifestyle. However, being away from home for an entire month can be a challenge, making it a better fit for campers ready for a long-term adventure.
No matter the length of stay, camp is a transformative experience. It fosters independence, confidence, friendships, and a connection to nature, all while providing a fun and supportive environment. As one camper’s parent stated, “allowing (my camper) to escape the pressures of daily life and fully immerse herself in a technology-free world among nature provides us all with the gift of a “reset” before the school year starts again. Choosing a camp for your child can seem daunting with all of the options out there, but there is truly nothing else like Farm Camp. Sending your child here is truly a gift.” Whether for one week, two weeks, or a full month, camp is a place where young people grow, explore, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Check out which sessions are still available here!
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!
Community through cooking – Mary’s Apple Pie
The holiday season is a time of warmth, togetherness, and cherished traditions. One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate this magical time of year is by sharing recipes with friends and family. Whether it’s a treasured dish passed down through generations or a new recipe discovered together, the act of cooking and sharing food holds a special power to connect us.
At its heart, sharing recipes is about more than just food; it’s about storytelling. Each recipe has a history—a tale of where it came from, who made it, and the occasions it has graced. By passing along these recipes, we share pieces of ourselves and our families. That secret ingredient your grandmother swore by, or the little twist you’ve added over the years, carries meaning and love that words alone can’t convey.
Counselors and campers coming together to cook and bake is a Farm Camp tradition that we love. Whether that’s putting together apple or rhubarb pies on farm day, creating our tea time snack in the afternoon, or making burritos on unit night, we foster a sense of community and belonging when we make food together. Some of our favorite memories are made working together to create something delicious.
We would love to share a favorite recipe with you here with the hope that you’ll find joy creating delicious goodies in your own home. Mary’s apple pie recipe is a staple for Farm Day creation where campers share the responsibility of peeling and coring the apples, mixing the dough ingredients and rolling out the crusts. Together, they provide the entire camp with a delicious desert for that evening. We would like to give thanks to Mary Stefanson for compiling and sharing these recipes with us and for all of the work and dedication she has put into her years at Farm Camp. Her ongoing involvement and willingness to share the amazing traditions at camp are invaluable to us all.
We also want to share thanks to all of the fantastic chefs who have shared their recipes and joy of cooking with generations of Farm Camp staff and campers: Andrew Mross, Tim Schmidt, Pete and Seglinde Fels, Gunnel Lynn, Dori Cann, Alix Barbey, Patrick Miller, Daniel Morgenbesser, Laura Hinefeld, Katie Bates, Toby Wolf, Chris Pippilis, Elise Brewin, Mel DeRoehn, Monserrat Alarcon and Magaly Aguilar just to name a few.
As we gather this holiday season, let us take the time to not only share the foods we love but to share the stories, traditions, and love behind them. Whether it’s a handwritten recipe card or a phone call to walk someone through your favorite dish, these acts of sharing bring us closer and remind us of the beauty of togetherness. After all, the joy of the holidays is sweeter when it’s shared. As Mary Stefansen quoted in her Farm Camp cook book, “Art, and cooking is surely an art, is what brings people together. May there always be art to share”.
And now our recipe:
Mary’s Apple Pie
Crust:
2 cups unbleached white flour
½ cup (1 cube) butter
¾ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3-4 Tablespoons ice water
Filling:
5-6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, quartered and sliced into ¼ inch thick pieces
equal parts flour and sugar plus ½ – 1 teaspoon cinnamon (Usually about 3 Tablespoons flour and 3 Tablespoons sugar)
Place the flour and salt in a mixing bowl and stir with the pastry cutter to spread the salt out. Cut the butter into chunks, and add these to the flour. Now using a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture has a coarse texture and no globs of butter are bigger than a small pea.
Sprinkle the lemon juice over this dough, and then with a wooden spoon, begin to add the ice water a little at a time.
You want just enough water to hold the dough together, no more.
Divide the dough in two, and shape into a ball. Roll one ball out on a floured work surface, sizing about 3 inches larger in diameter than the pie pan. Fold the dough in quarters and transfer to pan. Fill pan, heaping, with apples, sprinkling cinnamon mixture over each layer of apples. Roll out 2d ball and lay this on top. Wet the edge and press the two together.
Pinch crimp the edge. Cut 4-5 slits in the top and bake in a 400 degree oven until golden. About 40-50
