Tag: summer camp
Why Our Kids Need Nature, Wonder, and Awe
Our partner camp, Mountain Camp, recently shared the following blog post from their camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Lake Tahoe, where vast forests, alpine lakes, and wide-open spaces are part of everyday camp life. Their campers are immersed in a landscape that naturally invites exploration, reflection, and connection with the outdoors.
While we may not have the sweeping mountain vistas or high-alpine terrain of the Sierras here at Farm Camp, we are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by our own rich and meaningful natural environment. From towering redwoods and starry skies to the rugged pacific coast line and pastures filled with animals, our campus offers daily opportunities for campers to slow down, explore, and build a genuine connection with nature.
Across our family of camps: Mountain Camp Woodside, Farm Camp, Mountain Camp – Tahoe, and Mountain Camp Marin, it’s this shared commitment to outdoor experiences—whether in the Sierra mountains, Portola Valley, Marin or right here in beautiful Sonoma County, that helps kids grow more confident, curious, and connected to the world around them.
Imagine your child standing beneath towering pine trees, listening to the wind move through the forest, or looking up at a sky full of stars near Lake Tahoe. Those moments of wonder aren’t just beautiful—they’re deeply meaningful. Research shows that experiences of awe in childhood support emotional well-being, curiosity, and resilience. Awe helps children feel connected to something bigger than themselves, which can reduce stress and promote a sense of calm and perspective (Psychology Today, 2023).
Awe plays a powerful role in social and emotional development. Studies suggest that when children experience awe—often through nature—they become more empathetic, generous, and cooperative. Feeling small in the presence of something vast, like mountains or ancient trees, helps kids shift their focus away from themselves and toward others, strengthening kindness and social connection (Greater Good Science Center, “Feeling Awe Might Help Kids Be More Generous”).
Beyond awe itself, regular time in nature helps children thrive. Outdoor experiences are linked to improved attention, reduced anxiety, better emotional regulation, and increased happiness. Nature offers kids a break from constant stimulation and screens, allowing their nervous systems to reset. Even short moments outdoors—unstructured play, quiet observation, or creative exploration—can have lasting positive effects on mental health and overall development (Greater Good Science Center, “How Moments in Nature Help Kids Thrive”).
Nature also supports learning in ways that classrooms alone cannot. When children explore outdoors, they naturally practice problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and scientific thinking. Climbing over logs, noticing animal tracks, or asking questions about plants encourages curiosity and confidence. These hands-on experiences help children build independence and a lifelong love of learning rooted in real-world discovery (Psychology Today, 2023).
At Mountain Camp, we see these benefits come to life every summer. Time spent hiking forest trails, playing beneath tall trees, and marveling at the natural beauty around Icehouse Reservoir gives children space to experience awe, build resilience, and grow in confidence. We encourage families to continue these experiences at home—get outside together, slow down, and notice the wonders around you. To get started, try completing the Nature Scavenger Hunt we’ve attached and see where curiosity and awe take your family next!
Sources
- Psychology Today. 11 Benefits of Experiencing Awe in Childhood (2023)
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-school-walls/202303/11-benefits-of-experiencing-awe-in-childhood
- Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley. Feeling Awe Might Help Kids Be More Generous
- https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/feeling_awe_might_help_kids_be_more_generous
- Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley. How Moments in Nature Help Kids Thrive
- https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_moments_in_nature_help_kids_thrive
Why Choose Farm Camp?
A Summer That Feeds the Soul
When families start searching for the right summer camp, the options can feel endless — sports camps, art camps, adventure camps, tech camps. But there’s only one Farm Camp, where childhood curiosity, community, and connection to nature come together in the most genuine way possible.
Since 1952, Farm Camp has offered something both timeless and rare: a traditional camp experience on a real working farm, nestled among 500 acres of redwoods, creeks, and rolling coastal foothills just a mile and a half from the Pacific Ocean. Here, children trade screens for sunshine, grow their confidence through hands-on work, and discover the joy of living in harmony with the natural world.
Freedom to Choose, Freedom to Grow
At Farm Camp, campers shape their own days through our free-choice program. Every morning, they decide how they want to spend their activity time — maybe washing the puppies, helping in the garden, swimming in the lake, hiking through redwoods, or crafting something beautiful at the Osprey House.
This freedom is intentional. It empowers campers to listen to themselves, make choices, and learn by doing. By choosing what excites them, they build independence, confidence, and a sense of ownership in their own experience — lessons that last far beyond summer.
A True Community of Care
Our camp runs on community, not just in spirit, but in practice. Everyone contributes to the rhythm of daily life, from feeding animals and washing dishes to sharing stories at the dinner table. These simple, shared tasks create a sense of belonging and remind campers that their effort matters.
We believe that community is the foundation of our lives, and that living, working, and playing together nurtures the soul. At Farm Camp, friendships form naturally through cooperation and laughter, and each camper becomes part of something larger than themselves.
Rooted in Our Core Values
Everything we do grows from a deep respect for nature, people, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
- Stewardship of the earth and our diverse community is at the heart of our mission.
- Nature is our greatest teacher — a source of inspiration, healing, and balance.
- Happiness and fun are not afterthoughts, but essential to well-being.
- Integrity, compassion, and respect guide the way we live and work together.
These values don’t just exist on paper, they shape every moment of camp life, from morning chores to evening campfires.
More Than a Summer — A Lifelong Foundation
Farm Camp isn’t just a place to spend a few weeks in the summer. It’s a place where children discover who they are, connect deeply with others, and find joy in simple, meaningful living.
They go home with more than stories of campfire skits and farm animals — they take with them confidence, gratitude, and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
At Farm Camp, we nurture not only campers, but the goodness of the human spirit. And that’s something that lasts a lifetime.
