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Farm
Quest
Ages 9-11
If you like animals, plants, lending a
hand, being part
of a small group learning community, living the country life, and helping the environment
all at the same
time then this program is for you. Check-in is Sunday
between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. The program ends with a family
program Friday from 2:00-2:30 PM.
The goal of Farm Quest is to learn about small farm
agriculture using the W. Alton Jones Campus Woodvale Farm and other
farms nearby. The week will also include learning about nature and enjoying the camp life at W.
Alton Jones.
Sunday is devoted to moving in and getting to know your fellow
campers and counselors. First
you will move into your cabin and meet your cabin mates.
You will have some time to unpack and get settled before
meeting your field group counselor and the other members of your
Farm Quest field group. Some
will look very familiar because they are in your cabin too!
Get ready for dinner and the all-camp
campfire where you will get to see the entire Earth Camp, campers
and staff. You will eat your meals
in the dining hall, except Tuesday dinner and Wednesday lunch.
On Monday, you will participate in some group building activities to
enhance communication between you and the other campers and your counselors and
to help you get to know each other
better. You will also get an outline
of the plan for the
week. Your counselor will give you an introduction
to the Woodvale Farm gardens and farm animals and you will learn
what is typically raised on a New England country farm. This includes
learning about cows, pigs, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, sheep, goats, and
chickens. You will become involved in the gardens and
greenhouse as you learn the important role plants play in
agriculture. Monday includes a swim test, free swim and possibly canoeing.
After dinner there will be an all-camp evening program.
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings will be spent at nearby Hidden
Meadows Farm. Hidden Meadows is a family farm where we will
experience many different aspects of New England farm life. On
Tuesday morning we will get involved with everyday farm chores such
as feeding, grooming, and moving the animals, milking the goats,
harvesting vegetables, and unloading hay. The afternoon is
back at camp for all group games and swim time. Tuesday evening
we will spend at Woodvale Farm working together with our group to cook
a special harvest meal including turkey, stuffing, hand-cranked
ice-cream, and home-made pie.
On Wednesday morning we return to Hidden Meadows to help once again
with chores, which should go quicker the second time around.
Today we will help make products from the farm such as pickles,
cheese, and soap. After a picnic lunch we will drive to The
University of Rhode Island's Peckham Farm, which is a teaching and
research farm. Here Animal Science college students will teach
us about the importance of proper animal care and how to walk
calves, goats, and possibly even pigs. After dinner back at
Alton Jones there will be an all-camp evening program.
Thursday is spent at Woodvale Farm helping with the animals and
gardens. We may also have an opportunity to help teach the
young farm day campers some of what we've learned. Part of the
day will be spent harvesting fresh vegetables for the farm
stand. If it is a
hot day we may be able
to fit in a swim at the lake before cabin time. Thursday
night is a special dinner followed by games and a closing
campfire and ceremony.
Friday is spent putting the whole week together
with reviews and wrap-ups plus closing activities. After lunch, there is some time to spend with friends new and
old before the family program begins. Sign out and goodbyes follow as the week comes to an end.
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