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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 and Wednesday lunch.
First thing on Monday after breakfast you will
head to a commercial grower where your group will pick berries to be
used in Thursday's harvest meal. You’ll
then head back to campus for lunch and some group building
activities to enhance communication between you and the other
campers and your counselors in your group. Monday includes a
swim check, free swim and possibly canoeing.
After dinner there will be an all-camp evening program.
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings will be spent at nearby Rhode Island
Farms to 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 an all camp swim activity. On
Tuesday after dinner 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.
On Wednesday we will help make products from the farm such as pickles,
cheese, and soap. After a picnic lunch we will learn about the importance of proper animal care and we
may even get some
hands-on experience. After dinner back at
Alton Jones there will be an all-camp evening program.
Thursday morning is devoted preparing our locally-sourced harvest
meal for the rest of the campers. Our goal is to showcase all
of the great, wholesome ingredients that we can find right in
our backyards that we can use to make delicious meals. The
afternoon is spent at Woodvale Farm helping harvest fresh produce
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 dinner is followed by games and a closing
campfire.
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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