Farm Camp Recap - Week 3 (Aug 2-6)
Monday - Garden Day
The first day of our August farm camp brought thunderstorms for much of the day, but the campers were undaunted as we kept the fun indoors with playdoh, group games, making whole fruit popsicles and “rain” tea from dried herbs. By lunchtime we were able to venture back outside to greet the many frogs, plant hibiscus seeds and baby kalanchoes (called “mother of thousands.”) We played volleyball, practiced our “fox feet” and “deer ears” and brewed teas in Ms. Tammy’s herbal apothecary. A great day despite the stormy weather!
Recipe from the day: Healthy Homemade Fruit Popsicles
Tuesday - Okra Day
No rain today so we spent time this morning visiting the chickens, watering our seedlings, harvesting eggs and okra, then cooling off with our fruit popsicles we made yesterday. The oaks class put the harvest to use by making deep fried okra with homemade aioli. Yum! After lunch, the oaks class sifted basil seeds and made origami seed packets to save them, while the willows made God’s eyes with sticks they gathered around the farm.
Recipes from the day: Deep-Fried Okra, Easy Aioli
Wednesday - Tomato Day
After our farm chores (watering our sunflower house and feeding chickens) we did a scavenger hunt and harvested farm-grown tomatoes and basil. The Oaks class turned their harvest into caprese paninis (helps to have a bistro on our farm!). The Willows learned how to make “scissor salsa” and enjoyed them with tortilla chips. We all got to meet the cows, then the WIllows painted rocks they found in the creek, while the Oaks played an outdoor game called Firekeeper. We all enjoyed the water play at the end of a busy and warm day.
Recipes from the day: Scissor Salsa, Caprese Panini
Thursday - Color Day
More rain in the forecast for the afternoon, so we spent the morning harvesting flowers, hunting for bugs, and doing bug races. As the raindrops started, we moved into the tasting room to rustle up some pico de gallo, guacamole and hand-pressed corn tortillas. Yum! After lunch, the Willows crafted some lovely flower crowns and the Oaks enjoyed rainy day card games. We managed sneak out for a bit to catch frogs and check out the creepy-cool deer skeleton in the cow pasture next door.
Recipes from the day: Pico de Gallo Salsa, Holy Guacamole
Friday - Plant Medicine Day
Last day of farm camp! The Willows loved spreading mulch from the giant mulch pile that appeared overnight - they didn’t want to stop! The Oaks toured the medicinal herb labyrinth and learned about the healing properties of herbs such as yarrow (stops bleeding) and catnip (makes humans relaxed and cats crazy!) After farm chores, we made raspberry lemonade and “sun-balls” from almond flour, coconut, cacao powder, and dates. Both were a big hit with the campers. We also made homemade tea bags (with mint, lavender, holy basil and hibiscus) and flower-embossed bookmarks to take home. Plenty of time for games and outdoor play, too.
What a fabulous week! Many thanks to our hard-working teachers and assistants, and to the parents who made the trek to the farm every day!
Recipes from the day: Raspberry Lemonade, Sun Balls
