Summer Day Camp
We Grow More than Food
Students entering grades pre-K through 12 have the opportunity to attend unique, fun and educational summer day camps at Soil Born Farms’ 55-acre ranch located along the beautiful American River Parkway. With the variety of camp themes offered this year, youth are guaranteed to find something that peaks their curiosity and gets them excited. Through experiential learning, youth will learn more about all that this land has to offer. Participants will explore farm, field and forest environments. This memorable summer activity for your children has the potential to be life changing.
We are offering several camp tracks:
Farm Camp
Youth will spend the week learning about the American River Ranch and connecting to their food, their health and the environment. Through hands-on experiences in the garden, around the farm at the American River, youth will learn how to grow food and flowers, gain a respect and appreciation for the land, learn how to be stewards of the natural world and build community.
NEW: Overnight option for Gardeners group on Thursday (entering grade level 4–6)
Would you like to spend the night sleeping under the stars at the American River Ranch? Campers can choose to attend a campout at the farm on Thursday night. We will harvest food to cook a farm-fresh dinner together, play games, tell stories, sing songs and sleep under the beautiful night sky in the youth garden.
All campers will be dropped off on Thursday at 8am. For campers who are staying the night, pickup will be Friday at 12pm. Campers who are not spending the night can be picked up at 12pm (regular camp ending time) or choose to stay until 5pm.
Session Dates:
Farmers (entering grade level 7–12): June 18–22
Gardeners (entering grade level 4–6 with Thursday overnight option): June 25–29
Sprouts (entering grade level 1–3) July 9–13
Farm Friends (entering grade level 1–6): August 6–10
Cooks Camp
Youth will have the opportunity to learn life skills for cooking with farm-fresh, seasonal food. Campers will participate in harvesting and cooking, learn kitchen and knife safety, explore the garden and farm, meet new friends, and eat nutritious and delicious food together every day. Youth will gain an understanding of the connection between food, health & the environment and be empowered to make healthy food choices that are better for their personal health and the earth.
Session Dates:
Lettuce League (entering grade level 9–12): June 18–22
Broccoli Buds (entering grade level 6–8): July 9–13
Radish Rookies (entering grade level 4–6) July 30–August 3
Nature Camp
Youth will spend the week exploring the American River Ranch and Parkway and all that it has to offer. This camp will focus on connecting youth to the river environment, themselves and each other while learning naturalist skills and practicing sensory awareness. The camp will focus on river and nature safety, American River ecosystems, flora and fauna of our environment and the relationship between humans and nature.
NEW: Overnight option for Oaks age group on Thursday (entering grade level 4–6)
Would you like to spend the night sleeping under the stars at the American River Ranch? Campers can choose to attend a campout at the farm on Thursday night. We will harvest food to cook a farm-fresh dinner together, play games, tell stories, sing songs and sleep under the beautiful night sky in the youth garden.
All campers will be dropped off on Thursday at 8am. For campers who are staying the night, pickup will be Friday at 12pm. Campers who are not spending the night can be picked up at 12pm (regular camp ending time) or or choose to stay until 5pm.
Session Dates:
Oaks (entering grade level 4–6 with Thursday overnight option): July 16–20
Acorns (entering grade level 1–3) July 23–27
Fairyland Camp (new this year)
Discover the wonders of our enchanted land.
Meet our whimsical friends, learn, and even lend a helping hand.
We’ll build fairy houses, gnome homes, possibly a dragon lair,
There truly is magic everywhere!
Bring your faith, trust and little bit of fairy dust,
Using our imagination and creativity is a must!
Session Dates:
Fairyfolk (entering grade level 1–3): July 30–August 3
Farm Camp for Little Sprouts (new this year)
This camp is a sensory and exploratory adventure for your little sprout. Meet the animals, dig in the dirt, smell herbs, taste fresh fruits and vegetables. Using stories, songs, crafts and games, our youngest campers will learn about our farm and have a playful, fun-filled morning. A farm fresh snack will be provided daily.
Session Dates:
Little Sprouts (pre-K and Kindergarten, suggested ages 4–6): June 25–29
Please note: This camp runs from 9–11am.
| 2018 Summer Day Camp Sessions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Track | Group Name & Grade Level | Dates | Time |
| Farm Camp | Farmers* entering grade level 7–12 | June 18–22 | 8am–noon |
| Farm Camp | Gardeners entering grade level 4–6 | June 25–29 | 8am–noon |
| Farm Camp | Sprouts entering grade level 1–3 | July 9–13 | 8am–noon |
| Farm Camp | Farm Friends entering grade level 1–6 | August 6–10 | 8am–noon |
| Farm Camp | Little Sprouts entering grade level preK–K | June 25–29 | 9–11am |
| Cooks Camp | Lettuce League* entering grade level 9–12 | June 18–22 | 8am–noon |
| Cooks Camp | Broccoli Buds entering grade level 6–8 | July 9–13 | 8am–noon |
| Cooks Camp | Radish Rookies entering grade level 4–6 | July 30–Aug 3 | 8am–noon |
| Nature Camp | Oaks entering grade level 4–6 | July 16–20 | 8am–noon |
| Nature Camp | Acorns entering grade level 1–3 | July 23–27 | 8am–noon |
| Fairyland Camp | Fairy Folk entering grade level 1–3 | July 30–Aug 3 | 8am–noon |
| *Farmers or Lettuce League campers may volunteer as Junior Camp Counselors during any day camps that follow. | |||
Register online in two easy steps:
1) Download, complete and submit a registration packet. (Registration is not complete until we receive your packet.)
2) Select an available session below to register and pay online:
| Event | Venue | Date | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature Camp | American River Ranch |
| Session Dates: |
Register |
| Cooks Camp | American River Ranch |
| Session Dates: |
Sold Out |
| Fairyland Camp | American River Ranch |
| Fairyland Camp (new this year) |
Register |
| Farm Camp | American River Ranch |
| Session Dates: |
Register |
Cost and FAQ
Early Bird Registration through April 2:
Farm, Nature and Fairyland Camps are $225; Cook’s Camp is $250; Little Sprouts Camp is $125
Registration after April 2:
Farm, Nature and Fairyland Camps are $250; Cook’s Camp is $275; Little Sprouts Camp is $150
Overnight option for Gardeners and Oaks: Additional $75
Download Summer Day Camp FAQ >>
Scholarships
Soil Born Farms, a non-profit organization, operates with very limited resources and our ability to provide Summer Day Camp scholarships is made possible by Board members, private donors, and those who contribute to the scholarship fund. These funds are very limited and based on the total of paid-in-full registrations. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, download and submit the Scholarship Application > >
Sample Camp Agendas
Take a glimpse into the diversity of typical activities participants will engage in each day at camp. There will be numerous additional hands-on projects and mini-lessons that occur throughout the day. Healthy snacks and water are provided. (Activities are subject to change.)
Farm Camp
Monday: Farm Tour and Garden Orientation, Safety and Team Building
Focus on training youth on farm operations including safety and team building. Create group agreements.
Tuesday: Garden Workday
Various farm-related projects at the ranch such as compost investigation, seeding/transplanting, art projects.
Wednesday: Harvest Day
A full day of harvesting and farming. Youth will harvest and assemble food boxes for donation and work on an art project.
Thursday: River Exploration Day
A full day of hiking and exploring the river environments. Learn water safety. Focus on stewardship.
Friday: Cooking and Celebration
Make flower bouquets to take home, prepare a healthy meal with chef, focus on kitchen safety, reflect on the week and celebrate!
Nature Camp
Monday: American River Orientation, Safety and Team Building
Train youth on American River and American River Parkway safety. Create group agreements. Focus on team building.
Tuesday: Plants and Habitat Restoration
Learn about native plants and the various uses of these plants. Work on habitat restoration projects.
Wednesday: Focus on Animals
Spend the day seeking out all of the animals that live on the American River including birds, fish, reptiles and other mammals.
Thursday: Water Quality
Explore Cordova Creek, learn about water quality, look for macroinvertebrates, focus on stewardship.
Friday: Water play, Wrap-up and Celebration
Celebrate our week with a hike to the river and lots of splashing around in the water!
