Summer Day Camp Frequently Asked Questions
What do the youth do during Summer Day Camp?
This year our camps have different themes every day! Some days we will focus on gardening and growing food. Other days we will be cooking with various farm fresh ingredients or connecting with the natural world by hiking to the river. All of our camps use play and creativity to build connections to the gardens and ecosystems around the American River Ranch. Little Sprouts camps are geared towards little ones exploring the farm and engaging with all of their senses. All camp sessions are immersive and hands on, guiding campers naturally towards learning and growth. Camp curriculum is flexible and educators may adapt plans based on the interests and desires of a camp group.
How do I sign up for Summer Day Camp?
Participants can register and pay on Soil Born Farms website. You will receive a confirmation email when you have registered. You must complete an online Camper Info Packet in order to finalize your registration. It is necessary that all campers complete the Camper Info Packet as soon as possible in order to complete the registration process. Campers cannot attend camp if they do not have one on file at least one week in advance.
What if I need to cancel?
If you must cancel your camp registration you will be eligible for a full refund (minus a $25 processing fee)) if the cancellation is made at least 3 weeks before the camp starting date. Cancellations received with less than 1 weeks’ notice will not be eligible for any refund unless a replacement is available to take your camper’s spot.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes. For those hoping to receive financial assistance we require a completed Scholarship Application along with a completed Registration Packet. Please submit necessary paperwork as soon as possible. Your financial information will be kept confidential. As a non-profit we have limited amounts of scholarship funds so please consider paying any amount you can, it all helps! Soil Born Farms works hard to make sure that each family’s needs are met as best as we can and staff will contact applicants as soon as possible to let them know what we can award. If you would like to be considered for financial assistance, please fill out the Soil Born Farms Summer Day Camp Scholarship Application >>.
Where does Summer Day Camp take place?
All Summer Day Camp sessions take place at the American River Ranch. One day each week, our farm camps will venture to Cordova Creek and the American River Parkway but drop off and pick up is still at the American River Ranch. You will receive an email with detailed drop off/ pick up instructions the week before your camp.
Where is the American River Ranch?
The address is 2140 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. There is a visitor parking lot to the right of the driveway. Please park in the lot and walk your camper up to the check in table to sign them in every morning.
What time is Summer Day Camp?
All Summer Day Camp sessions are from 8:30am to 12:30pm except for the Little Sprouts session which is from 9:00am to 11:30am.
Do you have before and after care?
No, at this time we are unable to offer before or after care for campers. Please drop off your camper no earlier than 8:15am and pick up your camper no later than 12:45pm.
How many campers are in a session?
There are 30 spots available for each camp session offered other than Little Sprouts which is limited to 20. These numbers allow us to maintain a high camper to staff ratio to ensure safety and high quality programming.
Can siblings be in the same camp?
Yes, as long they are in the same age group session we are happy to have siblings in the same camp. We cannot make exceptions to this rule due to the fact that activities are tailored to each specific age range.
Can a camper attend a camp if they are outside of the designated age range?
No. Camps are geared specifically for different age groups, and in order to deliver high quality, age appropriate experiences we cannot make exceptions or accommodations. We also offer multiple camp sessions that span different age brackets.
Do you offer camps for middle schoolers/teens?
We are not currently offering summer camp programs for youth over the age of 12. If you have a teen between 14 to 18 years old who is still interested in getting involved with the farm or volunteering to help out as a jr. counselor, please contact us at youthprograms@soilborn.org.
We have Summer Teen Volunteer days for teens ages 12 -16. Youth are encouraged to join our teen volunteer crew to help in the greenhouse, growing spaces and the herb and flower gardens. Volunteer shifts are 9:00am-11:30am. To Sign up for a Teen Volunteer you can sign up through the following link: Volunteer Opportunities >>
We also offer a Saturday class called Eco Warriors for teens ages 12-15 who want to build leadership skills, foster meaningful friendships and become changemakers. Those classes are held Saturdays from 10:00am-11:30am for $15 per class. To register for an Eco Warriors class, you can sign up through the following link: Eco Warriors Saturday Classes >>.
Do you offer camps for kids ages 3 and under?
Due to the wild nature of the farm, we currently only offer programming for students who are potty trained, able to follow directions and stick with a group, and comfortable without their parents for a few hours at a time. Because of this, our programming begins at age 4.
Will you have Cooks Camp this year?
Rather than having a week long Cooks Camp, each of our camp sessions will have a cooking day. Campers will get to harvest from the field and prepare a snack/meal together with our culinary arts team, just like Cooks Camps in the past. We are so excited to be able to offer cooking experiences to all of our campers this summer!
Do you have restroom facilities at the American River Ranch?
Yes, we have 2 public restrooms and 1 handicap port-a-potty at the America River Ranch.
Is the farm site wheelchair-accessible?
At this time, wheelchair access is extremely limited at our farm. Most of our pathways are dirt, mulch, or gravel at the farm, and can be uneven/bumpy. We are making site improvements to provide more wheelchair access in the future. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions/concerns.
Do you let campers swim while at the American River?
No we do not. It is the law that children under 13 years old wear a life jacket, so we provide life jackets even when only putting our feet in the water or playing near the water’s edge. We do not let kids swim but will bring water blasters down to the river and spray campers who want to get wet. We will also visit Cordova Creek and let campers wade in the safe, shallow waters of the creek.
Is there a snack offered during camp?
We ask that campers come prepared with a good snack of their own to eat during our designated snack time because they will be extremely active during camp and will get hungry. Please pay extra attention to the dietary needs section of the Registration Packet so we can make accommodations if necessary. We do harvest and eat from the farm and garden every day! Introducing students to healthy fruits and vegetables is very important and we source as much food from the farm as possible. Some snacks include melon, peaches, cucumbers, carrots and hummus, cherry tomatoes, berries and more.
Can I send my camper with their own lunch/snack?
Yes, please do! We will only offer lunch for Farm Camps on Wednesdays, when we cook a meal together during camp. Campers should bring their own lunches on the other days of the week, and are welcome to bring lunch on Wednesdays as well. Our snacks are delicious, but are sometimes on the smaller side, so we recommend that campers have their own snack as well to round things out. Little Sprouts does not cook a lunch together. We will only eat at designated snack/lunch times determined by Soil Born Farms staff. Please provide peanut and tree nut free snacks!
What should my camper bring with them?
Campers should come wearing sunscreen and should bring a hat, water bottle and any other clothing required to be comfortable in the heat. Campers must wear close toed shoes as well. Whether cooking or gardening or hiking, campers may get messy, so they should wear clothes that are okay to get dirty. For cooking days, we recommend that campers with long hair have their hair pulled back into a ponytail or braid.
How should youth prepare for Summer Day Camp?
No experience or prior knowledge about gardening, cooking or hiking is required for any of our camps. We ask that youth come with an open mind, curious spirit and willingness to engage in new and potentially challenging experiences.
Illness Policy at SBF
If your camper is not feeling well or is exhibiting any cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you keep the camper at home so that they may have time to get better and lower the risk of exposure to other campers.
