wake up
Cabins wake up at different times; most cabins start getting up and taking showers around 7:30. Campers and staff use this time to prepare themselves and their cabins for the day. Many cabins tune into camp radio for the live, camper produced 'morning show.'
special mornings
Around 7:30 some campers are already starting their program day. For instance:
• The hosts, guests, and engineer of the live morning radio show are in the studio beginning their broadcast.
• Early-morning Tai Chi is happening under the weeping willows outside the radio studio.
• A cabin fishing trip is well on its way at the camp lake.
• A group of campers and staff are beginning their day with a morning yoga class, meditation, or warmup.
Only a small portion of the camp is going this early; interested campers will do live morning radio about once a week, and other morning activities rarely if ever meet more then three times a week. All early morning programs are optional.
breakfast
We run a "quiet dining hall" -- no chanting or singing, banging on tables or running around. Quiet, pleasant conversation is the norm.
Available is hot or cold cereal, hot cocoa, juice, and a main course of French toast, pancakes, waffles, &c... Sausage, bacon, home fries, and eggs are served each day.
After breakfast there are announcements; Staff announce the morning's schedule, calling classes, lessons, and other activities.
Campers are encouraged to approach staff with their interests during mealtimes, when everyone in present, and staff seek out and plan with campers who have expressed interest in the dining hall as well.
morning activities
The morning begins with a half-hour studio art lesson, followed by individual choice activities until 12:00.
Many campers will stay in the art studios to work on material covered in this lesson until called to other activities.
Instrumental and vocal music lessons, radio shows, open art studios, riding, tennis, swimming lessons, and more all happen in the morning.
"Free swim" is usually available 11:00-12:00.
afternoon activities
Following the hillside meeting and about 15 minutes of free time, all campers and staff go to their classes, lessons, demonstrations and other activities.
No one is in the cabin areas during these activity times: At The Farm the cabins are not a focal point of camp life; the program areas are where campers make their important lasting friendships.
Free swim is available 4-5 most days.
lights out
'Lights out' time varies from cabin to cabin, from just a few minutes after the evening program for the youngest campers to 45 minutes or so after the evening program for the older cabins.
Some cabins will allow 'flashlight time' after lights out for reading. Our staff makes sure that campers get enough sleep and that campers who want to sleep are not disturbed.
Our days are long and plenty of rest is essential for campers of all ages and our hardworking staff.
One counselor is always in the cabin from the end of the evening program through breakfast the next morning. Our office is staffed until 1:00 am every night for any nighttime difficulties, and the camp directors, the deans, and our camp nurse are available 24 hours a day for any serious problems.
nighttime program
At night all the campers and staff of The Farm and its sister camps gather together for a live event; a theatrical production, dance and music concert, camper cabaret, or special event such as a movie night, dj dance, or rock-n-roll band night.
Many of these nighttime events are optional for campers at The Farm; they can choose between live entertainment or time in the art studios, which remain open and supervised for the duration of the nighttime program.
dinner
In addition to a healthy, balanced, and ample main course, a salad bar and 'alternatives' are available at every dinner.
Each table in the dining hall seats 5 or 6 with at least one staffperson at each table in our main dining room.
Table assignments change every week.
free time & sports
A break in our program day, this is free time 'on the hill,' a chance for busy campers to play sports, read, or relax.
The sports field is very active every day at this time, with volleyball, softball, soccer, &c...
evening activities
During the evening activities all of our program areas are open and calling classes and lessons.
lunch
A healthy, complete, buffet-style lunch. Meat and non-meat entrees are available at every meal.
Each table in the dining hall seats 5 or 6; with at least one staffperson at each table in our main dining room.
Table assignments change every week. Soup and salad bar are available every lunch.
rest period
Each day campers and staff return to their cabins to relax after lunch.
Campers write letters, play quiet games, and nap.
We run a very active program, and this mid-day rest is essential for everyone.
Every day during rest period, camper radio broadcasts pre-recorded camper produced radio shows including music shows, talk radio, radio plays and more!
hillside meeting
Campers and staff gather on a shady hillside for a short meeting about the afternoon schedule of classes and other activities.
back to cabins
Campers and staff return to cabins at 12:00, 5:00, 8:00, and after the Nighttime program.
Since every camper has his or her own schedule during activity periods consisting of classes, time in the art studios or the sports area, this is an important time to 're-group' at the cabin before the meal.
These cabin times are part of our balance between structure and freedom in the program; although very little time is spent as a 'cabin group' during the day, these times are important to keep each busy day flowing smoothly.
Camers regroup by cabin or dining hall table, and are accounted for, 11 times per day.
a day at The Farm
As one camp parent said of us, we are the most 'structured-unstructured camp.' We have a sensible structure to each day, but within that structure is a great deal of freedom for each camper to pursue his or her own interests. We combine organization and creativity in a well-designed program that is really a great opportunity for the motivated child.
click any activity for more information.