Homestead & Chill - 7/31/24
Hi Families!
I can’t believe we’re halfway through our second week of Homestead & Chill! Your campers have been having so much fun around the farm and learning the way (and importance) of returning “back to the land!”
This week, our theme is all about experiencing the slower (and more challenging!) pace of life that self-sufficiency has to offer! Many of our activities put campers into a “time machine” and go back to the early 1800s to learn important life skills that may have been useful at that time and the skills that come in handy for creating a “homestead” in our current day. Campers will investigate common resources we rely on and learn how to create their alternatives.
To start our day, campers completed animal chores! Taking care of our livestock is a super important role that Summer Camp undertakes each year - Each morning we will feed, fill water, do an overall health check, and enjoy the company of these amazing critters! Our Animal Experience team, Carley & Sophia, strive to help campers understand the needs of animals and gain a deeper respect for other living species.
Garden Kitchen with Chef Cappy!
Every other day, Campers will head into our Garden Kitchen with Chef Cappy! This time lets our peppers gain hands-on experience in the kitchen, making their food and using kitchen tools properly. On Monday, Campers made Ants on a Log. They practiced their chopping and spreading skills as well as learned to wash their hands, the right way! On Tuesday & Wednesday, Campers took turns working in the Garden Kitchen to make their Pizza!
Farm Fresh Pickles!
A camp favorite this week was Pickle Making!! Our campers made their own delicious creations using mini cucumbers and a blend of pickling spices. This activity is split up into two parts: Salt & Spice and Pickle Making. Before they become a “pickled pepper”, our groups will learn about different spice tastes and their origins. Once they have their ‘flavor profile’ they start chopping, spicing, and fermenting their cucumbers!
Tea Time!
To enjoy a restful moment with peers, campers made their tea blends and enjoyed some peaceful time outside with friends. We taste-tested different tea bases our group leaders brewed in the morning, tried different sweeteners with each tea, and then began filling tea satchels to make their piece of peace. To make your tea at home, simply brew a bag in 8 oz. of boiling water for 4-8 minutes. Enjoy with a sweetener of choice or as is. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try adding a splash of milk!
Each week our campers create a project to present to their families and friends at our Farm Show! At Bowers Farm Camp, we have our group leaders create a “driving question” for each week of camp. This question is what we ultimately want our campers to learn from their week at camp… For Homestead & Chill, our campers are asked to create a collaborative project answering the question - “What is our responsibility to the world around us?”
Come see what your camper had to say/make/do on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 3:15 - 3:30 pm!
Wishing you all sunshine & smiles!
Miss Alex, Assistant Camp Coordinator
