Is your program the same each week?
Yes & No. Our program generally follows the same schedule from week to week and covers similar topics. Each morning, groups will participate in ‘Farm Focus Time’ where they will dive deeper into different farm areas including our gardens, animals, and fields. Themes will repeat every two weeks and while activities will remain the same week to week, there will also be some variation in what groups do during this time. The afternoons consist of Choice Time. More popular activities may repeat week to week, but there are consistently new choices and plenty of opportunities for repeat campers to intermingle and participate in something new.
What are the First Aid resources at Farm Camp?
The health and safety of your camper(s) is our top priority. Our staff are trained to be active observers of all campers and to maintain a safe group environment. We have specific ratios of staff to campers and tone setting takes place prior to all activities around our farm to establish safety expectations. We expect that your campers will listen to and respect our staff’s safety reminders and make choices that will keep their bodies as well as the rest of the group and our plants and animals safe. We also recognize that camp and our farm environment is a great place for campers to try new things and take risks within a controlled and safe setting with the encouragement and careful observation of our staff.
Many of our Farm Camp staff are First Aid, CPR, or Wilderness First Aid certified and we typically have one or two certified lifeguards on staff. With trained staff, they are able to do the majority of the basic first aid we see on a day-to-day basis at camp. This training and the critical thinking skills that often come with the certifications, allow our staff to more easily recognize potential risks and facilitate their group in a way that minimizes hazards.
We will also have a licensed medical professional on our summer staff who will treat the basic day-to-day first aid as well as treat and support all other medical issues that arise. Based on ME Health Department requirements for summer camps this person will be one of the following: Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, an Emergency Medical Technician, or a Wilderness First Responder.
Our camp office staff as well as many of our full-time staff hold First Aid/CPR certifications and the Farm Camp Manager has a Wilderness First Responder certification as well as Youth Mental Health First Aid certificate.
Our staff is better able to meet your campers health and medical needs when we have all the information we need to take care of them while at camp. Please make sure you fill out our health form in its entirety 2 weeks prior to your camp session and/or call us with any questions or concerns.
What happens if it is raining at camp? Or if it is very hot?
Farm Camp is almost entirely outdoors, and that’s the fun of it!! Staff will monitor the weather and modify activities as needed to account for the health and safety of our campers.
Our property has lots of sunny spots – good for plants and pastures, but more challenging for humans. Throughout the day, groups go off to shady areas, the woods, and the coast. Lunch and snack will be in the shade. In the event of extreme heat, we will utilize the Smith Center. We provide campers with fresh water throughout the day and opportunities to take a break. Please pack your camper with a water bottle, and they may refill it at any time!
Because of the new Smith Center, we will not need to cancel camp during thunderstorms. Campers and staff will move activities indoors/under a covered space during inclement weather. If there’s no thunder, we will be outdoors in the rain! Drop off and pick up locations may change in the event of inclement weather to ensure campers and their belongings stay dry.
In the event of severe weather, we will be in contact via email first and then phone.
How does camp drop off and pick up work?
Camper pick up and drop off for all campers will occur at the picnic tables in front of the white Little River Farmhouse. For pick up, please bring an ID. We take the safety of campers seriously. You will be asked to present your ID to confirm with the Authorized Grown Up list (provided within your CampInTouch profile) before your camper is released from camp.
Can my camper bike or walk to and from camp?
Yes! We encourage car alternatives modes of transportation to camp! If you would like your camper to be able to bike or walk home themselves without an adult, you will need to fill out our bike/walk permission form giving your camper’s counselor permission to sign them in/out of camp. We ask that all campers arrive with an adult on the first day of camp. This form will be available in our Farm Camp Handbook that will be sent before the start of camp.
