Above: Chestnut Hill Farm is offering 8 weeks of camp this summer for 5-10 year olds. (images cropped from contributed photo and TTOR Facebook post)
With news reports of a Nor’easter headed our way, it’s hard to focus on plans for this summer. But according to The Trustees of Reservations, their summer camps are already 75% booked.* So, you may not want to wait too long.
I previously shared that TTOR is offering a Junior Farmer for a day program over February Break at Chestnut Hill Farm. (You can find details on that and other winter programs here.) This month, they began promoting a new summer camp at the farm.
In past summers, the farm has held some weekly programs or daily programs up to 4 days. This is the first time the Southborough farm will host weeklong day camps. They are offering eight sessions this summer.
Chestnut Hill Farm Camp – for ages 5-10 years old
June 27 to August 19 (Mon – Fri, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm)
Kids can come to one of the last working farms in Southborough to nurture and grow animals and plants while learning at the same time. Feed and care for the goats and sheep, collect eggs from the chicken coop, and spend time learning how to grow food in the learning garden. Then explore 170 acres of trails and woodlands while learning how to track forest creatures.
The cost is $425/week per member or $525/week for non-members. For this program, membership is worth the discount for even a one week sign up. It costs $50/individual or $70/family and comes with other benefits.
TTOR’s press release touted:
The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) today announces that it has added a new location to its summer camp programming, with Chestnut Hill Farm Camp in Southborough offering fun and learning on its farmstead, trails, and fields. . .
Despite the snow on the ground, parents are clamoring to find educational, fun, and safe summer camp options as the pandemic continues to impact daily life. All Trustees camps sold out last summer, and spots are filling up rapidly this year as well. The Trustees has developed programs and protocols that make camp safe for campers, families, and staff while providing a variety of immersive experiences. . .
“The Chestnut Hill Farm Camp is an exciting addition featuring a mix of farm and woodlands on 170 acres, allowing kids to explore so many facets of the agricultural and natural world,” said Trustees Associate Director of Learning, Julie Bernson. “Each camp is meticulously tailored to its unique environment, and now in our third summer dealing with COVID, we’re quite adept at providing an unforgettable experience in safe outdoor spaces.”
TTOR also has camps at eight other properties with a variety of focuses, including options for teens. You can find info on those here.
As for the CHF based camp, the website describes:
Meet new friends, have fun, and experience life at one of the last working farms in Southborough. Plant and grow food, herbs, and flowers, care for farm animals, discover natural habitats and enjoy all the farm has to offer! Chestnut Hill Farm features expansive vegetable fields and pasture lands filled with production animals including goats, sheep, and chickens. Nesting bird preserves and magical woodland trails complete each day’s exploration of the natural world around. Knowledgeable, friendly and compassionate staff welcome campers for weekly sessions packed with fun, engaging, and educational activities. Campers will go home each day with stories about their new barnyard and camp buddies!
There’s more detail on the website about activities planned for “In the Field”, “On the Trails”, and “In the Farmstead”. You can read all about that and find the registration link here.
Below are some more fun pics from past junior farmer events on the farm:
*That registration stat related to all nine of their properties. I don’t have a % for the Southborough camp alone.
