Farm to Camp: Helping Kids Connect with Nature, Animals, and the Land

Our farm to camp program gives campers the opportunity to step into the shoes of a farmer and experience firsthand how animals, plants, and people work together to create a healthy ecosystem.

There’s something special about watching a child meet a farm animal for the first time. Whether it’s hearing the playful calls of goats, feeling the heartbeat of a baby chick, or discovering how plants nourish both animals and people, these moments create lasting connections to the natural world.

Learning Through Hands-On Experiences

Farm to Camp is more than just visiting with animals, it's about engaging all five senses and building meaningful relationships with the living world.

Campers participate in hands-on activities that encourage curiosity and compassion. From observing the life cycle of a baby chick to making treats for our goats, every experience helps children better understand the important role animals play on the farm and in our everyday lives.

These one-on-one interactions inspire campers to appreciate animals as living beings while developing empathy, responsibility, and confidence.

Exploring Nature in the garden and beyond

Campers venture out on guided hikes through Ute Valley, where they identify native and invasive plant species while learning about their unique characteristics and herbal benefits. We also plant out a community garden to observe the cycle of a seed to something edible.

Along the way, campers discover:

• Common native Colorado plants.

• Invasive species and their impact on local ecosystems.

• The different parts of plants and the important roles they serve..

These outdoor adventures help campers understand how every part of nature is connected.

Farm to Camp encourages children to see the world from a new perspective. By caring for animals, exploring local ecosystems, and learning where food comes from, campers gain a deeper appreciation for the environment and the importance of sustainable agriculture.

More importantly, they leave camp with valuable life skills, unforgettable memories, and a stronger connection to the natural world.

Whether they're feeding goats, observing baby chicks, or hiking through the Colorado landscape, every day offers a new opportunity to learn, explore, and grow.