More than veggies grow at this farm!
See for yourself at our 2023 summer day camps.
About Camp
Each day, campers will participate in a variety of outdoor activities facilitated by camp counselors as well as child-led freeplay opportunities. Weekly themes bring excitement and variety to the camp program. No matter the week they are signed up to attend, every camper will participate in the following weekly activities:
-
Nature exploration, like animal games, scavenger hunts, and camouflage activities
-
Garden investigation, like bug hunts, color hunts, and garden taste-testing
-
Arts & Crafts with recycled and/or natural materials
-
An activity to make the world a better place, like creek litter clean up or a pollinator take home project
Campers also have a daily Snacktivity (an activity they eat), Forest Freeplay, and participate in 15-20 minutes of Farm Chores (weeding and watering in the garden, collecting firewood, turning compost, etc.) to help the farm be its best.
Check out the Day Camp Family Info Pack (link below) for more info.
Camp Goals
Just like the plants in the garden, children will grow at farm camp, too. Through outdoor exploration, hands-on activities, and free play, our goal is that campers will grow in the following ways:
-
Build self-esteem through interactions with others and participation in new and challenging activities.
-
Grow communication and problem solving skills through child-led freeplay and facilitated activities.
-
Learn gardening, cooking, and healthy eating skills that they are able to share at home.
-
Develop kindness, compassion, and empathy by caring for living things, articulating feelings, and contributing to group success.
-
Become stewards of the land, forming a connection with the earth and a desire to protect both living and non-living elements of our ecosystem.
Every day will bring new opportunities and new experiences designed to showcase the joys of nature and spending childhood outdoors!
Basics
Cost: $325/week (unless otherwise noted)
Explorers Club Aftercare: $50/week
Deposit and Payment Due Date: A $50 per week, per child deposit will be due at the time of registration. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Final payment for all weeks is due by June 1, 2023.
Financial assistance is available for all programs. Requests can be made when registering online.
Camp Times: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Free & Flexible Drop Off: 8:15-9 a.m.
Explorers Club Aftercare: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Ages:
Age 5: Racoon Group
Age 6-7: Squirrel Group
Age 8-10: Deer Group
Age 11-13: Fox Group
Age 13-17: Teen Apprentice
Coming with a Friend? Children must be registered in the same age group to be placed together in a group.
Cancellation: If you need to cancel for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible. To be eligible for a refund, requests must be made in writing at least two weeks prior to the start of the program. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Is the week you wanted full? Here are the TOP 4 REASONS to sign up for the waitlist:
1) Waitlists help us gauge popularity of programs. Sometimes we are able to add more spots and if we do, they go to kids on the waitlist!
2) Lots of kids get in off the waitlist! We usually have a steady trickle of cancelations all spring, as folks firm up summer plans and realize they’ve packed their schedule a little too full. But, the time that we have the most movement from waitlists is right after final payments are due (June 1). So even if you don’t hear about a space opening up this spring, don’t lose hope!
3) There’s no financial commitment! You won’t have to pay anything until your camper gains a spot on the roster. Once notified that they’ve been moved up off the waitlist, you’ll have 3 days to pay a $50 deposit to confirm that you want the spot. If space opens up after June 1st, then full payment and a completed health profile will be required within 48 hours to confirm your spot.
4) If you don’t sign up for the waitlist, you won’t get in!
>>>Scroll through to see what summer camp looks like!
Find out why Sunbury Urban Farm has been recognized for two years in a row as Central Ohio's EDUCATION GARDEN OF THE YEAR* and one of Columbus' BEST CAMP FOR KIDS** by signing up today!
*2021 & 2020 Growing to Green Award by the Franklin Park Conservatory; **2021 & 2020 CBUS Top Pick Finalist by the Columbus Dispatch
Weekly Themes:
Camp activities are planned to tie in with kid-requested weekly themes. Each theme occurs twice and activities vary each time so kids can happily repeat the same theme. Specific activities will vary for different ages and abilities.
Explore the wilder side of life at the farm! Shoot slingshots, build dams in the creek, play camouflage games, and search for creepy crawlies in the garden. After a week like this, you may never want to play inside again! Week 1: June 5-9 Week: 8: July 24-28
Learn what it takes to survive in the wilderness. Practice bushcraft skills like tending a campfire (try starting one with and without matches), building shelter, knot tying and knife use, and foraging for wild edibles. Week 2: June 12-16 Week 7: July 17-21
Do you like to get crafty and make stuff? Come bake bread, infuse oils for all-natural healing salve, preserve fresh farm food, learn to identify wild plants, and whittle with a knife... the options are endless in this hands-on homesteading week! Week 3: June 19-23 Week 11: Aug. 14-18
In this video game inspired week, kids have to work together to learn outdoor skills, complete challenges, and earn points along the way. You'll search for resources, build structures, and hunt for food, all while fending off wandering monsters! Week 4: June 26-30 Week 10: Aug. 7-11
MINICAMP: Experience a little of everything at the farm! Check in on the chickens, pick fresh veggies in the garden, play in the creek, and more! This 3-day program is the perfect sampler of farm camp activities. Ages 5-10. Cost: $200 Week 5: July 5-7 Week 11: Aug. 14-16
From fairy tales to forest trails, join us on this journey of discovery as we learn legends of the land and explore how folklore, science, and imagination blend together in magical and fantastic ways. Week 6: July 10-14 Week 9: July 31-Aug. 4
Specialty Camps:
Leadership, cooking, and gardening - these specialty programs for older kids do not follow the weekly themes. Instead they are full of their own fun and adventure for kids who want to dig deeper.
Farm Chef
Ages 8-12
Cost: $350
What culinary creations can you concoct at camp? Spend mornings picking fresh garden ingredients and learning how to turn them into a delicious lunches for your group to eat each day (No need to pack a lunch for this program, because you'll be making it here every day). You'll even get to spend one day cooking over a campfire! Afternoons will be spent playing in the woods and sampling the rest of the camp program.
Available: Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9
Teen Apprentice
Ages 13-17
Cost: $150
Gain leadership skills and farm know-how by assisting in the garden, helping pick and prepare veggies for snacks, and helping lead activities for younger kids. On Monday, you'll help set your own schedule by filling in activity blocks with what interests you and where you can be the most helpful. There will also be plenty of time for you to climb trees, express your creativity, and try out camp activities for yourself, too!
Available: Weeks 2-4 and 6-9
Summer Camp & COVID-19
No matter the cause of their symptoms (COVID, cold, allergies, or even anxiety), children who are feeling unwell often have trouble enjoying their time at the farm. Help them make the most of their experience by making sure they are feeling up for adventure. If your child is feeling sick, please consider allowing them to stay home and rest.
If a child has been in close contact with someone with COVID-19:
-
Unvaccinated: stay home for a minimum of 5 days to monitor for symptoms (and mask for a further 5 days after that).
-
Vaccinated: may attend farm programs, but will be required to wear a mask.
Children who have tested positive for COVID-19 may attend farm programs if they are symptom free after 5 days, however they will be asked to mask (even outside) from day 6-10. Children who exhibit signs of illness, but who have tested negative for COVID-19, will be asked to wear a mask (even outside) if they attend camp.