Immersed in the daily cycles of our farm community, campers experience the stories of the Land as they play, explore, and discover the wonders of the natural world. Our camps are designed to meet the developmental needs of each age group. Whether you have a younger camper excited to see the animals and search for eggs, or you have an older camper ready to cook and help the farmers, our camps offer age-appropriate experiences for curious children of all ages. 

All campers can expect a full week of adventures as they explore the many habitats and agricultural spaces around the farm. Throughout the camp day, we offer lots of choices and often split up into smaller groups based on interest or ages. Some examples of camp choices include, but are not limited to:

• Visiting and caring for our farm animals
• Exploring the pond to dip for critters
• Meeting a newborn calf at the dairy
• Taking a tractor wagon ride to pick blueberries in the field
• Washing and spinning our sheep’s wool into yarn
• Baking bread and making butter
• Building forts and animal homes in the forest
• Picking kale to roast over a fire
• Digging, chopping, dicing, and tasting our way through the garden

We feel it is essential for all campers to be immersed in real farm experiences that engage them in the daily rhythm of farm happenings and foster the development of a supportive community. All of our camps strive to encourage youth voice, nurture curiosity, and strengthen the connection between children, our food systems, and the natural world.

Summer Camp & Camp Youth Leader Application Dates:

• Applications accepted January 12 - 14, 2025: Submit an online application anytime during these dates to be considered in the initial placement process. Enrollment is not first come, first served.
• Notifications sent 2 - 3 weeks after application period: Enrollment and Waitlist Notifications emailed to all applications received between January 12 -14.  
• January 15 - August 11, 2025: Applications received after the initial placement process will still be considered and you will be notified if you are accepted or placed on the waitlist in order of when your application was submitted.
• Review full Application and Placement process here
• Review Frequently Asked Questions here

• 2024 Camps by Dates
• 2024 Camps by Ages (5 - 17)
• 2024 Camp Youth Leader Camps by Dates
• Work and Learn Opportunities (Ages 14 - 17)

There are many ways for older campers to engage with the complexity of farm life, explore the forests and lake, build strong relationships with the land and each other, and have fun! All of our teen programs work to prioritize youth voice, leadership, and genuine engagement with each other and our ecosystem. We offer three programs over the course of the summer ranging from day camps, overnight experiences, and leadership roles.

• Market Garden (ages 12 - 14): Our Market Garden camp is a week-long day program focused on all things food. Campers will participate in farm chores, prepare meals and snacks to share, and have the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding forests, fields, and lakes. This camp connects us to our food system and builds community through sharing meals, playing games, and exploring the farm.  
• Beyond the Barn (overnight) (ages 14 - 17): Beyond the Barn is an overnight, week-long camp that invites high school aged campers to engage in building essential farm and life skills through authentic farm-based projects and community connection. This overnight camp is a combination of traditional camping activities and unique farm experiences that immerses campers in the daily cycles and rhythm of the farm. Learn alongside our farmers, gardeners, and naturalists as we build a relationship with the land around us. The joy of preparing and sharing all meals together, group discussions, personal reflection, games, and farm chores lead to the development of a tight-knit supportive crew. Each day will have scheduled downtime, choice activities, and the opportunity to cool off, swim, and enjoy Lake Champlain. Campers are not required to own any outdoor gear such as tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads, gear is available for campers to borrow as needed.
• Camp Youth Leader (ages 14 - 17): Camp Youth Leader, under the mentorship of our education team, will learn how to facilitate hands-on activities in an agricultural and natural outdoor setting, build leadership skills, and gain place-based teaching experience while exploring the Farm with our youngest campers ages 5 - 8. Examples of responsibilities include: assisting and supporting hands-on programming, singing songs, playing games, reading stories, facilitating activities, collaborating with staff, and exploring the farm! For more information please review the Summer Camp Youth Leader Program Description or contact Hannah Corbin, Farm and Forest Educator, at workandlearn@shelburnefarms.org. Please submit one online application per youth leader. 

We strive to make summer camp on our working farm as accessible, safe, and inclusive as possible. We welcome campers who are emerging multilinguals, queer and questioning, as well as campers with social, emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioral challenges, along with their 1:1 assistant or a personal care assistant. In many cases we are able to make modifications or adjustments to our program and are open to feedback or ideas. If you have questions or concerns about how we can best support your camper, please contact Jed Norris, Director of Farm-Based Youth Programs, at jnorris@shelburnefarms.org.

Program Accessibility & Scholarship Fund

Shelburne Farms is committed to ensuring that finances are not a barrier to children experiencing our summer youth programs. We offer need-based financial assistance in an effort to make camp accessible to all children regardless of financial barriers. Applicants enrolled in summer camp will be able to select financial assistance using a need-based sliding scale. For those able, your donation to the Accessibility & Scholarship Fund is greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping all children to experience the joys of summer on the Farm.

Camp Goals

• Provide camp programs that: are accessible to all children regardless of financial barriers, highlight the role farms play in providing our food and fiber, and inspire deep connections to community and a commitment to a sustainable future.
• Develop and sustain an inclusive and multicultural camp community that reflects and engages Vermont’s increasingly diverse populations.
• Build relationships with campers and families to encourage lifelong learning and sustained engagement with Shelburne Farms beyond summer camp through family programs, workshops, outreach, and community partnerships.

Before & After Care

Campers may be dropped off as early as 8am and picked up as late as 5pm for all full-day camps. Fee: $3/half hour per family.

Camp Drop off & Pick up Locations

We have assigned a drop off/pick up location for each camp, but all camps will spend their days exploring all over the farm. We’ll meet the farmers, animals, and get to know our meadows, fields, pastures, pond, dairy, farmyard, and gardens as we deepen our relationships with the food and natural systems of our farm community. 

• Outdoor Classroom at Farm Barn (FB): Located in the forest behind the Farm Barn. The Outdoor Classroom has a campfire circle, the old sugarhouse for cubby space, work tables, running water, and an enclosed composting toilet. 
• Farm Barn (side lawn): Located in the lawn on the North side of the Farm Barn. The location offers lots of space for gathering and easy access to a kitchen work space, bathrooms, the farmyard, gardens, campfire circle, and trails.
• Market Garden: Located at the Market Garden, a mixed vegetable and flower garden with fields and greenhouses. The Market Garden has a covered pavilion, campfire circle, outdoor kitchen, running water, and an enclosed composting toilet. 
• Outdoor Classroom at Coach Barn (CB): Located in the forest behind the Coach Barn. The Outdoor Classroom has a campfire circle, outdoor kitchen, sheltered lean-tos, running water, and an enclosed composting toilet with an accessibility ramp and sink for hand washing.

• If you have any questions regarding specific camps and programming, please email Christine Lutters, Assistant Camp Director, at clutters@shelburnefarms.org.
• If you have any questions regarding the application process, login information or using our CampBrain registration system, or financial assistance, please email Mariah Hawkins, Education Program Administrator and Registrar at registration@shelburnefarms.org.