Opportunities for Teens

There are opportunities for older campers to engage with the farm, explore the forests and lake, build relationships, and have fun! All of our teen programs work to prioritize connection, youth voice, 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 based at the farm’s production market garden. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in daily farm chores, prepare food to share, follow their interests, and 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 a week-long overnight camp for high school aged students. This camp is a combination of traditional camping activities and unique farm experiences. The goal is for campers to end their week gaining genuine insight from our community and practice working with the land. Campers will choose to participate in cohorts for part of each day that each have a central focus: Farm, Forest, or Food & Community.
    • Farm: This cohort may be working alongside our Market Garden team, Dairy team, or crafting with our farm’s fibers.
    • Forest: This cohort may have the opportunity to work with our Woodlands crew, craft in the woodshop, and have ample time in the forest.
    • Food & Community: This cohort may spend their time cooking with chefs from the Inn, working with our farmers, using food as a tool for connection, and learning about our local food systems.

Interested campers will choose their cohorts prior to camp starting and spend part of each day with their group. Please note there will be chances for everyone to engage with each theme through choice activities, downtime, group hangs, and exploring. 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 Leaders, under the mentorship of our education team, will practice facilitating 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, Camp and Afterschool Coordinator, at workandlearn@shelburnefarms.org.