For many families, camp is an important part of summer fun. For kids, it provides adventure and the chance to make new friends, and for grown-ups, camp doubles as childcare, or is just a quiet respite from everyone being home all day long. There are so many cool ways for kids to experience camp, and one of those ways is farm camp! There are a number of day camps and educational programs hosted by working farms in Pennsylvania. They give children of varying ages the opportunity to explore and understand local agriculture, all while the children are playing outside and getting their hands dirty!
A calf and happy camper at Hameau Farm’s camp
Here are fifteen amazing farm camps in PA for your family to check out!
Western PA
Blue Ribbon Farms: Every summer, this full-service equestrian facility hosts Little Farmer Day Camp, giving kids an immersive experience of farm life. Campers care for small animals, like chickens, lambs and piglets, they get to feed newborn calves, ride ponies, collect eggs and make homemade food from produce grown on the farm. Camp includes crafts, games and nature walks. To register, head here. 384 Cowpath Rd., Aliquippa, PA; (412) 974-1650.
Campers at Indiana Outdoor School summer camp
Indiana Outdoor School: The week-long camps split time between Mother Earth Farm and Nature Works Farm, allowing kids to explore forest, farm and fields and hang out with sweet farm animals. Little Critters and Adventure Bugs invite kids ages 3 – 6 to explore creeks, trails and check out new creatures together while Eco Explorers and Eco Adventures dive into growing food, local ecology and kid-driven imaginative play and investigation. Read more about the camps and click to sign up here. 4420 Warren Rd., Indiana and 3741 Rr. 56 Hwy. E, Homer City; (724) 422-6827.
Central PA
A camper feeding a calf at Hameau Farm Camp
Hameau Farm: For nearly 30 years, this sleep-away camp has provided a chance for girls between the ages of 8 and 14 to spend sunshine-filled days on a working dairy farm. The camp combines traditional camp experiences, like canoeing and singing songs around a bonfire, with hands-on interaction with animals and livestock. The campers stay in cabins, work in chore groups, enjoy off-camp activities like rollerskating and swimming, and close each two-week session with a 4-H-style farm show! To enroll, head here. 6364 PA-655, Belleville, PA; (717) 667-3731.
Paulus Farm: Nestled in Central PA, Paulus Farm offers multiple day camps: Toddler for kids ages 1 – 2 with a parent, Wee Ones, for kids ages 3-5, Big Kids camp for ages 6-8 and 8-12, Family Camp for a family of four, and Junior Farmers for kids ages 12-14 who’ve been to camp in the past and want a chance to work on the farm. The other camps are focused on age-appropriate hands-on activities with farm themes, like animal exploration, farm science and gardening. For more info, see here. 1216 York St., Mechanicsburg, PA; (717) 697-4330.
A hayride at Corn Cob Acres
Corn Cob Acres: These week-long day camps for campers aged 5-10 center each day’s activities around themes like Barnyard Bash, Garden Growers, Pasture Palooza and Farm Fiesta. There’s lots of learning, crafts, play time and the opportunity to get up close with farm and grazing animals and the farming food cycle. Learn more on the Corn Cob Acres website and click here to register. 191 College Ave., Mountville; (717) 285-7748.
Camp White Stag: This nature- and agriculture-based day camp is held on 50 acres of woodlands and farmland, and gives campers ages 5 through 15 the chance to take care of livestock and plant their own gardens. There are plenty of other activities, as well, like fort-building, scavenger huts and lessons in archery and art. Nature exploration activities include plant and tree identification, hiking, and, for kids ages 12-15, shelter-building and cooking over a live fire. Find registration forms here. 146 Swendsen Rd., Tyler Hill, PA; (732) 325-7488.
Campers at Heritage Creek Farm Camp
Heritage Creek Farm Camp & Education Center: There are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors through work and play at Heritage Creek Farm. There are 2, 3 and 5-day Little Seeds Camps for ages 5-9 and weekly Farm and Forest Camps for kids ages 5-13 and the Summer Teen Program. Beyond the summer, there are a number of seasonal programs that give kids and families ways to explore the gardens, greenhouses, forest, creek and barnyard. More info is available here. 2126 Rissermill Rd., Mount Joy, PA; no phone.
LEAF Project Youth Summer Internship: The mission of LEAF (which stands for Leadership, Education And Farming) is to “cultivate youth leaders from diverse backgrounds through meaningful work in the food system.” One of the ways the organization does this is through its annual Youth Summer Internship program, which provides paid internships for teens ages 14-18 to work alongside farmers and chefs throughout a seven-week summer program. Responsibilities include planting, growing and harvesting vegetables for area restaurants and hunger relief donations, while developing culinary skills and exploring leadership and food systems topics. Find the application here. 554 Warm Springs Rd., Landisburg, PA; (717) 559-5323.
Sunken Springs: Every week brings something new at Sunken Springs Farm Day Camp! This charming farmette organizes summer day camps, meant for children ages 4-7, around different themes, including “Let’s Get Creative” and “Out and About.” The on-site educational center features farm club and other programs throughout the year! To register, head here. 1570 Brucklacher Rd., Cogan Station, PA; (570) 337-8354.
Eastern PA
The Lands at Hillside Farms: This long-running day camp is now entering its 17th season! The Lands at Hillside’s Farm’s Summer Farm Camp is open for students entering grades 1 through 8. Campers will explore and enjoy this historic 424-acre dairy farm and its barns, pastures, greenhouse and dairy processing area. There will be lots of chances for hands-on learning, including hands-on animal interactions, farm chores and hayrides. Classic camp activities, like tie-dye, water games and arts-and-crafts are included. Registration links can be found here. 65 Hillside Rd., Shavertown, PA; (570) 696-2881.
Milky Way Farm: The rolling hills of this pastoral dairy farm host Summer Day Camps and classes for preschoolers through 6th graders. Campers learn to make butter, cheese and ice cream, learn about farm animals, help with farm chores, take nature walks, make crafts and more! Head here for registration and more info. 521 E. Uwchlan Ave., Chester Springs; no phone.
A camper at Camp Garrett
Garrett Williamson: Kids immerse themselves in nature, ecology and agriculture on this 240 acre property that includes woods, a garden and a barn. Camp Garrett offers a more traditional camp experience for kids age 5-12 with arts, swimming and archery with meals incorporating fresh produce from the farm. As campers grow and learn, they can join the camp’s Agriculture Education track, open to ages 8-12, which engages them in animal care, gardening, farm chores and related ag experiences in the mornings before joining regular camp activities after lunch. Beyond the summer months, Garrett Williamson offers ongoing agriculture education like a weekly animal care program, a chore co-op, field trips and more. 395 Bishop Hollow Rd., Newtown Square; (610) 356-6210.
The Barn at Spring Brook Farm: Children ages 6-12 with special needs connect with farm animals and nature at Camp Geronimo in West Chester. The camp offers a 1:1 counselor to camper ratio, handicapped-accessible activities and an on-site nurse for medical accommodations and needs. Kids with physical disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special needs take hayrides, tend to flower and vegetable beds, feed animals and eat lunch in a treehouse. The camp is offered weekly, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can read more about it and apply here. 360 Locust Grove Rd., West Chester; (610) 793-1037.
Holly Harvest Farm: Campers ages 7-14 gain invaluable first-hand experience with resident animals and farm practices as this family-run holly farm in Barto. Kids learn about animal safety and care, ride horses, groom ponies, watch a beekeeper in action and lots more during week-long camps running 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more on the Holly Harvest Farm website and register your camper here. 50 Crescent Lane, Barto; (610) 906-2000.
Campers at Snipes Farm
- Feature photo: Hameau Farm
- Kids with potatoes photo: Heritage Creek Farm
