Terhune Orchards offers two summer camp programs for children ages 7 to 12. Experience life on the farm and become a farmer for the week. Activities blend learning, doing, and of course fun! Campers will explore the Children’s Garden, orchards, and barnyard here on our family farm. They will harvest and eat their own “Jersey Fresh” snacks from fruits and vegetables they pick. There is nothing like eating what you grow!
Terhune camps are certified by the State of New Jersey Youth Camp Standards. Camp sessions meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Register early. Space is limited. For additional details or questions, call the Farm Store at 609-924-2310 or visit terhuneorchards.com.
Farm Camp.
This hands-on program includes a variety of activities, games, crafts and field trips that will teach the campers about farm life in two one-week sessions. Activities include visiting Terhune Orchards’ fields to pick fruits and vegetables, which campers then prepare for healthy snacks, becoming friends with our animals, including gathering eggs, feeding all the animals, studying insects, identifying trees on the nature trail, water quality, discovering nature in the Children’s garden (planting, caring and harvesting), to name a few.
Hiking the Farm Trail, exploring the Stony Brook, and a trip to the Howell Living History Farm to compare a modern family farm to practices at the turn of the century provide additional fun activities for the campers.
Farm Camp is directed by Elaine Madigan, Terhune Orchards Education Director. Sessions: July 8 to July 12; July 15 to July 19.
Farm Explorers Camp.
Campers will have a full week of activities focused around planting, caring for, and harvesting in Terhune Orchards’ Children’s Garden as well as orchards and fields. Topics cover garden preparation and planting, tool safety, weeding, watering, plant types, and harvesting. Campers will harvest from among the 35 different crops grown at Terhune Orchards. They also go behind the scenes into understanding the machinery, animals, chores, crops, and business of running a farm.
Children will study insects and pollinators, take a nature hike, and learn about water cycles. They will also explore the farm’s natural habitats, wildlife, and ecology to understand the environmental context of the farm. We also make sure to bring in a historical perspective to see how farming began and compare to where it is today. Throughout we play games, do activities, and keep learning fun!
Future Farmers Gardening Camp leader John Emmons is an elementary educator with more than a decade experience teaching science, environmental and garden education in Central New Jersey. He holds a BS in environmental planning and master’s in teaching (elementary education specialization).
Sessions: July 22 to July 26; July 29 to August 2; August 5 to August 9.
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. www.terhuneorchards.com. 609-924-2310.
