What are the dates and times of the camp?
The day will run from 8AM until 4PM Monday through Friday.
The camp will consist of the 10 summer weeks from Monday June 9th through Friday August 15th, with a few days off in the summer for family vacation. Please see the schedule tab for more information!
What activities will be provided at camp?
At Farm Friends, we will have a wonderful balance of guided activities and free exploration/play, all with a nature focus!
Guided activities this summer will include the following:
Creation and management of a pollinator garden.
Caring for chickens, sheep, kittens, and Lloyd the farm pug. This year, we are hoping to add rabbits to our list of animals to care for, and will also be hatching our own chicks.
Nature inspired crafts, snack creation, and games.
Guest speakers from the community sharing their knowledge and special projects, on everything from tree house building to using a loom to weave wool!
Mini-lessons on foraging, insects, farm plants, farm animals, and much more (age dependent)!
Potential rides (guided by a licensed adult) in or on farm equipment.
A daily read aloud. (plug: join the Red Wing Public Library in logging your hours read on Beanstalk! This will add a fun twist to our read-aloud!)
Free play opportunities will include the following:
Water play with a multitude of sprinklers, splash pads, and slip and slides.
Trampoline and playground play.
New activities such as a gaga-ball pit, basketball hoop, and slack line.
Hiking, climbing, and fort building in the woods.
Indoor play with crafting supplies, cardboard creations, Legos, gymnastics equipment and more!
Who runs Farm Friends?
Mandy Williams is in her 16th year as a licensed teacher, and has professional teaching and daycare experience with every age from 3 months old to seniors in high school. She has her diploma in Montessori Education for Upper Elementary, and is an avid hobby farmer and nature enthusiast. Her two children, ages 7 and 5, will be attending camp daily!
Our preferred ratio of campers to guide is 1:10, so on days with 10-20 campers a second guide will be on site. Tina Duerkop is an experienced Montessori teacher and signed on to be a part time guide this summer. Deanna Gehloff is an experienced Montessori assistant and paraprofessional who will also be a part time guide this summer.
What safety precautions will be taken at camp?
Mandy has taken a CPR, AED, and First Aid course through the Creekstone Montessori, and will have a full first aid/CPR kit on site, including ice packs, thermometers, a choking rescue device and wound cleaning solution. Children will be supervised at all times, and clear, age-appropriate guidelines will be given to children upon the introduction of each new activity. Any injury will be reported to parents/guardians promptly!
What can I expect from Farm Friends as far as parent/guardian communication?
The goal is to communicate with provided cell numbers/emails at the end of the week to give an update of that week’s activities and to share photos from our time together. Pick up and drop off times are also great moments of adult connection! Otherwise, you can always reach out via email, text, or phone call as questions, concerns, or comments arise.
What is the cost of Farm Friends?
1 child in attendance: $50 per day.
Sibling rates:
2 children in attendance: $45 per day, per child.
3 or more children in attendance: $40 per day, per child.
Cash, Checks made out to Williams Farm Friends or Venmo is preferred.
What should my child wear and bring?
Children should be appropriately dressed for the weather and for getting dirty! Our days may often consist of multiple activities that require different attire: water play, woods and playground play, indoor play, and time spent in animal pens.
Water play: For the sprinklers and water slide please provide a swimsuit along with sun protection, towel, and sunscreen.
Woods play: Your preferred bug spray, close-toed shoes, and layers.
Animal pens: Muck boots (rain boots) are preferred, but are optional. Additional clothing in case of animal accidents should be packed daily!
Indoor play: a comfy pair of indoor shoes is great to keep our floors clean enough to play on.
If you are unsure what to pack for any given day, contact Mandy the night before to get more detailed camp plans!
Please send your child with a lunch bag consisting of a lunch meal and snacks if wanted. Try to include lunches that involve all food groups, and snacks of healthy options, with processed foods and sugar content limited. In true Montessori fashion, at the designated lunchtime all children will be encouraged to set the table and will be encouraged to support our Farm Friends community through cleaning up after eating.
How do I choose which days my child will attend?
If you are new to Farm Friends, please visit the “New to Farm Friends” tab in order to connect with Williams Farm, get access to necessary paperwork, and ask any questions you have. Then, you can go to the “Schedule Camp Time” page in order to choose your dates of attendance.
If you have attended Farm Friends in the past, you can go straight to the scheduling page to choose your days of attendance. Every day will be new and have different activities planned, so there is no such thing as attending too often! If you and your child are interested in particular activities, please see the calendar page for more information on special activities and events as summer comes closer.
You can schedule your child up to the day of attendance if there are spaces available, but we would appreciate 24 hour notice of cancellation if possible.
Can we bring some farm goodies home with us?
Yes! We will always have farm fresh eggs, homemade vanilla, jams, apple butter, and beeswax products (lotion bars, chapstick, etc.) for sale inside the Farm Friends building. See Mandy for details on how to purchase during pick up and drop off!
“When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength.”
-Maria Montessori