Have you ever sat and pondered what life on a farm would be like? Have you ever attempted to imagined what it takes to live, to really survive and be nourished? You may ask, 'Isn't farming (let alone sustainability) rather intense hard work? How can laboring the land day in-and-out be joyful with the heat of the sun blanketing me in a salting sweat?! What about when it rains? Or the tracker needs fixin'?'
I have never been much of a farmer, myself. Simply because I never grew up on a farm nor spent much time interacting with the daily intricacies of one. I never grew to love the chickens that laid my morning scrambled eggs, or drank the sweet milk of my dearest goat. At night I did not cuddled up in exhaustion with my dog, who spent his days keeping the farm organized and protecting its inhabitants. Instead, I have sat and pondered, 'Have I missed out on something wonderful, something intensely joyful beneath the aching back, calloused hands, and tired bones?'While I am entering into the life of a farm for the first time with p.e.a.c.h., I am quickly realizing the truth in how much effort actually does go into sustaining a farm... and inseparable from the effort put in is an instant gratification in return. Thus, I spend my days thinking of how to get others to lavish in the splendor of the environment, our relationships with one another and ourselves.I have come to recognize that p.e.a.c.h. offers the Spokane community exactly that in so many ways. Although there are a variety of ways to engage, I would like to highlight our summer Farm Camp, dedicated to teaching children and teens the joys of sustainability and farm life...
p.e.a.c.h. Summer Farm Camps are weeklong day camps that emphasize making connections between Farm Camp communities and the camper's communities at home. Campers spend their days immersed in a hands-on, field based experience within the ecosystem of the p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm. Lessons and games cover topics such as "compost cakes", "poison Hemlock tea", "caterpillar crawls", dreamcatcher crafting, and many other permaculture techniques and principles. Our curriculum is versatile, interactive, and loads of fun. Campers are in small learning groups of a 10:1, child:counselor ratio and learning occurs Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. Respect and care for the environment and each other is the underlying theme of Farm Camp and campers are encouraged to transfer the lessons learned at Farm Camp to their own lives at home.
p.e.a.c.h. Summer Farm Camps are weeklong day camps that emphasize making connections between Farm Camp communities and the camper's communities at home. Campers spend their days immersed in a hands-on, field based experience within the ecosystem of the p.e.a.c.h. Community Farm. Lessons and games cover topics such as "compost cakes", "poison Hemlock tea", "caterpillar crawls", dreamcatcher crafting, and many other permaculture techniques and principles. Our curriculum is versatile, interactive, and loads of fun. Campers are in small learning groups of a 10:1, child:counselor ratio and learning occurs Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. Respect and care for the environment and each other is the underlying theme of Farm Camp and campers are encouraged to transfer the lessons learned at Farm Camp to their own lives at home.Spots for our camps are filling up so call today to register. Cost of participation is $200, with limited scholarships. As know you, p.e.a.c.h.'s mission is committed to providing access to low-income families, and Farm Camp is no exception. We acknowledge that children do not have any control over income and we will work with parent(s)/care provider(s) in need of assistance to get these children to be a part of a memorable experience and new relationships that will last their lifetime.
Contact Katie Trujillo 509-981-8560 for more information, inquiries, and registration. Pre-registration and payment is required to ensure a spot. More information is also found on our website www.peachlocal.com/farm-camp
