Farm Camp - Week 1 Registration
5/19-22 Animal Adventures
BACKGROUND
Anna Maria and Lucian started Sun and Bloom Farms (formerly Desert Bloom Farm) 6 years ago as a central meeting place for community education and growing nutritious food. Both have more than a decade-long professional career in education and agriculture in business, academic, government and non-profit environments. They created both individually and together a myriad of small and large community engagement programs, farm to table events, culinary educational workshops, college courses in horticulture and permaculture as professors, permaculture designs and consultations, workshop and courses, garden based curriculum, and of course different size farms. Through their work, children have always been a focal point. They have known that all their efforts put into regenerative farming, sustainability education, and community enrichment was not just for the current generation, but for future generations as well. The health and well being of all children has always been a high priority to ensure a thriving future for all. So Farm Camp was birthed to inspire, empower and support the healthy development of children, the leaders of our common regenerative future.
OUR APPROACH
Sun and Bloom Farms is pleased to offer Farm Camp as the next step in their commitment to community stewardship. While the farm operates as a fully functional market garden operation, it provides the perfect backdrop for nature based learning. The goals of Farm Camp is to provide open spaces for children to grow in knowledge, foster a sense of wonder for the natural world, and cultivate understanding of themselves and their peers. While Anna Maria and Lucian uphold Christsian values in their home and lives, the curriculum of Farm Camp will not be religious based, allowing for acceptance of a diverse array of students and families.
Our curriculum emerges with signals from the season. As farmers, we shift our daily work based upon the season progression. Children are naturally curious about the environment and we let their natural discoveries guide our explorations and activities. Our program includes a balance of teacher-directed and child-directed activities. Teacher-directed activities include group meeting/circle time, projects, crafts, walks, and science experiments. The remainder of our program time is centered on child-directed activities in our learning dome (gross motor play, blocks, easel, dramatic play, sensory bins, mud kitchen, books, etc. Our curriculum focuses on the experience and children being in the moment. We encourage imaginative, collaborative play for children of all ages.
Our camp days are spent outdoors, rain or shine. Our students come to camp prepared for all of the elements. Our farm is a beautiful space and our students engage with the environment and build knowledge in deep and meaningful ways. Families are our partners and ensure children are properly dressed for the weather each day. We see a direct correlation between how dirty and messy children get and how happy they feel.
We built this program for our own children and yours too. We know investing in our children and their future is one of our greatest tasks! A well worthy cause!
Farm Camp Schedule Summer 2025
During Farm Camp, children will move through activities throughout the day that will encourage critical thinking, cooperation, team work, creativity, and of course fun. Activities will include interactions with farm animals, making meals straight from the garden, playing in the soil, building bird houses just to name a few.
For the 2025 summer season, Farm Camp is eligible for children 3 - 8 years of age. Children must be potty trained, able to use the bathroom without assistance. If your child is not potty trained, a parent must stay onsite with the group during the duration of camp.
Registration, which you will find below, is for full a week attendance (Monday - Thursday). At this time we cannot offer a drop in registration by the day.
In order to ensure a stellar experience for campers, we are maxing attendance at 12 campers per week.
All weekly sessions run Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Farm Camp is held at Sun and Bloom Farms
18125 Jaybird Lane, Lebanon, MO 65536
Themes for each week:
- May 19-22 Animal adventures
- May 26-29 Plant pioneers: Local and Native Botany
- June 9-12 Insect Investigation
- June 16-19 Outdoor Cooking and Seasonal Ingredients
- June 23-26 Plant pioneers: In the Vegetable Garden
- July 14-17 Animal adventures
- July 21-24 Plant pioneers: Herbalism and Foraging for Children
- July 28-31 Water Works
- Aug 11-14 Plant pioneers: In the Vegetable Garden (All student / family pizza party)
- Aug 18-21 Water Works (Laclede county starts school)
- Aug 25-28 Animal adventures
- Sep 8-11 Outdoor Cooking and Seasonal Ingredients
- Sep 15-18 Plant pioneers: Herbalism and Foraging for Children
- Sep 22-25 Plant pioneers: Local and Native Botany
Sample schedule:
8:30- 8:45 Welcome & games
8:50-9:15 rotation 1 lesson / routine things
9:20-9:45 rotation 2 (more physical play) walk, visit to garden, animals
9:50-10:15 rotation 3 art/craft
10:20-10:40 snack break and play (more physical play)
10:45-11:10 rotation 4 layer 2 of lesson
11:15-11:40 rotation 5 (more physical play) game, another walk
11:45-12:00 wrap up activity
12:00 -12:30 lunch and pick up
DROP OFF/PICK UP
Drop-off begins at 8:15 am. Caregivers are required to sign their child in. Check in is by the Farm Store. If you arrive after 8:30 am, please accompany your child to the play area and sign them in. Please be sure that the child has used the toilet before leaving for school.
The class will remain in the play area until 12:15 pm then go to the pick up area. Children may be picked up no later than 12:35 pm, and sign-out is required. We are not able to support late pick-up. Only the caregivers or emergency contacts listed on the child’s registration form will be allowed to pick up your child. In the event an alternate person needs to pick up your child, the family must contact the teacher prior to the start of the program for that day. All persons who are not the parent/guardian of the child will be required to show their identification.
Caregivers are also welcomed to stay with their campers for the day. In fact, we appreciate it! All caregivers will be given a “Caregiver Handbook” for simple guidelines on how best to support the instructor and group that day. We ask that caregivers allow the instructor to facilitate the activities, help keep campers together, and support in activities as needed. All caregivers must abstain from using their phones during the session.
PROGRAM FEES
Registration is for each week, which is 4 days, Monday - Thursday.
We are offering a sliding scale pricing, which allows for some flexibility for families who need some assistance. Please choose what you can pay based upon the following:
- Mason Bee - $75 / week per child: for families who cannot pay the full price
- Honey Bee - $100 / week per child: for those who can pay a little more
- Carpenter Bee - $125 / week per child: is the actual full price
- Bumble Bee - $150 / week per child: the full price plus extra to sponsor another child
Siblings receive a 10% discount. Use discount code “SIBLING” at checkout.
VERY IMPORTANT: HOW TO REGISTER AND PAY
First:
Choose your Pay Level
Second:
Choose Quantity and select the number of children you are registering
Third:
After filling out your payment information add the following information in the comment section: Name and age of each child you are registering, and any other information you could share about them that will help us care for them right.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
We are accepting sponsorships for children who are financially unable to attend. You can select this option at the registration button below. Sponsorship is $125 each.
A limited amount of funds and partial scholarships are available each week to families requiring financial assistance with program costs. Please ask Anna Maria Desipris for an application (email info@sunandbloomfarms or call 775.742.7055). The scholarship application is confidential and based on the honor system (no financial statements needed). Families are asked to reapply each summer. Applications are reviewed and awarded based on fund availability and determination of need. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis while funds remain.
SCREENS AND TECHNOLOGY
For the safety and assurance of all families, cell phone use will not be allowed during session each day. Farm Camp instructors may be taking photos for our marketing, but campers and caregivers will not be allowed to use phones during the session. We understand some children may have them in backpacks, we kindly ask the phones stay there until children are outside the check in/check out table.
CLOTHING AND SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
Each day children are required to bring a backpack marked clearly ((Backpacks with outside drink holders for easy access are recommended) with their child’s name and the following items:
- A dry change of (weather appropriate) clothing in a zip lock or water proof bag
- Bug spray and sunscreen (Children should come prepared with bug spray and sunscreen already applied.)
- A FULL water bottle with easy to access top
- A packed lunch
- Please note we cannot facilitate the distribution of medication while campers are in session
Clothing that can be covered in mud, paint, sand, and other materials of outdoor learning are necessary every day! Please no fancy clothing or costumes. Children also need comfortable and protective shoes with gripping soles for running, jumping, and climbing. Exposed toes and shoes that slip off easily are not allowed. Layers of clothing for changing weather may be needed throughout the day.
If you need assistance in acquiring the recommended clothing, please let us know.
WEAPONS POLICY
No student or caregivers, shall possess, use or distribute a weapon when on the Sun and Bloom Farm property. The definition of a weapon includes, but is not limited to, any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or any device such as a knife, pellet gun, air gun or BB gun, that is designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or great bodily harm. No toy guns, swords, or knives are allowed. We will ask that children do not pretend to shoot or otherwise injure another human.
RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
We practice the utmost respect for nature. For this reason, we will adhere to the following practices:
- Stay in designated learning areas only. Children are less likely to encounter poisonous plants, snakes or ticks.
- Consider the need before picking or destroying live plants, mushrooms, leaves, flowers, or limbs. Always ask an instructor before picking.
- Do not purposely harm any live animals.
- Practice Leave No Trace: Pick up all trash and erase any evidence of human activity if possible.
- Minimize the use of plastic, single use items, and disposables. Including in packed lunches. (trash, recycling, and compost are practiced on the farm)
SNACK AND FOOD POLICY
Children are welcome to bring snacks to have during the program, please pack appropriate and healthy options. We will also provide a snack for designated snack time. Snacks will be most likely something from the farm or an organic store bought option. We urge families to provide children with a filling breakfast before Farm Camp. Children will be required to use the handwashing station before eating a snack. We encourage reusable containers and waste-free snacks. Sharing food and drinks will not be allowed. In the event your family wants to share a snack or treat for a birthday or special occasion, please let the teacher know beforehand so we can clear it with the other families. Please do not bring allergen foods like tree nuts.
HAZARDS POLICY, INCLUDING INSECTS, TICKS, POISONOUS PLANTS
This is a fully functioning, working farm. Children will not be allowed to meander through active work areas where equipment is being used. However, it is plausible that shovels, irrigation tubes, rakes etc may be present. There are also active honeybee hives onsite. IF your child has an EPI-PEN allergy to honeybees, please notify us at registration. There may also be contact with other stinging insects, ticks, or poison ivy.
By enrolling your children in Farm Camp, families understand the hazards and risks associated with an all-outdoor program and release SUN AND BLOOM FARMS from any liability. Families will need to sign liability waivers before the start of each Farm Camp week.
BY REGISTERING YOUR CHILD AND YOURSELF AS THEIR GUARDIAN TO THIS EVENT YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:
I, in consideration of the services provided by SUN AND BLOOM FARMS, its agents, participants, employees, and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on its behalf (hereinafter collectively referred to as “SUN AND BLOOM FARMS"), hereby agree to release SUN AND BLOOM FARMS, as follows:
1. I acknowledge and understand that participation in a course, workshop or any event provided by Sun And Bloom Farms is purely voluntary, and I elect to individually participate at my own risk, and be completely responsible for my own child or children I am bringing to participate.
2. I agree to release and hold harmless Sun And Bloom Farms from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my participation, and my own child or children that I am bringing to participate in courses, workshops, events or activities at Sun And Bloom Farms.
3. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damages I or my own child or children might suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injuries or damages myself. I further certify that I am willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition I or my child, or children, may have.
4. I realize that any photos or videos taken of me or my child, or children, during any courses, workshops or events become property of Sun And Bloom Farms and may be used in marketing materials used online or in print worldwide. I realize there will be no compensation for the use of said photos or videos. I hereby irrevocably consent to and authorize the use by Sun And Bloom Farms, of any and all photographs, video, voice recordings, or other media taken of me or my child including derivative works thereof (collectively, the “Images”), and any reproduction of them in any form in any media whatsoever, whether now known or hereafter created, throughout the world in perpetuity. I understand and agree that Images and Videos using my likeness will become property of Sun And Bloom Farms and will not be returned. I also consent to and authorize the use by Sun And Bloom Farms of the Images and Videos for commercial gain. If I do not want pictures taken of me or my children, I will communicate that in advance via email.
By registering your children to this program you accept the terms of this agreement on this description, and acknowledge that you had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. You have read and understood it, agree to be bound by its terms, and consent to your child's participation in the Sun And Bloom Farms offerings.