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Zestful Gardens

At Zestful Gardens our sustainable agricultural practices minimize our impact on earth and maintain delicious flavor and nutrients in our food. We practice organic farming and emphasize the holistic development and interrelationships of the soil, plants and animals as a self-sustaining system. Farming 35 acres in the Puyallup Valley, mother and daughter (and sometimes granddaughters), Valerie and Holly, tend organic vegetables, small fruits and herbs, rotating cover crops, livestock, orchard and woodland. 

Farm Camp Details

This summer Zestful Gardens is offering six weeks of good-old fun in the dirt! Facilitating connection to self, others and local farm land! Each week is individually themed and taught by experienced teachers with an expertise in their theme. In the morning we sing songs, play and learn; Camp is split into two main age groupings; "Willow" ages 6-9 and  "Cedar" ages 9-14 which allows for more age specific activities to be explored in separate locations on the farm.  Then we all meet back together for a hearty mid-morning snack of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced on-site from our working organic farm.  Farm to fork is more than a catchy phrase, the campers experience it every day! The rest of the day is filled with theme based projects, songs, stories, and free-play.

 

Farm Camp is a great way to experience a working farm. Each day offers hands-on farm activities such as: Feeding farm animals (goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep (*animals on the farm vary each year) weeding the garden, harvesting vegetables and fruit, and eating fruits and vegetables from the farm, free-play and fun with friends!  There's always something new to experience on the farm!

Snack 

 

At Farm Camp we want kids to experience delicious and healthy foods. Snacks consist mostly of organic fruits and vegetables picked fresh from Zestful Gardens accompanied by additional yummy foods prepared by a local caterer.  We know that many children have dietary considerations, and we do our best to avoid common food allergens to accommodate needs. 

Our snacks are:

  • Gluten Free, Corn Free, Dairy Free, Nut & Soy Free, and No processed Sugar (however a sugar substitute such as date, honey or coconut sugar may be used).

 

For chidlren with dietary needs that goes beyond this list, please pack a lunch/snack for them, and notify staff during daily sign-in that you have packed their own lunch, so that the right people will know to take special care of your child!  

 

Please help us reinforce our Farm Food First Rule-  we have every child try the farm food first and then they may eat home snack if needed.  We are a NUT FREE camp.  Please help us keep campers safe by providing NUT FREE snacks for your child (including almonds, cashews, peanuts etc).  A reminder that this is a snack!  Kids are playing and using up so much energy on the farm! They will be hungry by 1pm!  A big nutritious breakfast goes a long way to help them through the day, and some parents bring a snack for the ride home too! 

Aftercare

 

Aftercare will be available Monday-Friday 1-5pm.

A minimum of 4 pre-paid aftercare participants is required for the aftercare program to run each week. 

Our Aftercare options give you flexibility for your childcare needs after the camp morning, from 1-5pm.  Aftercare has a natural flow that extends the farm camp fun into the afternoon.  Campers enjoy a lunch from home, relaxing downtime, games, crafts, more time with the animals, garden tending, and farm exploration.

Aftercare Pre-pay Options: 
1) 20hrs/week (25% discount): $135/wk ($6.75/hr)
2) 10hrs/week (15% discount): $75/wk  ($7.50/hr)


Daily On-site Payment Options:  $9/hr payment by card is required upon pick-up.

Farm Camp Aftercare will incorporate movement, arts, and play inspired by the farm.  

Our flexible aftercare routine is modified according to children's needs and interests each day, while at the same time, following a basic daily rhythm throughout the weeks.

  • 1-1:20pm       Children eat lunch packed from home. Please provide a hearty nut free lunch and an additional snack for later!  Campers play hard and need a little extra!

  • 1:20-2:00pm  Free play and games. 

  • 2:00-2:30pm  Storytime, children are encouraged to rest and listen to the sounds on the farm. 

  • 2:30-3:00pm  Craft-time  (in the past we've crafted: dream catchers, painting rocks, decorating sticks, flower windows etc.)

  • 3:00-4:30pm  Children continue to craft or play. Play can be free or organized group games/ group yoga/dance/sing. 

  • 4:30-5:00pm  Clean-up space.  

Farm Camp Rules

 

Please help us reinforce these rules by reviewing at home.  This will greatly help your child's fun and safety on the farm!

 

1. Stay inside the white fence with a teacher at all times.

2. Farm tools and equipment are for the farmers only.

3. Some fences are electric, please take care.

4. Show kindness towards the animals, please do not scare them by running, shouting, throwing things at animals or nests etc. 

5. Three kids in trees at a time. Only climb limbs bigger than wrists.

6. Please do not pick Blueberries surrounding the Farm Camp Yard. When they are ripe, there will be an opportunity.

7. Wash hands often.  Especially when returning from the farm walks.

8. One child on tire swing at a time.  Bandana tied on rope means that the swing is closed.

9. Farm Food First- home snacks follow everyone trying farm food first.

Summer Camp Tacoma

What to Bring to Camp

 

A healthy, hearty snack will be provided daily. Please provide any food allergy information with your registration. Children in aftercare will be asked to bring lunch and an afternoon snack.

Please bring to camp: 

  • Sunscreen (applied)

  • Sunhat

  • Change of clothes

  • Water bottle

  • Sturdy footwear - Sandals are not suitable farm footwear

Cancellation Policy

 

We know summer plans can change!  Here's our refund policy:  

  • 4 weeks in advanced 75% money back (with a $25 processing fee)

  • 2 weeks in advanced 50% money back (with a $25 processing fee)

  • No money back within a week

Please email us directly, should you need a refund.

(Manually removing items from your cart will not trigger an automatic refund.) 

Aftercare
Rules
What to bring
Snack
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