Summer Camps
About Camp
Our GROWers Camps are fun-filled days of growing plants, tasting vegetables, and discovering new wonders in nature! Each day, campers can expect to get their hands dirty, learn something new, taste something delicious, and make friends!
Camps are available to children ages 5-13. If your camper is 9, they can register for either camp. You get the choice to enroll them with younger campers or older campers. If you have a teen that 14+, they can still enjoy cap through our Counselors in Training Program (more details below).
Lunch and snacks are provided free of charge through Staunton City Schools’ Summer Feeding Program.
For returning campers, please note that every summer on the farm brings new opportunities for learning and adventure. While some activities remain staples, we love mixing things up and exploring new, exciting topics and activities every year!
Our History
Little GROWers Summer Camp launched in 2019 through a partnership with the Blue Ridge Children’s Museum. What began as a four-day program has tripled in size, reaching countless families. We’re grateful for the foundation that partnership helped us build and for the lasting impact it has had on our community.
Little GROWers
Ages 5-9
Explore the magic of the Project GROWS farm where lush pastures, vibrant gardens, greenhouses, streams, and shady trees await!
Campers will dive into nature’s wonders through hands-on fun while building friendships with fellow campers. From getting up close with the farm’s incredible living creatures to lending a hand with daily farm chores, there’s always something new to discover. Activities may include taste-testing fresh veggies right from the garden, searching the fields for butterflies, birds, and grasshoppers, and meeting some lovable animal friends from nearby farms!
Camp Hours: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Session 1: June 29-July 2
Session 2: July 6-9
**There are 2 sessions of Little GROWers. You are welcome to sign your camper(s) up for both weeks of camp, but please note that the activities, guest speakers, and themes will be same both weeks. If you wish to register for both weeks, you will need to submit two separate registrations.
Junior GROWers
Ages 9 - 13
Ready to take your farm camp experience to the next level? It’s time to get hands-on and explore the Project GROWS farm like never before!
Discover the incredible birds, bugs, and animals that call our farm home, all while learning from our passionate education staff and special guest instructors. Campers will delve into the natural world that keeps the farm thriving, with opportunities to participate in exciting, immersive activities that may include seed saving, pasture walks, tree identification hikes, and cooking delicious meals in our outdoor kitchen. Campers will also enjoy peaceful moments crafting in the shade, all while munching on snacks made from the fruits of their own labor!
Camp Hours: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
July 13-16
Camp Pricing
Thanks to the generous support of individual donors to the Mac Vanderploeg Scholarship Fund, we are able to offer sliding scale pricing for camp. Our tiered pricing structure is designed to make camp more accessible to a wider range of families, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to experience the joy of farm-based education and summer enrichment, regardless of their financial situation.
For all sessions of camp, you can choose to pay $200, $250, or $300 per camper based on your financial situation. All campers get the same camp experience, regardless of the price you choose.
We believe camp is for everyone and cost should never be a barrier to participation. If your family needs additional financial assistance, please complete our Scholarship Request Form and we will be in touch. We're here to help ensure every child can grow, learn, and explore with us this summer!
Counselors in Training
Our Counselors in Training (CIT) program is a fun way for teens to develop leadership skills while volunteering as junior counselors at our camps. They develop hands-on leadership and teamwork skills while assisting with camp activities and helping younger children.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at running a summer camp while observing career fields like teaching, childcare, outdoor education, and farming!
Teens (aged 14-16) interested in the CIT program should complete the application linked below.
Waynesboro Farm Camp
We partner with Waynesboro Public Schools to facilitate three weeks of Farm Camp for elementary and middle school students. Campers taste their way through the garden, help out with farm tasks, and practice making yummy snacks like spring rolls, smoothies, and salads. Guided hikes teach campers about trees, insects, and animals, and everyone participates in a Monarch butterfly release.
Farm Camp is held at the Waynesboro Education Farm. Parents and guardians should contact their student’s school counselor to register.
“My daughter now knows more than I do regarding how to grow and pick fruits and vegetables. She’s also less afraid of things, like bugs and getting dirty.”
-Camp Parent