Summer Camp

Summer Camp on the Farm

Summer Camp on the Farm offers children a joyful blend of classic childhood summer fun and meaningful connection to the land. Days are filled with creek splashing, dirt digging, bug catching, swinging on the playset, and wide-open freedom to explore.

Children experience the farm in action—hiking the cornfields, feeding chickens and ducks, observing cattle, and participating in simple, age-appropriate farm chores. We offer themed weeks that allow children to explore different parts of our campus more deeply. One example is Orchard Week, where campers pick fruit, cook with it, climb apple trees, learn about the life cycle of apple and pear trees, meet the orchard farmers, and observe cider pressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

We are located on a local family farm, Henley’s Orchard, in Crozet, Virginia. You can find us on Google Maps and Apple Maps as “The Compass Center Foundation”

What does a typical camp day look like?

Each day follows a gentle, predictable rhythm:

•    Morning activity stations in the garden and play spaces (art, sensory play, water play, games)
•    A short farm hike to visit animals and participate in simple farm chores
•    Organic lunch
•    Afternoon indoor activity aligned with the weekly theme
•    Outdoor stories and games in the shade to close the day

This balance of movement, creativity, and rest helps children stay regulated and engaged.

Are there any changes from last year's program?

Yes. We’re making a few thoughtful updates to enhance the camp experience for children and families:
    •    Smaller group size: Daily attendance will be capped at 16 children to allow for more individualized attention and a calmer camp environment.
    •    Meals: We will provide a nourishing organic lunch each day. Families are asked to pack morning and afternoon snacks.
    •    Extended care: Early drop-off and late pick-up are available from 9:00 AM–5:30 PM and must be reserved for the full week.
    •    Extended care fee: The cost for early/late care is $105 per week.

These changes allow us to better support children, staff, and the rhythm of our days together.

What kinds of activities will my child do?

Children enjoy a mix of:

    •    Free outdoor play and exploration
    •    Creek and water play (weather permitting)
    •    Animal care and farm observation
    •    Nature crafts and sensory activities
    •    Gardening, hiking, and storytelling

All activities are age-appropriate, optional, and guided with care.

What are themed weeks?

Each week has a gentle theme that allows children to explore one area of the farm more deeply. For example, Orchard Week may include fruit picking, cooking, tree climbing, learning about plant life cycles, meeting farmers, and observing cider pressing. Themes guide activities but never limit free play.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. We provide a nourishing organic lunch each day. Families will receive information in advance about menus, ingredients, and how we accommodate common dietary needs. Parents must provide morning and afternoon snacks. We ask that you aim to provide snacks that are well-rounded with protein, carbohydrates and fats, to fuel your child through the day. Fresh and dried fruits, jerky, crackers, cheese and trail mix are all really good options. 

What should my child bring?

Families will receive a detailed packing list, but generally children should come with:

    •    Weather-appropriate clothing that can get dirty
    •    Closed-toe summer shoes with heel straps (like keens, sneakers or crocs)
    •    A hat
    •    A water bottle
    •    Any required personal items

We strongly encourage sending clothing suitable for messy, joyful outdoor play.

Is the camp outdoors all day?

Most of the day is spent outdoors. In the afternoon, we move indoors for rest, cooling down, and quieter activities. Shade, water, and hydration breaks are built into the day.

How do you handle safety on the farm?

Safety is a top priority. Children are closely supervised at all times, farm activities are carefully selected to be age-appropriate, and staff provide clear guidance around animals, tools, and boundaries. Our environment encourages respect for nature while maintaining strong safety practices.

What is the staff-to-child ratio?

We maintain small group sizes with attentive adult supervision to ensure children feel safe, supported, and known. We enroll no more than 6 children per staff member.

What are staff credentials and training?

The safety and well-being of children is our top priority. All summer camp team members are reference-checked, CPR and First Aid certified and complete sexual abuse awareness training and background checks through MinistrySafe.

Each season, staff participate in a half-day summer camp orientation and training, which includes refreshers on farm safety, animal interactions, and hot weather protocols. In addition, the majority of our team members are returning staff with two or more years of experience on our campus, bringing consistency, familiarity, and care to the camp environment.

What if my child has never been on a farm before?

That’s perfectly okay! Many children arrive with little or no farm experience. Activities are introduced gently, and children are always encouraged—not forced—to participate.

What is your philosophy around behavior and discipline?

We use a gentle, relationship-based approach that emphasizes emotional regulation, clear boundaries, and respectful communication. Our expectation is for children to show kindness, understanding and respect to each other and our team members. Our goal is to help children feel safe, capable, and connected through our modeling of this kind of behavior. You can view our Aggressive Behavior Policy right here. You can view our Bullying Policy right here. 

How do I register?

Registration details, session dates, and pricing can be found on our Application Page and on the Summer Camp Application Form. Spaces are limited and tend to fill quickly. We recommend registering before May 1st.

Who can I contact with additional questions?

We’re happy to help. Please reach out to us using our contact info here: www.compasscenterlearning.org/contact and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Ages and Participation

Our summer camp is open to children ages 3–8 who are independent bathroom users.

Children ages 9 and up are invited to participate as Junior Camp Counselors, assisting with camper activities, supporting farm chores, and learning hands-on skills in garden care and kitchen programs.

The cost is the same for both age groups. Junior Camp Counselors will spend the first hour of the first day going through a quick orientation and then will be paired up with a staff member and additional Junior Camp Counselors to rotate through various responsibilities throughout the day. More details can be found below.

Daily Flow

Our camp days follow a predictable, calming rhythm while leaving plenty of room for curiosity, creativity, and free play.

Morning Arrival & Outdoor Play
Children arrive and ease into the day with open-ended activity stations in our garden and play spaces. Options may include art and crafts, sensory bins, sprinkler or water play, climbing, imaginative games, and free exploration.

Farm Hike & Animal Care
Mid-morning, we head out on a short guided farm hike. Children visit animals, observe farm life in action, and participate in simple, age-appropriate chores such as feeding chickens or watering plants.

Organic Lunch
After a busy morning, children gather to enjoy a nourishing organic lunch together. This is a time to rest, connect, and refuel.

Indoor Cool-Down & Themed Activity
In the early afternoon, we move indoors to cool off and enjoy a quieter activity connected to the week’s theme. These activities may include cooking projects, crafts, storytelling, or hands-on learning experiences.

Afternoon Outdoor Wind-Down
We end the day outdoors with stories, songs, and gentle games in the shade, allowing children to transition calmly before pickup.

Our Culture and Expectations

At Summer Camp on the Farm, we strive to create a gentle, engaging, and respectful environment where children can explore, grow, and feel supported. Our team puts great care into creating meaningful days for the children, and the experience is richest when families feel connected and informed.

We warmly invite parents to engage with us—ask questions, share thoughts, and offer feedback. Open communication helps us care for your child in the best way possible, and we value your partnership.

Our campus is a working farm, which means children will encounter real farm elements such as animals, compost, uneven ground, tall grass, metal fencing, mud, and rain puddles. These experiences are part of the learning and adventure, and they require children to have a bit of grit, stamina, and curiosity. We ask families to support this by sending children in weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes, and by approaching the experience with flexibility and trust.

We are committed to fostering a culture of kindness, safety, and mutual respect among children and adults. We use a gentle, relationship-based approach to guidance and set clear boundaries around behavior. Aggressive behavior—including cursing, threats, or physical harm—is not permitted. You can review our full Aggressive Behavior Policy right here.

Thank you for being part of a community that values respect, resilience, and joyful learning outdoors.

Junior Camp Counselors

Details Coming Soon!