We are the longest established “farm school” program in SWVA
We started our summer camp shenanigans with Farm School (we were the first farm in our area to offer this!) in 2019 with a FREE spring break camp for our local kiddos. That brought over 100 attendees and we quickly realized the need for an outlet for our kids! We started formally offering a camp for kids, incorporating horseback riding lessons with classic childhood experiences on the farm like playing in the creek and taking walks in the woods.
We taught (and still teach) our kids about maintenance of animals - from shearing our alpacas to vaccinating the goats, giving bottles to calves and raising up colts! - and unplug them from screens while giving them responsibilities such as raking up the barn, giving hay to the animals, and more. Our camps also include horse-drawn wagon rides, arts and crafts for a break from the heat or in the event of inclement weather, and more.
Each week, our curriculum is about the same - we aim to allow all campers to experience the same things whether they come to one week or ten weeks. Because of availability, some campers may experience different things than others during different weeks (for instance, our alpaca shearers only come on one day so that is an experience only one week of campers will have) but we promise to give them as MUCH as we can and if your child comes one week or for the whole summer, they will have an incredible experience every time and they will never be bored!
Our program allows children ages 6-10 to experience farm life! Here at SVF, it is our mission to get children outside and involved in all aspects of farm life, creating memorable experiences that let your children feel like they’re growing up on a farm, all in just a few hours each day. We aim to send them home a little dirty, a lot tired, and with a big smile and a bigger love for agriculture!
Over 10??? Check out Cowpoke College!
We’re not just a “riding school” – we offer a unique blend of horseback riding lessons and the joy of classic childhood adventures, like splashing around in the creek and exploring the woods. Our kids get hands-on experience with caring for animals, from shearing our fluffy alpacas to giving vaccinations to our goats, feeding calves with bottles, and even helping to raise colts!
FAQs
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Farm School is catered for children 6-10 and our Cowpoke College is for teens 11 and up.
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Farm School and Cowpoke College are both Monday-Friday 8am-3pm. Programs run weekly from June 1st thru July 31st.
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Both Farm School and Cowpoke College are $150/week per child. (financial assistance is available)
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Pack a lunch Monday-Thursday (Pizza is provided on Fridays)
Please send plenty of snacks daily (popsicles are provided daily)
Bring a refillable water bottle
You must wear closed toe shoes every day!
Pack sunscreen (we will help apply) and hats
Swimwear/towel to go in the creek
Make sure to bring crocs or water shoes to wear in the creek.
Complete change of clothes
Farm School Counselor
“Hi! My name is Candice and I have been managing the Spring Valley Farm School program since 2019. Being a mom and taking excellent care of kiddos is my passion! I am a momma to four boys; ages 19, 13, 12 and 8. During the school year, you can find me working as a paraprofessional in our county's school system. My family and I have been a part of the SVF family here for many years. I've seen the incredible positive influence that the farm life has had on my family and so many other families around us. I can't wait to share this amazing lifestyle with your children!”