When I arrived at this camp, I didn't know what to expect. It was alot different from my city life I live in Chicago. The first things I realized when I got there was that the people were friendlier, the look was prettier, and the air smelt natural like animals. Every step I took to the barn (the first day) the excitement grew inside me! I looked forward to Penney's hot chocolate and Richard's bedtime stories every night! Kids my age taught me things I did not know I was capable of! The chores taught me important life facts not only about myself but about farm life as well! I am 12 turning 13 in January and was extatic when I was invited to return as an older camper! This camp is for kids of all ages, not just older kids like me! I never got bored with all the fun activities like milking goats, picking berries, playing with bunnies and one of my favorites, catching frogs! This camp was an amazing experience and I look very forward to returning this summer!
Both of our children have attended the Country School Farm for seven years each. The experience has been exceptional for both of them, creating a deep sense of self-confidence and an ability to work with animals in ways that few children experience in today's world. Our son, now a freshman in college, still looks back on his time at the Farm as one of the most formative in his life, and our daughter, age 12, takes real pride in her ability to milk the goats by hand at 6:00 in the morning. Richard and Penney, and their family, have created a safe and creative environment full of experiences that will last a lifetime.
My 2 daughters have been attending the Barkers' Country School Farm for 5 year in a row. It is their favorite week of the summer and at the top of their wish list every year. They refer to the farm often throughout the year. This past summer, my daughter went for 2 weeks. She is already saving her money to be able to go for 2 weeks again next summer. This is not your typical camp, but rather a wonderful opportunity for children to experience a sense of independence and adventure in a simple, country setting. The farm is a home-away-from-home for my daughters. They have the opportunity to work on the farm, to learn from their peers and to take leadership roles if and when they are ready. We are truly grateful for the Barkers and the very unique summer farm experience they have provided for our children!
My daughter has attended this camp for three years in a row. She is packing a month before we drive to Charm every year! She loves the unstructured time to be a child and be a part of the natural world. I love that she can spend a week with no electronics. She especially loves the sleeping porches, Penny's hot cocoa, and spending time with the animals. I found it funny the first year she returned she told me that she was up each morning at 5 to go and milk the goats. She then had oatmeal, honey and goat milk for breakfast. If I had told her to get up for chores at home and fed her oatmeal for breakfast she would have balked! When I dropped her off the first year there was not even a look over her shoulder as she made her way to the house. When I returned the first year I expected her to come running to me for a hug. Instead, she began relating the weeks events to her brother and told me where her bags were located! This is a wonderful place!
My Daughter has gone to the Barker's for 4 summers. She is 14 and had two sessions as a 'regular' camper and 3 sessions (2 in one year) as an 'older' camper who worked with the younger children. Like others have said - this is her very favorite time of the year. But this camp is different - but in an incredibly special way. The Barkers have been running their home camp for many years and they have extensive backgrounds in education. This camp is designed with intention and thoughfulness for our children. My daughter raved about the food and the activities and the quiet time on the farm and really appreciated that external influences, books, electronics, talk of your life outside the farm, etc, was discouraged. It teaches kids to be present in a quieter world. The first year my daughter was at camp, she fell and had to get checked for a concussion - the Barkers were fantastic in handling the situation, caring for her, and keeping us informed. I neve worry when she is there.
The Country School Farm has been the most amazing place for my daughter, age 8 1/2. She has attended camp here for 3 years and cannot wait to continue until they kick her out:) Attendance to camp is always the only gift on her Christmas wish list. The Barkers are a wonderful family, the farm is clean, the animals well cared for and the entire experience is life changing. Unlike other camps we have attended, The Country School Farm excels on building individuality, freedom, respect for both people, animals and nature and reminds kids to slow down and take the time to smell the roses. In today's busy, media driven technological society, kids are often "lost" in the shuffle of the high demands of life. In addition, we live in a world of "excess". The Country School Farm teaches kids to love themselves, their surroundings and the simple things in life and not be caught up in all of the unnecessary evils of our world. This is an amazing unique camp!
I attended this camp as a child from ages 10-13, now my daughter(11) is looking forward to her 4th year.While it was a life-changing experience for me,& my daughter says every year that she would rather have one week at The Farm than all her Christmas presents, it is NOT a camp for everyone. Children at The Farm are safely supported & encouraged but not coddled. The philosophy of the Barkers is very much in line with Montessori Education, so if you are comfortable with that The Farm will make sense to you. If you are used to Scouting or Religious based summer camps this will be very different. The Farm is an adventure into a more meaningful existence. While there are not "activities", there is work that needs to be done. Successfully accomplishing this work fills Farm children with awe at nature, science & their own ability to affect their environment. Other kids might prefer to be entertianed & scheduled, they will not thrive at The Farm. You know your child best.
My daughter is 10 and has attended the camp for 3 summers. She loves it. This camp is for kids who love close contact with animals and the outdoors and don't want or need a ton of adult micromanagement - like a Montessori school. She loves being "with" the farm animals and not just looking at them from behind a fence. It is not for kids who want organized sports or other modern overblown adult-organized activities. It is simple and old-fashioned, which is why my daughter felt relaxed there - not overwhelmed. She always had plenty to eat. The camp carries the spirit of the Amish area surrounding it - simple pleasures and a relaxed pace. I think it is a good break from the over-stimulation (tv, video games, sports, etc.) of modern life for kids.
I went to visit the Barkers for this farm experience when I was a child & our children go every summer. Our daughter, 12, just finished her 7th summer, and our son, 8, his 2nd. It is their favorite week of the year. Every year, they start to plan next year's visit as soon as they get into the car. The Barkers send pictures of the animals and land throughout the year & the kids can't wait to see them. Yes, the Barkers ask children not to sing pop culture songs because they ask children to be present at the farm in their hearts and body - they can listen to music & watch TV & surf the internet anywhere - they can only experience the farm for that one week. The meals are far from meager - they eat from the land & have a strong connection to the foods they are eating. True, they don't go inside except at bedtime because they are there to experience farm life, not hang out in the bunkroom. This experience is an incredible opportunity and the world is lucky to have The Barkers in it!
Now that I have observed the reactions of three different children who have spent time with the Barker family, I am amazed at how each one receives exactly what he/she needs out of the experience. Their lives would not be complete without it.
I am a parent. My child, age 7, returned from this camp begging to never go again. She has a simple, ordered life at home and is a hard worker. She did not have "fun." They were told not to sing, from what I can glean this was at all times. They were not permitted indoors except to sleep. They were fed meals that sound meager and not particularly healthy (saltine type crackers, cheese, fruit, and trail bologna for lunch every day). If your kids already can garden and bake bread at home, this program is of little value to you. Of additional concern, they take children as young as 6, yet did not once remind my child to apply sunscreen (but she is not sunburnt). She states that there was no adult instruction or oversight of goat milking, egg collecting, or bunny care- other campers were the teachers. For over $700 a week, I expected more. My kid deserved fun not JUST work. Also, I find the attitude of no open-ness and no visitation concerning in light of my child's stories.
My two daughters went at ages 6 and 10. They loved it! When I picked them up they looked healthy and refreshed. The simplicity was such a welcome reprieve from our chaotic daily life. They are there for a second year now and couldn't wait to be dropped off.
I went to farm camp, and I did not enjoy it at all. The staff was strict, rude, and unattentive. While this may be a good fit for some kids who love animals, it is not for anyone like me who has a problem with strict rules, no free time, and a small selection of people. I might reccomend going with a good friend because there are so little kids who go each week. It's a really expensive camp, so you need to think really hard before you send your children there.
Our oldest two daughters have spent a week on the farm with the Barker family for four summers now. Each time we've picked them up, they were glowing. They loved the stories, sitting together drinking goat milk hot chocolate, taking care of the animals, and walking in the creek. I can imagine that there are a lot of kids who wouldn't enjoy the farm. But for kids who love animals and can find pleasure in simplicity, this is an extraordinary camp.
This is a small "camp" run for many years by the Barker Family. So, this is actually a visit to their home and not really a camp experience in the traditional sense of the word. It is a real working family-farm and every child that goes there is actually contributing to the running of the farm. My daughter absolutely loved her experience here. She came home positively glowing with excitement and tales of her week at the farm. She is a little on the shy side but Richard Barker was able to build and grow her confidence in just a few days. This is a wonderful place for kids who love animals, the outdoors and the idea of living on a farm. The food was by all accounts fantastic. This was such a fantastic antidote to the life that my daughter leads during the school year and I have no doubt that it will be one of her favorite memories of her childhood.
