oh my goodness, I want my children to attend farm camp! They are now 23, 23, and 17. I think we missed the boat on this, but WOW what a wonderful program and awesome philosophy. I unknowingly sheltered my kids by not allowing the slightly scary, or ouchy or dirty to happen enough! Enjoy Farm Camp kiddies!!!
I love that you do this. Using the farm to teach discomfort and work plus a love and respect of animals is a brilliant idea. Especially since this was part of everyday life for humans in one form or another since the beginning of our history.
Awww, kids and animals are the best! I'm lucky to live and teach in a rural area, and the skills the farm kids learn instinctively are under-appreciated. I know 90 pound 11 year olds who can manage a 3000 pound oxen team! Kids learn so much patience and emotional regulation from training animals since one irritable outburst can ruin months of work. They know to calm their voices and movements and how to read the body language of several species. That self awareness and observational skill can transfer to so many other arenas of life! Bravo to you and your family for sharing this pastoral lifestyle which our own species has been adapted to for millenia. It comes naturally because it is literally in our nature. What a gift!
(Also you really do need my yearling moonspotted Mini Nubian buck! He and your does would make the prettiest doelings and bucklings ever!!)
I will be 78 in September. My paternal grandfather was a farmer. His lifetime job was to feed his family. I remember days when I was a kid following him around, feeding the chickens, riding the wooden plow behind the two mules, being careful around the pigs who I was sure would eat little boys, and helping my grandmother in the kitchen make biscuits. When I read about Larissa and her farm it makes me want to go to her farm camp to relive those memories. Thank you Larissa.
Great question! Some of these pictures are from several years ago! That first summer, 2002, we all wore masks outside. And after that, some families continued for a while. But I haven’t seen a mask on the farm in a few years.
Thank you, Larissa, for doing your part (may seem small, but it's really monumental!) to inculcate a bit more resilience into the next generation. We're going to need their resilience and their willingness to "pick up poop" to maintain the world we've left them. Messy is not hopeless, and suffering a bit (or a lot, when necessary) is what it's all about. My grandmother used to say "You have to eat a peck of dirt before you die." I told my kids, "You can wash your hands when we're done." Glad to have discovered your post!
I notice that some kids are fatigued by how many photos are taken of them. They refuse to look and the parents beg them for a smile. But others don’t care. I mean, if it’s an iPhone it’s so quick and candid that it doesn’t seem to take any attention.
oh my goodness, I want my children to attend farm camp! They are now 23, 23, and 17. I think we missed the boat on this, but WOW what a wonderful program and awesome philosophy. I unknowingly sheltered my kids by not allowing the slightly scary, or ouchy or dirty to happen enough! Enjoy Farm Camp kiddies!!!
You’re amazing, oh what a world could be with more teachers like you. Keep it up!
I love that you do this. Using the farm to teach discomfort and work plus a love and respect of animals is a brilliant idea. Especially since this was part of everyday life for humans in one form or another since the beginning of our history.
Rules. Boundaries. Farm work. Farm animals. Small injuries. Surprises. A bit of a scare. What a great way for kids to spend a summer day!
Larissa you are my hero. I can't wait for my newborn grandson to be old enough to bring to your farm camp!!! See you in a few years!!!
Awww, kids and animals are the best! I'm lucky to live and teach in a rural area, and the skills the farm kids learn instinctively are under-appreciated. I know 90 pound 11 year olds who can manage a 3000 pound oxen team! Kids learn so much patience and emotional regulation from training animals since one irritable outburst can ruin months of work. They know to calm their voices and movements and how to read the body language of several species. That self awareness and observational skill can transfer to so many other arenas of life! Bravo to you and your family for sharing this pastoral lifestyle which our own species has been adapted to for millenia. It comes naturally because it is literally in our nature. What a gift!
(Also you really do need my yearling moonspotted Mini Nubian buck! He and your does would make the prettiest doelings and bucklings ever!!)
I live on a farm with my 2 year old and 4 year old and these are pretty much our day to day rules as well :)) the daily lessons are amazing!!
I will be 78 in September. My paternal grandfather was a farmer. His lifetime job was to feed his family. I remember days when I was a kid following him around, feeding the chickens, riding the wooden plow behind the two mules, being careful around the pigs who I was sure would eat little boys, and helping my grandmother in the kitchen make biscuits. When I read about Larissa and her farm it makes me want to go to her farm camp to relive those memories. Thank you Larissa.
This is fantastic
Thank you Malka!
This is awesome ! I lived on a Christmas tree farm for three years and it was a great experience for a city girl. Have a wonderful summer!
A quick question. Why are the children wearing masks outside? Thanks.
Great question! Some of these pictures are from several years ago! That first summer, 2002, we all wore masks outside. And after that, some families continued for a while. But I haven’t seen a mask on the farm in a few years.
2020 not 2002!
Thank you, Larissa, for doing your part (may seem small, but it's really monumental!) to inculcate a bit more resilience into the next generation. We're going to need their resilience and their willingness to "pick up poop" to maintain the world we've left them. Messy is not hopeless, and suffering a bit (or a lot, when necessary) is what it's all about. My grandmother used to say "You have to eat a peck of dirt before you die." I told my kids, "You can wash your hands when we're done." Glad to have discovered your post!
There must be cameras everywhere ?
You mean parents taking photos?
Someone is ?
Do they not pose a position .
People change when there are cameras around .
I notice that some kids are fatigued by how many photos are taken of them. They refuse to look and the parents beg them for a smile. But others don’t care. I mean, if it’s an iPhone it’s so quick and candid that it doesn’t seem to take any attention.
There is a movement to ban them in learning situations .
The perfect photo becomes more important than the event .
Plus there is editing to avoid unwanted reality
because this will be presented on the internet .
It doesn’t feel like a problem at all. The activity is not interrupted.
Do you make more money from the children’s show and the Substack entertainment venture than you do from the actual farm ?