Summer
Farm and Nature Summer Camps at Devil's Gulch Ranch Summer 2010
Check out the Documentary of Camps at Devil's Gulch Ranch.
Thank you for checking out our programs. All of the camps offered at Devil's Gulch Ranch are focused around connecting children and young adults to agriculture, nature, outdoor recreation, and our ancestral past. All our camps have capacities of 25 or less with staff to students ratios of 1:5.
In all camps, the start of each day for all participants is doing routine farm chores. The rest of the day is devoted to learning about agriculture, getting connected to the forest, creeks, and meadows around the ranch, learning primitive skills, doing crafts centered on natural materials, developing skills in archery, atlatl, tomahawk, rappelling or horsemanship. Each day of the week has time for free play or exploration. At least one day of each week is devoted to a wander in the forest.
We challenge each participant to go past their comfort zone and try new things. This is not your usual summer camp and this is not a petting zoo but a production ranch raising livestock for meat. Participants have hands on experiences in real work and have opportunities to explore all areas of production. For more information on the Devil's Gulch Ranch please see www.devilsgulchranch.com
The participants will find that they are a member of a happy and healthy community with mentors that incorporate humor, storytelling, rites of passage, respect, celebration, thanksgiving, and more.
Please explore the rest of the web site and see what activities and programs are available that might be of interest.
I welcome your inquiries and look forward to talking to you.
lisa@devilsgulchranch.com Or call (415) 662-1099
Basic Agriculture/Nature Summer Day Camp At Devil's Gulch Ranch.
Beginning Agriculture camp is open to all students ages 6 to 13.
Our skilled and flexible staff provide programming centered on connecting the campers to their food and to nature, yet tailored to the interests and abilities of our campers. The guiding mission of the camp is reflected in hands-on activities and instruction centered.
Farm Chores
The students get an overview of the production of food and fiber. This is not a petting zoo but a production ranch producing meat for food. They learn by doing chores and participating in aspects of ranch life such as harvesting, animal care, horseback riding, agricultural mechanics and much more.
Nature Connection
Many of the nature staff are alumni of the Regenerative Design Nature Awareness program and with skills in tracking, primitive technology, and cultural mentoring. The program at Devil's Gulch is modeled after Jon Young's Coyote Mentoring and is an affiliated program. The students practice the core routines for reconnecting them to nature as outlined in Coyote Mentoring.
Nature Crafts
Complementing the agriculture and Nature component are our nature crafts, including tanning hides, spinning wool, making soap, fly tying, jewelry, etc.
Recreation
Our amazing options in recreation, includes, rappelling, archery, rabbit stick, swimming, wandering in the forest, and free play. Monday of each week the campers have the day to themselves to wander to their heart content to explore and have adventure that some parents relate to Huck Finn.
Staff Ratios
We have one of the highest staff-to-camper ratios around and limit our enrollment to 30 campers a week. As a consequence, our camps have an intimate, personal atmosphere. For most activities, the students are in groups of no more than 5.
Leader In Training (LIT)
This program is for young people in 9th grade and up who are highly motivated, ready to learn, work, and play hard, and who demonstrate additional responsibility in accepting the challenges of leadership and personal growth.
Training
Participants in the LIT program will take part in a weekend training session then will be able to take on a more responsible role in following regular camp sessions that they can attend at a discount.
LITs will:
- Develop their skills in agriculture, outdoor recreation, indigenous skills.
- Become more connected to nature and their food.
- Learn and practice the Peace Maker Principles and nonviolent communication.
- Learn about the 8 shields and community building.
- Practice the Core routines of Coyote Mentoring
- Participate in Ceremonies and Recognition – for meeting milestones along the way.
Daily LIT Mentoring during regular camp session
each day LITs will participate in mentoring sessions designed to help them build leadership skills, plan programs and events, and discuss leadership topics.
Daily Responsibilities
There will be plenty of opportunities for LITs to practice leadership skills in numerous areas in camp and on the farm. These responsibilities could include leading the Thanksgiving address, assisting activity directors, accompanying younger campers, livestock chores, making the tokens for a friendship campfire, decorating for a camp, setting up or picking up after a special programs.
Personal Time
LITs sign up for activities geared toward the LITs individual interests to sharpen skills or to have fun. Remember to keep in mind that LITs are a participating leader, the LIT cannot turn off being a leader.
