Session I: June 4-8 Session II: June 18-22

Camp EarthDance is a farm-to-table camp for middle school students!

At Camp EarthDance, middle schoolers have the opportunity to get a taste—literally—of day-to-day work on the historic Mueller Organic Farm. Campers also learn how to cook healthy meals and engage in art and fitness activities.

Download the Camp EarthDance 2012 Brochure to read more or share!

Our Philosophy

We at EarthDance are concerned about the health of our youth and the health of the environment. Today’s youth, many of whom regularly call a bag of chips “lunch,” belong to the first generation that will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. In order to stop this trend in its track, we aim to create an exciting connection between youth and their food source. Camp EarthDance offers a fun-filled and educational environment in which young people can visit a local farm, watch how carrots grow, and learn how and why to prepare and eat a healthy, local foods-based lunch. Campers will also “celebrate the culture in agriculture” by engaging in art, writing, and fitness activities that let them further explore what they are learning.

• We believe that youth care about their health and the environment–and want to be involved in making a difference
• We believe that youth are happier and healthier when they spend time outside with their peers
• We believe that if youth grow and prepare their own food, they will eat it
• We believe that youth have the power to share what they have learned with their families and friends and create a healthier future for themselves and their community

Benefits of Camp EarthDance

• Learn about growing food, building soil, and caring for the environment on the oldest organic farm in Missouri
• Prepare delicious, healthy meals with EarthDance staff and a home economics teacher
• Create art that celebrates sustainability and agriculture
• Have fun and gain fitness through swimming, dancing, hula hooping, and yoga
• Successful campers will have the opportunity to continue their learning on the farm and at the Ferguson Farmers Market throughout the summer!

Basic Information about Camp EarthDance

Age Requirement

Camp EarthDance is for middle-school aged students. Students must be entering the 7th or 8th, or 9th grade (or the homeschooling equivalent) in the fall of 2012 to attend.

Session Dates and Time

Session I: June 4-8

Session II: June 18-22

Camp runs from 8:30am-2:30pm Monday-Friday

Locations

Campers will gather, cook, eat, and have their afternoon sessions at Ferguson Middle School, 701 January Ave. Ferguson, MO 63135; Campers will farm at the Mueller Organic Farm, 233 South Dade, Ferguson, MO 63135; and campers will swim at Splash at January-Wabash Memorial Park, 501 N. Florissant Rd., Ferguson, MO 63135.

Registration and Tuition

Download Camp EarthDance Registration Form Please include a current photo of the camper with your registration form. There are only 15 spaces available in each session. Spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis. If you register after the spaces have been filled, you will have the option of being placed on a waiting list. If you register for a session that has been filled, you will have the option of moving into the unfilled session.

Tuition is $150 for Ferguson residents and $175 for non-residents.  A $25 deposit will secure your child’s spot in the camp. Payment in full is due by Thursday, May 31st. Checks may be made out to EarthDance. Please mail or drop off the registration and waiver form, a current photo, and payment(s) to: EarthDance, 302 Thoroughman Ave., Ferguson, MO 63135.

 

Schedule

Here’s an example of how our campers will spend their days!

8:30-8:45 a.m. Gather at Ferguson Middle School

8:45-9:00 a.m. Distribute healthy snack, fill water bottles, stretch and prepare for the day.

9:00 a.m. Board Jolly Trolley to the farm!

9:15-10:45 a.m. On the farm! Working, learning, and harvesting veggies for lunch

10:45-11:00 a.m. Return to Ferguson Middle and clean up

11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Prepare lunch and eat it together while learning about nutrition and healthy eating habits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Art and journaling time! Collaborative, sustainable, and fun art/writing projects.

1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Swim at Splash at January-Wabash Park or take yoga.

2:15-2:30 p.m. Day ends; campers may be picked up at Ferguson Middle School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The S.O.U.L.-ful Approach to Healthy Eating

At Camp EarthDance, our campers will learn to cook S.O.U.L.–Seasonal, Organic, Unprocessed, and Local–foods for themselves and their families! While on the farm, campers will harvest ingredients, which they will immediately bring into the kitchen for lunch. As they chop, mix, and saute, campers will engage in discussion about nutrition. The campers will also set the tables, serve each other, and practice good manners. After the meal, the campers will work together to clean up.

Instructors, Staff, and Counselors

Pictures and Bios Coming Soon!

Camp EarthDance is a partnership between EarthDance and the City of Ferguson. The Camp EarthDance team would like to thank Susan Kelly, principal at Ferguson Middle School, Dr. Art McCoy, assistant superintendent of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, and Stan Kreit, from the City of Ferguson’s Parks and Recreation Department, for all their support!