Sneak a Peek Inside Life at Drumlin Farm Camp

Summer days may feel far away, but camp is just around the corner!

At Drumlin Farm Camp, we’re excited for another unforgettable summer, where fun and learning go hand-in-hand. Campers will explore the world through science, nature, and agriculture at our 291-acre farm and wildlife sanctuary.

Each age group has a tailored theme, from biology to environmental leadership. Activities vary widely based on the schedules the counselors curate, but there are some core experiences that campers look forward to year after year. Here’s an inside look at some of the possibilities campers can look forward to this summer.

Adventure in the Great Outdoors

Nature exploration takes center stage at Drumlin Farm Camp. From serene ponds to lush forests and sunny fields, campers discover something new every day.

Using special ponding nets, campers can find all kinds of aquatic wonders hiding beneath the surface of our ponds and vernal pools, from crayfish to tadpoles. With ID cards and magnifying glasses, they’ll learn how these creatures fit into the larger ecosystem.

In the red pine forest, campers enjoy the beauty of the lush canopy while going on scavenger hunts and identifying plants and animals. They can also experiment with creating natural dyes from plants and learn basic foraging skills from their knowledgeable counselors, utilizing all five senses to connect to the world around them.

Experience Life on a Working Farm

With Drumlin Farm’s idyllic pastoral scenery as their backdrop, kids immerse themselves in life on a working farm. They learn about what it takes to produce their favorite foods, engaging their taste buds along the way.

In the crops field, campers become part of the farm team and witness sustainable agriculture in practice. They’ll get their hands dirty weeding, watering, and harvesting veggies once they’re ready to take to the farm stand.

Taking care of the farm animals requires all hands on deck! Kids will learn about animal behavior and help with farm chores like milking our cows, mucking stalls, and feeding the animals.

Campers will also meet Drumlin Farm’s resident beekeeper, Mel, and find how honey is made from start to finish. They’ll learn how honeybees pollinate and communicate with each other, and taste honey from our very own hives.

Bond through Camp Games

Whether they require competition or foster teamwork, campers look forward to these iconic games every year.

Camouflage offers a nature twist on hide-and-seek. Campers must blend into the trees to hide from the “leader,” then sneak up to tag them. The challenge? Staying unseen while getting close enough to win!

The “Farm Olympics” gets younger campers moving with obstacle courses, relay races, horseshoe throwing, potato sack races, and more. Older campers compete in “Battle of the Barns,” where groups use creativity and strategy to construct towers of cardboard and string strong enough to hold against their rival team, who will attempt to knock it down.

Visit with Wildlife

It’s not very often you’re able to get up close and personal with a hawk or a groundhog, so it’s always a highlight of camp week when Drumlin Farm’s wildlife ambassadors come out to visit. Over 70 animals from 30 different species native to Massachusetts live at Drumlin Farm’s Wildlife Care Center. These animals are rescues that cannot be released back into the wild and instead serve as ambassadors for their species. Kids will get the chance to interact with some of these animals as they learn about animal behavior and ecology.

Besides the animals that come out for educational programs, several of our resident wildlife ambassador birds live on “Bird Hill.” Here, campers can walk by and see Red-tailed Hawks, Barred Owls, and more in their enclosures. These wildlife encounters deepen the connection between campers and the natural world while cultivating unique, unforgettable memories.

Get Creative with Nature Art

It’s time to get creative! Crafts at camp provide everything from paints and pencils to natural materials like wool to spark kids’ passion for nature.

In one popular crafting activity, campers create “mouse houses,” or small structures made from found materials. Counselors will sometimes challenge them to keep climate resilience in mind by making their mini houses resistant to water being poured on them.

Throughout the session, campers also keep a nature journal, writing down and drawing the plants and animals they observe. They also use this space to reflect on what they see and the things they learned. At the end of a jam-packed day, campers might also take a trek to the top of the Drumlin, a hill that overlooks the landscape below, and capture the scenery with watercolors.

Join the Fun

This only scratches the surface of the possible experiences your child could have at camp. Start planning your unforgettable summer now! 

Drumlin Farm Camp