Tag Archives: farm camp

It's really, really hot.  We've hit the part of the Texas summer where it probably won't get much worse except that it just keeps on coming.  Day after day of temperatures exceeding 100.  This steals my energy like a slow leak steals the bounce from a soccer ball.  I feel like a pat of butter in a hot skillet.

Chicken Holding 101

So I'm really glad we have a reason to keep going out there morning after morning, for... FARM CAMP.

Discussing Chicken Anatomy

These kids help me overlook the swelter and refocus on the joys of living here on the farm.  We get out and about, and do the chores early, before the animals withdraw to the shade and the fans, and before we're reduced to dripping rags just standing out of doors.

Washing a Bit of Wool

We also get the opportunity to teach the kids about our favorite thing: fiber.  Wool, in particular.  When you share with a kid all the amazing tricks that wool can do, it revives your own love, and preserves the knowledge for the next generation.  Today, we washed some Gulf Coast wool and dyed it in the sun with drink powder.  By this evening, it should be finished absorbing the pigments, and I'll rinse it out and set it to dry under a fan.  Tomorrow, we'll use it for felting.... more wool tricks.

Dyeing in the Sun

I really get big satisfaction from teaching the kids how to interact with the animals.  Some have experience with big critters, but not many.  They get to touch the fur and overcome the fear.  They learn about the work and the responsibility that goes with caring for animals.

The Egg Hunt - Highlight of the Day

We also take time (in the AC) to listen to good literature about farming and fiber.  We read aloud from some really outstanding books, and the kids aren't terribly aware that it's "good for them."  They actually enjoy it.

Great Books about Fiber

Only three more days of Farm Camp for the summer.  It was a big job, but so, so worth it.  I'm considering expanding for next year.  We just have to keep sharing this great stuff.

Playdough creation...  Some kind of monster.

The kids came back raring to go, and we got right to work.  Of course, chores come first, but then we turned to wool work.  After meeting the sheep up close yesterday, we were ready to begin working with the wool.  We washed it and then put it in jars with Koolaid to dye it in the sun.

This is easy to do even if you aren't at Farm Camp - all you need is some wool, a big jar, some water and a few glugs of vinegar, and some unsweetened Koolaid or similar drink powder.  You can't really mess this up - add the water and vinegar, the wool, and sprinkle the powder on top and leave in the hot sun for the day.  It's magic.

Wool Washing

Ms. Nancy is the best helper ever...

Dyeing with drink powder

All set to let the sun do its thing...

Here's a little peak at all our fun activities today:

Looking at a chicken's ear -- who knew?

Our ambassador chicken doesn't mind being held

Learning about sheep, while we create great works of art

Ta-da!!

I want to thank Ms. Anela for taking all of today's wonderful pictures, and Ms. Nancy, who proved her worth and service again today in so many valuable ways.  The campers and I thank you with all our might!

And tomorrow - even more fun to come!

Great kids make Farm Camp as much fun for me as they seem to be having.  I don't want to blow all the fun for the group that will be coming next week, but let me show you just a little of the stuff we did today.  The moms let me know we need a Farm Camp for grown-ups, and believe it or not, we're working on a couple of options in that area.  In the meantime, let the kids get some dirt under their nails, here...









See you tomorrow, kids... Day Two: wool dyeing and more...