Nature Camp
Rather than the traditional classroom of four walls and a plaster ceiling, Pepper Tree Farm offers trees for walls and the sky for a ceiling.
Nature Camp will take place at Pepper Tree Farm during the school year, Tuesdays through Fridays for students with disabilities living in Los Angeles County. Thirty-six children, close in age, will attend the inclusive program over four days, six hours each. Our Farm will help children with challenges appreciate nature and learn about environmental stewardship.
“Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, mud turtles, elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb. Brooks to wade, water lilies, woodchucks, bats, bees, butterflies, various animals to pet, hayfields, pine-cones, rocks to roll, sand, snakes, huckleberries and hornets; and any child who has been deprived of these has been deprived of the best part of education.” – Luther Burbank
Snacks and lunch will be provided, when possible using vegetables from our own boxed gardens and fruit from our own trees. One of the greatest gifts each camper will receive is their very own fruit tree. This will remind them of Pepper Tree Farm and of the bounty of nature!
Other activities for the boys and girls include horseback riding, care of miniature farm animals, hiking, arts, crafts, music and sports. Students will also participate in a variety of learning activities that cultivate STEM proficiency according to their abilities. Projects will be geared toward giving campers physical memories of their stay. Homemade photo albums and videos on thumb drives will allow campers to relive their glorious days at Pepper Tree Farm.
Because of their physical limitations, children with special needs are unable to attend many public school field trips. Pepper Tree Farm hopes to level the playing field with its fully accessible site. Our Farm will bring adventure to thousands of boys and girls who miss out on so much yet who want, need and deserve to experience the ordinary, yet incredible, joys of childhood.
