The Farm School Campout
By Theo, Kekai, Blaise and Shane
The Campout is a very special time at Farm School because it happens only once a year. It is four days long. Students, teachers, parents, and younger siblings all attend Campout.
The Campout location changes every year. The locations are the terrain of mountains, deserts, and beaches. Three years ago we went to Joshua Tree National Park, which is a desert area. For the past two years we went to Leo Carrillo State Park, which is a beach area. This year we will go to Palomar Mountain State Park.
The campout preparations are very hectic for families and teachers. Families have to pack everything that they need, like clothes, medicine, tents, sleeping bags, and a tarp. Families also have to sign waivers.
The teachers have the most amount of preparation though, because they have to plan the meals, organize food, cook it before we get there, find the campsites, get their own stuff ready, plan lessons and oversee everyone else’s lessons, and hold a parent meeting. The teachers pretty much do everything, but they do ask parents to help with food and shopping. For example, a couple days before the Campout, parents shop for the food, and help pre-cook meals.
During the Campout, we follow rules to be safe and have guidelines to stay warm. The classroom rules still apply; there is no mental and physical violence, we have to be kind to ourselves and others, and there is no giving up.
One of the Campout safety rules is that you can’t run in the campground. Other Campout safety rules are: wear a whistle and a water system outside of your tent, don’t harass animals, use the buddy system when going anywhere, never leave the campground without telling an adult, and never blow your whistle unless you or someone you are with is hurt, and sign in and out of the campground so people know where you are. Also, when you go hiking, always pack an extra layer of clothes and an emergency blanket just in case you get lost.
When you go camping, there are guidelines about how to stay warm. One piece of advice is to have a smaller tent because it keeps warm air in and you will be warmer at night. Another way to stay warm is to think about layering clothes because the temperature changes from day to night. These are only some of the many rules and guidelines that keep us safe, warm and happy.
We do many things when we are at the Campout. During the day, the BUPS, (fifth graders), teachers, and sometimes other students teach lessons to everyone. One of the activities you might do in a lesson is to make a field guide about the animals you see on a hike. You might learn survival skills, or you might learn about the Native Americans who lived in the area.
In the afternoon, families get time to themselves. This is called Family Time. During Family Time, you can go for a hike and, explore the area or just nap. It’s your choice.
It is important to go on the Campout to experience learning outside of the classroom and to be outside with nature. It is a Farm School tradition that is fun and academic. We like the Campout because we get to know everybody a little better, hang out with school friends outside of the classrooms, and it learn about nature itself.
Looking for a Great School – The Farm School
We are located at 2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 . We lease space from Temple Beth El. We have two classrooms, an art room, a kitchen, and a huge yard–half grass and half paved. Although we are housed in a temple, we are a secular school.
Email: info@ocfarmschool.org
Farm School is a private 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
