2026 Summer Camp Information

All of our camps strive to encourage youth voice, nurture curiosity, and strengthen our connection to each other, our food systems, and the land. We aim to create low tech, community centered environments where campers can try new things, engage with their place, and have fun! Our camps are designed to meet the developmental needs of each age group, but we like to collaborate and play across ages. All campers can expect a full week of roaming on the farm, eating from the gardens, playing in the forest, and experiencing the many agricultural and natural habitats here. 

There are opportunities for campers to follow their interests during their week with us. We offer a lot of opportunities for choice and space in our schedule for exploration, emergent programming, and play. 

Some examples of camp choices include, but are not limited to:

• Taking the goats on a hike
• Making bread, butter, and spreads
• Wool crafting (washing, spinning, felting)
• Building forts and playing forest games
• Harvesting and Taste Tests
• Visiting the dairy herd and sheep flock
• Cooking over the fire
• Meeting a cheesemaker
• Nature based crafts
• Exploring the shores of Lake Champlain
• Pond exploration & more! 

Click the arrows (or swipe on mobile) to see a photo slideshow of past camp fun. 

Summer Camp & Camp Youth Leader Application Dates:

• Applications accepted January 11 - 13, 2026: Submit an online application anytime during these dates to be considered in the initial placement process. Enrollment is not first come, first served.
• Notifications sent 2 - 3 weeks after application period: Enrollment and Waitlist Notifications emailed to all applications received between January 11 - 13.
• January 14 - August 10, 2026: Applications received after the initial placement process will still be considered and you will be notified if you are accepted or you will be placed on the waitlist in order of when your application was submitted. We encourage you to still apply to help us keep track of your families’ interest.
• Review full Application and Placement process
• Review Frequently Asked Questions

• 2026 Camps by Dates
• 2026 Camps by Ages (5 - 17)
• 2026 Camp Youth Leader Camps by Dates
• Work and Learn Opportunities (Ages 14 - 17)

There are opportunities for older campers to engage with the farm, explore the forests and lake, build relationships, and have fun! All of our teen programs work to prioritize connection, youth voice, and genuine engagement with each other and our ecosystem. We offer three programs over the course of the summer ranging from day camps, overnight experiences, and leadership roles.

• Market Garden (ages 12 - 14): Our Market Garden camp is a week-long day program based at the farm’s production market garden. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in daily farm chores, prepare food to share, follow their interests, and enjoy the surrounding forests, fields, and lakes. This camp connects us to our food system and builds community through sharing meals, playing games, and exploring the farm.
• Beyond the Barn (overnight) (ages 14 - 17): Beyond the Barn is a week-long overnight camp for high school aged students. This camp is a combination of traditional camping activities and unique farm experiences. The goal is for campers to end their week gaining genuine insight from our community and practice working with the land. Campers will choose to participate in cohorts for part of each day that each have a central focus: Farm, Forest, or Food & Community.
  • Farm: This cohort may be working alongside our Market Garden team, Dairy team, or crafting with our farm’s fibers.
  • Forest: This cohort may have the opportunity to work with our Woodlands crew, craft in the woodshop, and have ample time in the forest.
  • Food & Community: This cohort may spend their time cooking with chefs from the Inn, working with our farmers, using food as a tool for connection, and learning about our local food systems.

Interested campers will choose their cohorts prior to camp starting and spend part of each day with their group. Please note there will be chances for everyone to engage with each theme through choice activities, downtime, group hangs, and exploring. Campers are not required to own any outdoor gear such as tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads, gear is available for campers to borrow as needed.

• Camp Youth Leader (ages 14 - 17): Camp Youth Leaders, under the mentorship of our education team, will practice facilitating hands-on activities in an agricultural and natural outdoor setting, build leadership skills, and gain place-based teaching experience while exploring the Farm with our youngest campers ages 5 - 8. Examples of responsibilities include: assisting and supporting hands-on programming, singing songs, playing games, reading stories, facilitating activities, collaborating with staff, and exploring the farm! For more information please review the Summer Camp Youth Leader Program Description or contact Hannah Corbin, Camp and Afterschool Coordinator, at workandlearn@shelburnefarms.org. 

We strive to make summer camp on our working farm as accessible, safe, and inclusive as possible. We welcome campers from all backgrounds and abilities. In many cases, we are open to modifying or adjusting our program and are available for feedback or ideas. If you have questions or concerns about how we can best support your camper, please contact Jed Norris, Director of Farm-Based Youth Programs, at jnorris@shelburnefarms.org.

Program Accessibility & Scholarship Fund

Shelburne Farms is committed to ensuring that finances are not a barrier to children experiencing our summer youth programs. We offer need-based financial assistance in an effort to make camp accessible to all children regardless of financial barriers. Applicants enrolled in summer camp will be able to select financial assistance using a need-based sliding scale. For those able, your donation to the Accessibility & Scholarship Fund is greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping all children to experience the joys of summer on the Farm.

Camp Goals

• Facilitate connection between our forests, farms, animals, lake and each other. Build opportunities for deeper engagement with our community, care for these systems, and collaboration towards a sustainable future.
• Build relationships with campers and families to encourage lifelong learning and sustained engagement with Shelburne Farms beyond summer camp through family programs, workshops, outreach, and community partnerships.
• Develop and sustain an inclusive and multicultural camp community that reflects and engages Vermont’s increasingly diverse populations. We offer accessible programming for all children regardless of financial barriers.

Before & After Care

Campers may be dropped off as early as 8:00 am and picked up as late as 5:00 pm for all full-day camps, with the exception of Wednesday afternoons. Wednesday after care will be offered until 4:00 pm only, due to an all staff meeting. The fee is $3/half hour per family and can be paid online after your camp week by signing into your account.

Camp Drop off & Pick up Locations

We have assigned a drop off/pick up location for each camp, but all camps will spend their days exploring all over the farm. We’ll meet the farmers, animals, and get to know our meadows, fields, pastures, pond, dairy, farmyard, and gardens as we deepen our relationships with the food and natural systems of our farm community. 

• Adventures Room at Farm Barn: Located in the Farm Barn. The Adventures Room provides space to gather, explore, and play inside before heading outside for most of the day. This space has cubbies in the hallway, and bathrooms and a kitchen nearby.  
• Outdoor Classroom at Farm Barn: Located in the forest behind the Farm Barn. The Outdoor Classroom has a campfire circle, the old sugarhouse for cubby space, work tables, running water, and an enclosed composting toilet.
• Farm Barn (side lawn): Located on the lawn on the North side of the Farm Barn. TheFarm Barn offers lots of space for gathering and easy access to our education center, a kitchen work space, bathrooms, the farmyard, gardens, campfire circle, and trails.
• Market Garden: Located at the Market Garden, a mixed vegetable and flower garden with fields and greenhouses. The Market Garden has a covered pavilion, campfire circle, outdoor kitchen, running water, and an enclosed composting toilet.
• Outdoor Classroom at Coach Barn: Located in the forest behind the Coach Barn. The Outdoor Classroom has a campfire circle, outdoor kitchen, sheltered lean-tos, running water, and an enclosed composting toilet with an accessibility ramp and sink for hand washing.

• If you have any questions regarding specific camps and programming, please email Christine Lutters, Assistant Camp Director, at clutters@shelburnefarms.org.
• If you have any questions regarding the application process, login information or using our CampBrain registration system, or financial assistance, please email Mariah Hawkins, Education Program Administrator and Registrar at registration@shelburnefarms.org.