54 Park Ave. Randolph NJ is now owned by ARC Morris NJ. We wish them much success and joy there!
Camp is run by farm owners/residents - “Farmer Brad” and Julie Swenson –(Certified Teacher, School Administrator, certified social worker, and Yoga Instructor), along with professional artists, musicians, certified teachers and/or aides, and mentors.
For 2022 we will be hosting only 28 children/session. Some activities are done as a full group/mixed ages, and others are done in small groups of 6-8 children, divided by age group. Teacher/child ratio is 1:6 – 1:8.
Each morning staff members complete preparations and morning chores. The Staff then gathers to share a meditation time just before the children arrive. Children arrive and gather by the gate, and at 9:00 am we begin our day with the children. We share a “get to know you” activity and then enlist their input for setting the day’s intentions. We offer some awakening yoga poses and discussing the plans for the day. We tend to morning chores, and then the children start off to their first activity. Snack time is held around 10:15 a.m. Typically, there are three or four, 30-45 minute activities each day. Some days there are more full group activities depending on what Special Events are planned. Children will participate in a different mix of activities each day. The camp day wraps up with clean up time, and then a gathering circle at 12:15-12:30 where parents/caregivers join us, and volunteer campers share activities/lessons learned that day.
COVID 19 safety measures: At this time (FEB/22) it looks like our summer daily routine will include practicing hand washing, social distancing as much as possible, and not attending camp when feeling sick or showing symptoms of illness. Masks will not be required in outdoor activities, but will be wore when indoors. (We are almost never indoors). We will spread out more during snack time. We will send more information once we are closer to the beginning of camp and will modify as necessary to follow our best judgement based on Summer Camp guidelines from CDC and NJ State Health Dept (which can vary). We have not made any type of decision regarding COVID testing protocol. We are vaccinated and received booster shots and require that all staff and mentors have as well. Our goal is to keep all of the children, the staff, and Brad & me well all summer. We’ll do our best.
Participate in Farm Chores
Plant, tend, and harvest the vegetable/herb/flower gardens
Access the Science Box (Field guides, magnifying glasses, stone testing activities and more.)
Explore Trail Blazing
Care for the chickens, sheep, alpacas (Following 4H guidelines)
Design and build farm improvements
Learn about and build bee hives and harvest honey
Explore the pond and stream
Participate in Treasure Hunts and Nature Hikes
During both Farm Chores, and Independent Tinker Time – We will be presenting problems that need a solution, and/or children will identify problems in need of solutions. Individually, and in groups, children will work on problem solving using research, measuring, creating drawings, planning (some trial and error) and creating/building. Some things we’ve done in the past include: designing and building a new sheep door (sheep can get out/alpacas can’t get in), designing a bucket holder so that alpacas can’t overturn their water bucket, building a bridge for the alpacas, building raised garden beds, repairing fencing, planting trees.
Each morning in our opening circle, we set our intentions for the day and offer some grounding poses. Children will participate in one or two small group yoga classes where they will discuss the theme of the day and then learn asanas (poses), breathing, and relaxation methods through stories, songs, and games (age appropriate.) Throughout the week, campers participate in full group yoga activities as well.
Each week, a new theme and an artist will be introduced and a project completed. Past projects have including fiber arts (dyeing and felting wool), sewing, mixed media, outdoor painting and drawing, wood building, jewelry making, clay, stone carving. Some weeks, we’ll be joined by a professional artist demonstrating their work.
Children will participate in making music with trained musicians and professional visiting musicians. We hold a music circle each week, including drum circle, and/or chimes, shakers, and other percussion instruments, voice, and found objects for experimenting with sound. This year we will be adding Hip Hop into the rotation, to be taught at some camp sessions.
Children will participate in creative field games, cooperative challenges, and will be taught games from Colonial times and from World cultures.
To be determined for 2022 camp season.
Each year is different- we look to engage children in reading and following recipes, measuring, chopping, and mixing. For example, last summer, we made butter from cream (and then added our own honey), baked individual loaves of bread, healthy muffins, cookies, and more. We make popsicles with fruit, and create other snacks from the farm – egg/veggie bake with our eggs and veggies the children pick from the garden, along with squash chips, and baked potato slices made from freshly harvested garden potatoes. We’ll try some new recipes as well. We like to encourage to the children to try things they’ve never had before.
Each year the children participate in some type of community service effort while at camp. This year’s community service project is in the works and details will be posted once finalized.
Seniors from Merry Heart Assisted Living come as our guests to participate with camp with the children. They have done this for many years. Sadly, last year we were not able to have them with us due to COVID. We so hope that this year will allow for their return to Soulshine - it is a highlight for me, to engage with them and the children, with music, arts, and storytelling.
Around 10:15 am children gather for hand washing, snack time/water break, and are reminded to use the restroom. (Note: Water and restrooms are available at all times.) A healthy snack is provided, and there are always apples, bananas, or other choices if a child does not like our snack of the day. Most children do not bring a additional snack or drink from home, but children are welcome to bring a healthy, low waste snack. We practice low waste living, and ask that campers who bring snack, use reusable containers. (Snacks with nuts are prohibited, bags are checked upon arrival.)
Print Registration Form
Fully Complete Page 1
Fully complete Registration form page 2-3 (Only if applicable)
Copy and attach child’s vaccination records (or include a note from doctor for medical exemption.) If your child was here last year and has had no new vaccines you do not need to send again, simply check line on the application, “No new vaccinations since last year.”
We are state licensed and must follow state guidelines for our monitoring. *Registration sent without updated Vaccination Records or Medical Exemption Letter will not be registered and no spot will be held until application is complete. If child has an upcoming physical prior to camp starting, just send the most current records and send in update once you have it. Send registration with check made out to “Soulshine Farm”.
Registrations may be postmarked beginning on February 15th and MAILED to Soulshine Farm, 54 Park Ave. Randolph, NJ 07869 Registrations post marked prior to February 15th will be returned.
Confirmations will be emailed weekly on Fridays beginning on Feb 25th, and every Friday thereafter. (If you sent in a registration and haven’t seen an email confirmation, please check your junk/spam email.)
We are a small program with limited spots. In an effort to be fair to all interested in attending:
We do not accept drop off applications. Registration is by USPS Mail only.
We do not hold spots over the phone.
The only way to register is to follow steps above. Thank you for respecting the system in place !
If you are interested in sending your child, but the cost is challenging, due to medical issue or extenuating circumstances please email Julie, at jswenson@soulshinefarm.com to ask about partial, or full scholarship, or to pay over time rather than all at once. Each year we contribute a portion of the profits from our farm store and other farm programs to be able to offer 10% of our camp spots as scholarships.
Drop-Off & Pick Up Instructions
What to Wear and What to Bring
