In the current age of technology, teens that spend time in nature could be considered endangered species. On the farm, teens will be exposed to a wide variety of experiences and have the opportunity to expand their horizons, learn new skills, meet new friends and share their talents. Through mentorship with our farmers and farm educators, teen will learn about sustainable agriculture, the environment, animal care and develop life skills. They will be learn through participation in daily life on the farm.
Applications for Teens for summer 2025 will be accepted starting January 15, 2025.
Note: A letter of recommendation is required to be submitted each year before teen application is reviewed. The letter of recommendation must be written by a community member that knows the applicant well but is not related.
The letter of recommendation must include the following details:
· Describe characteristics that would make the applicant a good candidate for our teen leadership program
· Confirm teen’s ability to align with camp’s code of conduct
· Describe at least one example of leadership activities in the community
Any teen applicant new to HCFC must schedule a time to tour the farm and meet with staff member(s) before application will be reviewed.
In order to maintain a safe and peaceful environment at camp we have established a Code of Conduct.
· Follow the daily rhythm of the camp schedule and safety rules set forth by camp staff
· Bring only the items on the packing list to camp, unless additional items are requested by the staff
· Respect staff, campers, and other teen leaders
· Communicate using kind words
· Work together to resolve any conflicts that may arise
· Violence, profanity, disrespectfulness, or any other unsafe behavior that endangers the safety of our participants is not acceptable
· Possession of tobacco/smoking, or drug paraphernalia, and/or weapons will not be tolerated
· Adhere to a tech-free environment
· Act in a manner that sets a good example for our campers
· Stay with your assigned staff member until dismissed for meal time or free play
Guiding Principles
RESPECT staff, fellow campers, environment, and the facility. Treat others as you would like to be treated! Be ENTHUSIASTIC and INSPIRE others through your positive attitude. Be a leader and fully COOPERATE with your group leaders. ENCOURAGE one another through kind words and caring actions. ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE! VALUE the rights, beliefs, thoughts, and ideas of others. Always treat others with KINDNESS and COURTESY. Take RESPONSIBILITY for your actions and CARE for those around you. HONESTY is the basis for all of our relationships and interactions. Be OPEN-MINDED to new ideas and new experiences. Have fun and make great memories!
For some youth, this program is a long awaited "right-of-passage" and the culmination of their farm-based learning that was began as a camper. Other families find this program when researching meaningful and memorable summer experiences for their teens.
On the farm, teens are offered the independence to learn about themselves, the environment to identify their talents, and the mentorship to learn new life skills. Many long-lasting friendships have been cultivated at Heritage Creek Farm Camp.
2025 Participation Costs:
1-2 weeks of participation is a set fee of $125/week.
If a teen participates in 3 or more weeks during the summer, each family chooses a flat fee for their child’s summer participation at the farm. Total fee for summer teen participation is selected at time of registration - $375, $500, $600 or $750.
Camp is in session 10 weeks during 2024.
New Teen Leaders - Please fill out the Teen Leaders Program Application
Our Teen Program combines the camaraderie of camp with the opportunity to develop life skills.
June 9-13
June 16-20
June 23-27
No camp June 30 - July 4
July 7-11
July 14-18
July 21-25
July 28-Aug 1 8:30 am - 3:30 pm only - Teen pick up by 4 pm
August 4-8
August 11-15
August 18-22
Camp operates from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Teens can arrive as early as 7:30 am
and stay until as late as 5:30 pm
Pick up by 4 pm the week of July 28 - August 1
learning about seeding, germination and propagation
learning how to transplant, direct seed, set up irrigation and harvest different crops
learning about the business side of farming
learning about and how to care for farm animals
working on environmental projects on the farm and learning about sustainable growing methods
caretaking the land
Through mentorship with our staff, teens work and play hand-in-hand on the land with their teen peers and campers
A variety of life skills can be learned while on the farm.
Skillsets such as teamwork, adaptability, leadership, decision-making, self-motivation, perseverance, and responsibility can be learned while at Farm Camp.
Learning to use the variety of mediums in our fiber arts program including re-purposed items.
Farm and nature based arts and crafts
Long lasting friendships are cultivated on the farm.
Heritage Creek Farm & education center
2126 Rissermill Road, Mount Joy
Copyright © 2021 Heritage Creek Farm Camp - All Rights Reserved.
Accepting field trip reservations for fall '24 & spring '25