What is Farm Camp? It is the action piece of Connecting City to Farm. Following our mission to promote healthy food choices for all budgets, we are beginning a new program in our organization, and there are only seven days until our very first Farm Camp!
Inception of an Idea
In May of this year, we joined many concerned Dallas leaders at the “Tipping the Scales for Children” event, hosted by The Cooper Institute and SMU's Maguire Center for Ethics & Public Responsibility. After learning more about the overwhelming problem of childhood obesity (which affects 50% of children in Dallas County), we knew we had to do our part to make an impact in the lives of these children!
What Is It?
Farm Camp is a three night learning adventure for kids living in underserved neighborhoods in Dallas. We will travel to my family’s original farm house in Arkansas where these kids will be launched into a healthy lifestyle. While our time will be full of agriculture-related activities, such as riding tractors, running free in cotton fields and meeting local farmers, the curriculum we’ve prepared for our young guests will focus on a complete healthy lifestyle.
Curriculum of Complete Health
During mealtimes at Farm Camp, short lessons will be taught on the long-term benefits of good nutrition, physical activity, healthy relationships, moral character, unique purpose and sustaining faith. The age-range will vary with each camp, with the youngest group being 8-10 year olds and the oldest group being high school kids.
Small Changes Bring Big Results
Our hope is to create an opportunity for children to see where their food is grown, what farmers do to raise crops, and how small changes in their food choices can make a big difference for generations to come.
Pilot Program
We will host our very first (pilot) program July 18-21 with a small group of kids and leaders from the South Dallas community. Several generous donations from families and small businesses will support gifts, meals and activities, such as souvenir water bottles, t-shirts, caps, smoothie bowls for breakfast, tuna wraps for lunch, grilled chicken for dinner, water balloon fights, a glow night and tractor rides.
Planting Seeds to Grow More Beauty
Look for upcoming posts and pictures about how this exciting opportunity is unfolding as we plant seeds in the lives of these precious children. Collaboration is welcome, so comment below with your ideas. We wait expectantly to see how our joint efforts can make significant differences in the lives of many growing youths.