Summer Camp at the Charmingfare Farm, NH

As I walk along with my family admiring the geese and ducks near the pond at Charmingfare Farm I hear giggles and laughter coming from the water spout beyond us. There is a small group of children, maybe half a dozen, all in bright colored shirts following an adult leader. The heat is amazingly hot and they are cooling off in the water. The leader motions and the children line up behind her. They head off in the opposite direction. They are giggling and look to be having a very good time; however, they are obviously on a mission. The group heads towards the other exhibits with in the farm. The group stops long enough to "talk" to the wolves. I notice the kids in the group are calling the wolves by their names and seem to be familiar with the animals. They discuss briefly which wolf is the alpha and the placement of the other wolves with in the pack. They discuss the age of each wolf and the personalities they exhibit. The group says a friendly good bye to the alpha by giving him a wolf hooowwwwl. To my amazement I watch the wolf howl and howl and howl along with the children. As I watch these young kids interacting one on one with the wolves it dons on me. What could be better than spending your summer days surrounded by incredible wild animals? What a fantastic summer camp!

What to look for at Charmingfare Farm Summer Camps -

(1) Animals

Over the years Charmingfare farm has grown to be home to more than just a few animals.

Their wildlife is extensive and includes, but is not limited to: a hawk, a falcon, an owl, ponies, miniature horses, saddle horses, donkeys, giant draft horses, pigs, chickens, black bears, a cougar, a Canadian lynx, a pack of wolves, a ton of goats, wolverines, skunks, fisher cats, red fox, sheep, llama, ducks, river otter, porcupine, alpacas, peacocks, oxen, rabbit, swans, turkeys, cattle, oxen, reindeer and swans.

(2) Individual Attention

Groups are kept small. The maximum number of campers Charmingfare Farm will accept in the jr. campers program (ages 5 and 6) is twelve. There is plenty of positive interaction with the counselors and staff. In addition all of the counselors are adults and have received training in emergency care and are CPR certified. While riding the horses children always wear helmets and the staff seems very conscious of safety. It is always nice to know young campers are in safekeeping!

(3) Variety

Charmingfare Farm Summer Camps are offered at different times through out the summer. Each camp follows a different theme to offer the campers variety. The camp dates and themes are listed ahead of time at www.charmingfare.com . This way parents and kids can decide a head of time what camp session sound interesting to them and sign up accordingly. Charmingfare Farm offers one session called "Animal Trackers", in which the older campers go trekking with Llamas and explore 180 acres of the farm in order to find tracks. Another session called "Little Riders" encourages kids ages five and six to come saddle up. They will have a chance to get to know the horses on the farm. While another session called "Reptiles and Raptors" promises to be full of fun for those campers who enjoy slithery creatures and majestic birds. With more offerings entitled "Animal Instincts", "Dressed for Success", "Crawlin' with Critters", "Barnyard Buddies" and "Jr. Zoo Keepers" there is sure to be at least one of interest.

(4) Camp Tuition

For the younger campers, called "jr. campers", the sessions run for three consecutive days. These three days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The campers in this group are ages five and six. The cost is $119 a week. The children spend four hours each day at camp, from 9am to 1pm. While the older children, ages seven through sixteen have a longer day. Their day at the farm lasts from 9am to 4pm and they stay for the whole week instead of just the three days. Tuition for this group is $279 a week and from the ear to ear smiles I witnessed on the campers that day at the farm; it seems to be worth every penny. So, this summer while looking for a fun experience for the kids, consider a week full of fun at a summer camp surrounded by amazing wildlife!