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2008 SUMMER CAMP - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the philosophy behind the Summer Program?
For what age children are you offering the Summer Program?
What are Summer Program dates?
What about Specialty Camp?
Where will the Summer Program be located?
How much does the Summer Program cost?
How do I register my child/children?
How does the discount work?
Are scholarships available?
What is the curriculum focus of the Summer Program?
What does a day in the Summer Program look like?
What are my child’s options for lunch? UPDATED [4 JUN 2008]
What happens during the Aftercare portion of the program?
What is the significance of the cultures listed on the Registration Form for each week?
How has the Summer Program changed since last year?
What are the two specialty camps being offered in July-August?

We believe that gardening, art and cooking are tools for building diversity and fostering respect for self and others. Diversity, respect, and good health are cornerstone to building healthy kids, who in turn will be future leaders of healthy communities. We work to foster environmental stewardship and civic responsibility in children while maintaining a creative and playful attitude about life.

The basic summer program is offered for children ages 7 through 12. Each child is assigned to a cohort based on his/her age: 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 year-olds.

The two-week specialty camps are offered for children ages 10 through 12.

Harvesting the Imagination, Farm in the City's basic program, starts on June 16 and runs for six weeks (six sessions, each one-week long), ending on July 25.

The basic program will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Day care (Aftercare) is available every day from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The two specialty camps, for ages 10-12, run concurrently for two weeks, starting July 28 and ending August 8.

The Specialty camp will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Day care (Aftercare) is available every day from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

More details on the Specialty Camps here

As of mid-April, the Dunning Recreation Center building remained closed by the City of Saint Paul. We have made arrangements to use Concordia University’s facilities for the program.

We still will have use of all outdoor areas at the Dunning Rec Center, including playground, picnic area, and garden, so we expect minimal disruption to our activities. We do not have access to a kitchen at Concordia, so our curriculum will shift focus to gardening, art and environmental science.

The basic Summer Program, Harvesting the Imagination, is five days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the cost is $165.00 per week.

Each of the specialty camps runs for two weeks, five days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the cost is $330.00 for two weeks.

Aftercare is available five days a week during both the basic program and specialty camps, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., and the cost is $60.00 per week.

A 10% discount is available if you register more than one child, or if you enroll your child for three or more weeks, and you pay in full by May 31st. Go to details on discounts

In addition, scholarships are available. Download a 2008 Scholarship Application Form [PDF]

Download a PDF version of the Registration Form

Print and complete both pages of the form, one for each child you’re enrolling in the program. Send the Registration Forms, along with a check, to the address listed at the top of the form.

If you wish to apply for a scholarship, complete the Registration Form up to and including the “Total Fees less Discount” box. Then, download a Scholarship Application Form [PDF]. Follow directions on the Scholarship Application, and mail the Scholarship Application with your Registration Form(s).

You can take a 10% discount if you meet either of the following conditions, and pay in full by May 31st:

a) You enroll two or more children for any number of weeks. The discount applies to each child being enrolled.

or

b) You enroll a child for at least three weeks.

Yes. Scholarships are available based on financial need.

If you wish to apply for a scholarship, complete the Registration Form [PDF] up to and including the Total Fees box. Then, download a Scholarship Application Form [PDF].

Follow directions on the Scholarship Application Form, and mail the Scholarship Form with your Registration Form(s).

Our curriculum is based on outdoors, hands-on, experiential learning that does not normally occur in a classroom, focused in the areas of horticulture, art and environmental science.

Horticulture – Children spend time learning about and working in the garden—planting, weeding and harvesting—along with analysis of the science behind growing a garden.

Art – Children learn about world cultures by doing a variety of art projects based on those cultures. Each week, children work with culturally specific media and create an art project which enhances their understanding of the culture.

Environmental Science – Children will engage in activities and experiments in the fields of biology, chemistry, geology, climatology and hydrology. These may sound like difficult subjects, but we find ways to connect the topics to children’s experiences.

Monday begins with an orientation for children who are new to the Summer Program.
Tuesday through Thursday, the day begins with a snack.

From 9:30 to 11:00, and again from 11:00 to 12:30, children will participate in planned activities. Lunch and play is from 12:30 to 1:30. The day’s final activity is from 1:30 to 3:00.

On Friday afternoons, parents, friends and family are invited to witness and celebrate the week’s accomplishments.

[Updated 4 June 08] After reviewing requirements of the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program, we have decided NOT to participate in the program. As a result, every child must bring their own lunch. Refrigeration is NOT available. We WILL provide children with snacks.

Children set the pace for recreation time after the basic program ends at 3:00 p.m. The garden, park, and playground set the stage for structured and unstructured playtime.

Each of the six one-week long sessions in our Basic Program will feature a different ethnic theme, celebrating the cultural diversity of people, plants, food and art from around the world.

We will do our best to hold true to the culture week schedule outlined on the Registration Form, but there’s no guarantee. The schedule could change.

• Our basic program is now five days in length. (In 2007, the basic program was four days in length, with separate registration for “Games of the World Friday.”)
• Discount - You can deduct 10% from your total fees if you have multiple children in the program or if you register for more than three weeks of camp, provided you register and pay before May 31st.
• We’re using a Scholarship Application (available upon request) for access to financial aid.
• You can make a donation to our Scholarship Fund, which enables more kids to attend our program.
• You can volunteer your services during the program.
• We have a Cancellation/Absence policy.

We’re excited this year to be partnering with Concordia University’s Hmong Culture and Language Program for our two specialty camps: “Photography and Documentary Filmmaking” and “Community Art Project.” Because these programs are more intensive, we’re limiting them to ages 10 through 12.

The collaboration with Concordia’s program allows Farm in the City to leverage the skills and experience of its staff with the skills and experience of Concordia staff. The result is that the specialty camps offer Farm in the City participants an excellent opportunity to work, learn and play with a larger group of experienced teachers and children from different cultures.

Photography and Documentary Filmmaking - Tell your personal story by journaling in pictures through photography and filmmaking. You’ll learn to use film and digital cameras, conduct interviews, learn photochemical film developing and printing, and digital editing. Your final achievement will be a documentary piece.

Community Art Project – “Community art” engages a team of people in the creation of a piece of art for display in the community. This session will be led by St. Paul and Minneapolis artists, who will lead you in creating a community art piece that will be on public display at Concordia University.

For more information about Concordia’s Hmong Culture and Language Program, see www.csp.edu/HmongCultureLanguage

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Register Today!

QUESTIONS? Contact Tom Guetler, Executive director
Email tomg@farminthecity.org or call 651-249-9279