Location: Crystal Spring Farm
277 Pleasant Hill Road
Brunswick, Maine 04011
Phone: 207-729-1112
Website: www.crystalspringcsa.com
Email: info@crystalspringcsa.com
Products and Services:
-community supported agriculture
-farm camp
-apprenticeship program
-lamb
-lambskins
-electronic weekly farm newsletter to CSA
members
What Makes Crystal Spring Farm Unique?
Several features of Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick could qualify the farm as being classified as unique. The fact that the farm is leased from the Brunswick and Topsham Land Trust and that it was saved from development in 1997, is justification for a great story in itself. A feature on raising Katahdin Hair Sheep could easily materialize. Then there is the dynamic apprenticeship training program that Crystal Spring has successfully introduced for five young men and women each year. This training program could constitute several webpages of coverage. The vibrant CSA program is certainly worthy of attention, as well. It is the farm camp; however, that was chosen as a very unique offering of Crystal Spring Farm and that will become a major focus of these webpages about the farm.
There are other farms who offer farm camp experiences. What stands out about the Crystal Spring Farm Camp is the sense that many of the activities with which the campers are involved truly affect the workings and success of the farming enterprise at Crystal Spring. When one learns that the children helped in the harvesting of 300 pounds of carrots one morning there is no question that they learned firsthand about the work involved in growing and gathering crops. If they took the opportunity to taste one of the carrots that they harvested there is a good chance that they are on the road to an appreciation in their lives for produce that is fresh and that is grown locally.
Most summer day camps have activities that are
somewhat universal in nature such as playing games, enjoying a snack, making a craft, reading a story, or rest time, etc. Crystal Spring Farm Summer Camp incorporates these activities but also schedules activities that enable youngsters to really experience the responsibilities, challenges, and joys of farming.
Campers at Crystal Spring Farm Camp don’t
just watch the lambs, pigs, and chickens being fed or watered - they actually actively help to feed and water them. When it comes time to learn about the importance of weeding, they help Seth
and Maura and the apprentices with the weeding. When it’s time to make something healthy to eat the campers are invited to participate in the entire process.
Underlying the activities at the Crystal Spring Farm Camp are some beliefs in the value of eating healthy foods and the importance of caring and respect for our physical well-being, our land, and one another.
There are many opportunities each day at camp to fully experience many of the chores and activities that are involved in the operation of a farm. Campers learn firsthand about soil preparation, seeding, transplanting, watering, weeding, harvesting, washing, and eating vegetables and herbs.
Many hand-held technological games, computer-generated movies and music, and cable television offerings exist today and often captivate youngsters. Educators often express a sense of loss for the limited time some children actually spend outdoors. It is very refreshing to observe youngsters at the Crystal Spring Farm Camp interacting in an outdoor setting where creativity and imagination proved to be the highlight of their snack time.
There was an abundance of snails living in
the vegetation near the snack area. The campers
very cleverly opted to set up an imaginary society
where there was a veterinarian checking the
health of the snails, several snail collectors,
a pet shop selling the snails, and a snail doctor.
This make-believe society even had a green currency system in place - not money, but leaves!
The excitement of the campers was clearly obvious. Their imaginary play was self-directed.
An observer couldn’t help but smile at their
creativity, resourcefulness, and ability to include
everyone in some capacity.
All the campers were also included in helping to make frittatas that day, as well. The cooking class began with an explanation of the activity. This was followed by a trip to several gardens to gather various herbs and vegetables. The campers then volunteered to wash and cut and prepare the various ingredients from the garden. Tasting and smelling and feeling the various fresh ingredients was encouraged and each child seemed rather proud of the part they played in making the special treat.
There are several options for the Crystal Spring
Farm Camp. Pre-school children can attend a one-week morning session of Farm Camp during two different weeks. There are two sessions of Farm Camp for 6-12 year-old children from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during two different weeks.
A brand new offering for campers this year is Yoga Farm Camp for 8-12 year-olds where a yoga practice of stretching, moving, and mindfulness exercises will be offered at the beginning and end of each day at camp.
Maura Bannon is the Director of the Farm Camps at Crystal Spring Farm. She is a licensed
social worker, mother, and educator. She is also a certified ChildLight Yoga children’s yoga teacher. She described the new Yoga Camp as “keeping it light, and not on trying to turn ourselves into fancy pretzels.”
