Junior counselors (JCs) are a vital part of our Farmer Camp team, and they’re rock stars around camp. They’re patient, kinds, and compassionate, ages 12-13, and are looking to gain leadership experience while learning about Swans Trail Farms' agriculture, farming practices, and caring for resident farm animals. JCs spend their days outside assisting with camp activities and encouraging the curiosity of campers.

We expect JCs to be a part of making positive, memorable, and safe experiences for campers while also supporting our mission.
Camp conduct and rules that apply to campers also apply to you—always.

This includes expectations that you will:

• Maintain the physical and emotional safety of campers, staff, and volunteers.
• Be patient, kind, and compassionate. Demonstrate fairness and never play favorites.
• Respectfully communicate at all times.
• Be professional and socialize appropriately with other JCs. 
• Cultivate a sense of wonder and fun!
• Take initiative
• Support your Farm Camp Counselor’s efforts and decisions

Things you will NOT do:

• Do not touch people or livestock in anger. 
• Do not pick up children and do not allow lap sitting.
• Do not photograph or record campers.
• No cell phone or other devices should be used during camp hours. This includes text messaging.

If any of these scenarios happen, you risk removal from our JC program.

You will receive two Farm Camp Junior Counselor t-shirts, which you are expected to wear every day you attend as a JC. Otherwise, please wear comfortable, appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Keep in mind that this is a working farm and you’re working with children.

For your safety: Closed-toe shoes are required at all times.

Do not wear: Clothing with branding or reference to alcohol, drugs, sex, or other matters that would be deemed inappropriate for working with young children. In addition, do not wear revealing or impractical clothing, such as spaghetti strap shirts, low cut shirts, belly shirts, or short shorts.

Junior Counselors will lead activities for their campers, participate in projects of their own, and help plan and lead games on the final day of the camp session. At the end of each day, Junior Counselors will meet with the Counselors as a group and review the day. 

Below is a progression through the typical activities that happen every day at Farmer Camp.

8:30-8:45 AM - JC Opening Circle

8:45-9:00 AM - Camper Arrival

9:15-11:00 AM - Hands-on Farm Activities

11:15-11:45 AM - Lunch Break

11:45 - 12:45  PM - Farm Exploration, Crafts & Farmyard Play

12:45-1:00 PM - Camper Wrap-Up and Departure

1:00-1:15 PM - JC Debrief

No. Junior Counselors pay a discounted registration fee to attend and gain real-world experience throughout the week. 

While we do often hire counselors that have participated in the Junior Counselor Program, we primarily hire 16+ aged students as camp counselors and the hiring process for counselor positions is extremely competitive. All Junior Counselors will have gained valuable work experience that will prepare them to be excellent camp counselors wherever they go next.

Successfully completing the Junior Counselor Program does not guarantee employment during our festivals. However, it does provide unique benefits when applying. It gives our managers the opportunity to get to know you, your work ethic, and your skills. It also provides the opportunity to for you to learn more about our farm and become familiar with the surroundings.

Absolutely. You are also gaining valuable work experience. You can also add your Junior Counselor experience to your National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, resume and college applications.

Absolutely! Our summer camps allow one friend request, as long as that request is mutual. Please include the full name of one friend and ensure that your friend lists you on their registration. Friends of different ages will be placed with the younger group.

If the request was not included on the registration form, please email farmercamp@swanstrailfarms.com at least THREE WEEKS prior to the start of camp as groups are made in advance.

Farmer Camp is for campers ages 5-11
Campers must be potty trained.

Junior Counselors is for campers ages 12-13

Farmer Camp is located at Swans Trail Farms - 7301 Rivershore Rd, Snohomish, WA 98290. 

Drop off starts at 8:45 am

Pick up starts at 12:45 pm
We ask that parents pick up their children no later than 1:00 pm, otherwise there will be a charged fee of $25 per 15 minutes (no prorating)

Our camper to counselor ratio is 10:1

Not necessarily. As we make new groups each week, we do not purposefully keep returning campers with the same counselors or may choose to switch them into a different group of counselors if we think it will be a better fit. There are also new campers each week so the group will look different each week even if your camper ends up with the same counselors. Please communicate this potential for change with your camper(s) so it is not a surprise! If you would like your camper to stay with the same staff from week to week, please contact our office before Monday morning so we can plan ahead.

What to bring:

• Sack lunch and snacks
• Filled water bottle with camper's name on the bottle
• Sunscreen (already applied) for sunny days (and sun hat if needed)

What to wear:

• Dress for the weather and in layers
• Comfortable, athletic clothing that are ok to get dirty
• Close-toed, sturdy shoes (no crocs)
• If it's a rainy day, bring a rain jacket

We strongly recommend labeling all of your camper's clothing and belongings with their first and last name. That way, items can easily be returned when they end up in our lost and found.

We ask that you do not send campers with the following:

• Electronics
• Toys & Stuffed Animals (We want to avoid anything that will collect excess dirt or barnyard feces!)
• Trading cards

Camper pick up and drop off will occur in our North Parking Lot. This is the main entrance used for our festivals. There will be signs directing the flow of traffic - please watch for these and follow the arrows. 

Can I bring my pet to drop off or pick up?
Swans Trail Farms has a no pet policy. Please leave your dog in the car when dropping off or picking up. 

For pick up, please bring an ID. 
We take the safety of campers seriously. You will be asked to present your ID to confirm with the Authorized Grown Up list before your camper is released from camp. 

I need to drop off / pick up my child early. What do I do?
Please email us at farmercamp@swanstrailfarms.com or call (425) 330-3084 with your ETA and we will make sure you child is ready to be picked up / have a counselor waiting for your child at drop off. 

Yes & No. Our program generally follows the same schedule from week to week and covers similar topics. More popular activities may repeat week to week, but there are consistently new choices and plenty of opportunities for repeat campers to intermingle and participate in something new. 

The health and safety of your camper(s) is our top priority. Our staff are trained to be active observers of all campers and to maintain a safe group environment. We have specific ratios of staff to campers and tone setting takes place prior to all activities around our farm to establish safety expectations. We expect that your campers will listen to and respect our staff’s safety reminders and make choices that will keep their bodies as well as the rest of the group and our plants and animals safe. We also recognize that camp and our farm environment is a great place for campers to try new things and take risks within a controlled and safe setting with the encouragement and careful observation of our staff. 

All of our Swans Trail Farms Managers and many of our Farmer Camp staff are First Aid/CPR/AED certified. With trained staff, they are able to do the majority of the basic first aid we see on a day-to-day basis at camp. This training and the critical thinking skills that often come with the certifications, allow our staff to more easily recognize potential risks and facilitate their group in a way that minimizes hazards. 

Our staff is better able to meet your campers health and medical needs when we have all the information we need to take care of them while at camp. Please make sure you fill out our health form in its entirety by June 1st (unless registered after this date) and/or call us with any questions or concerns. 

Camper safety is our top priority. All staff members are required to pass background checks and attend a week of program-specific training, a majority of which is devoted to camper safety. All camp leaders are required to complete a first aid certification course within the past two years and camp leaders and counselors review safety protocols during training week. 

How does Farm Camp staff support our campers? 

• Staff provide age-appropriate support and can help campers work through big emotions, difficult moments, and collaborate with campers to develop peaceful conflict resolution if needed. 
• Staff support individual campers and groups with transitions using facilitation techniques that may include visual schedules, verbal reminders, and positive affirmations. 
• Staff allow campers choice when possible and safe for the group and individual and recognizes that participation and engagement looks different for all campers. 

What Farm Camp cannot provide: 

• Extensive behavioral support that requires continuous 1:1 attention to a camper 
• If your child receives 1:1 support at school they typically need and benefit from 1:1 support at camp as a new environment, new people, and new routine can be overwhelming. Swans Trail Farms Farmer Camp staff cannot provide 1:1 services.

We may not able to accommodate severe medical conditions requiring treatment beyond the scope of our camp. If you have questions regarding our ability to support your camper and their medical needs at camp, please contact us at 425-330-3084.

As part of the registration process, you'll provide information regarding allergies and health concerns for each camper. All medications and EpiPens should be given to the Farmer Camp Manager on Monday and taken home Friday. All of our Famer Camp counselors is trained on how to use EpiPens in case of an emergency. Please contact the Farmer Camp Manager with any specific concerns.

If your child requires medication to be administered during program time or in case of emergency, a Medication Administration Authorization form will be required. 

• All medication must be in original prescription bottles, labeled by the prescriber or pharmacist.
• Any medications brough in non-prescription bottles will not be accepted.
• Medications include inhalers, diabetic supplies, EpiPens, etc.
• Over the counter medications, including sunscreen, will be included on this form

Farmer Camp is almost entirely outdoors, and that’s the fun of it!! Staff will monitor the weather and modify activities as needed to account for the health and safety of our campers. 

Our property has lots of sunny spots – good for plants and pastures. Throughout the day, groups go off to shady areas, barns, and covered activity areas. Lunch will be in the shade or under cover.  We provide campers with fresh water throughout the day to fill their water bottle and opportunities to take a break. Please pack your camper with a water bottle!

If there is no thunder, we will be outdoors in the rain!  

In the event of severe weather, we will be in contact via email first and then phone. 

Swans Trail Farms staff will check ID and only released to the child if that person is on the authorized pick up list.

Cancellation Policy
We do not offer refunds. However, you may sell your spot to another camper or transfer to another week (see Transfer Policy).

Transfer Policy
Campers can transfer from one week to another without penalty up to four (3) three before the session they are transferring out of. Ability to transfer is contingent upon space in the week the camper wishes to transfer to.

Please do not send your camper to Farmer Camp with cell phones, smart watches, or other electronics, unless they are used for medical purposes. We want all our campers to be fully engaged and present with our programming. If you need to contact your camper or our office needs to contact you, we will use our office phones. Medical equipment is our only exception. Medical electronics must be checked in with our office/medical staff at the beginning of your camp week. 

We ask each child to participate (physically, mentally, and behaviorally) in creating a meaningful experience for themselves and others! Those who do not contribute to a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment will meet with the?Farmer?Camp Manager to discuss concerns and work together to form a behavioral plan, and the child’s family will be notified. Any child who engages in threatening, intimidating, or intentionally harmful behavior toward any person or animal will be immediately removed from program activities. The family will be notified, and the child may be asked to leave?Farmer Camp. Registration fees will not be refunded. 

If you know your camper may struggle socially, emotionally, or behaviorally, we HIGHLY recommend you reach out to our office to discuss behaviors, triggers, prevention techniques, or coping mechanisms. This will help us support your camper, prevent any issues before they start, and help them have a successful week at camp.

Please make every effort to pick up your child on time.?Pick up time is 1:00. Families?will be charged a $25.00 late fee for every 15-minute increment (no prorating). Thank you for your compliance and understanding. If you are running late, please contact the office at (425) 330-3084 or farmercamp@swanstrailfarms.com if you are able.