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.

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. 

During registration, you may enter one mutual grouping request. To be placed together, both campers must be in the same program and have each other listed in their UltraCamp account. Although we make every effort to honor your grouping preference whenever possible, please understand that we can never guarantee that children will be grouped together.

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. 

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. 

Staff are trained to create a supportive environment by doing the following:

• Using a calm and respectful tone of voice, positive language, facial expressions to match child’s mood, and validating children’s feelings.
• Using guidance techniques to assist in adapting to camp routines and activities, including coaching, role modeling, redirection, and expectation setting.
• Providing opportunity for choice and child-led learning.
• Encouraging positive interaction between and among children by offering collaborative activities and modeling social skills.
• Using youth’s pronouns or preferred name.

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

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.

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. 

Counselors-in-Training (CITs) are campers ages 12–13 who play an important role on our Farmer Camp team. They assist counselors, help with daily activities, and encourage younger campers to explore and learn.
CITs gain leadership experience, build confidence, and spend their days outdoors discovering farm life, caring for animals, and learning about agriculture and farm practices.
They get a full, hands-on camp experience while developing skills that prepare them for future farm opportunities.

We expect CITs 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 CITs. 
• 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 CIT program.

You will receive one Farm Camp Counselor in Training t-shirts, which you are expected to wear every day you attend as a CIT. 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.

Counselors in Training 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, Counselors in Training 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 - CIT 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 - CIT Debrief

No. The Counselor-in-Training program is a paid camp experience where CITs gain hands-on learning, leadership skills, and a full camp day of farm activities. It's designed to prepare campers for potential summer work at 14, but participants do not receive a paycheck.

Participating in the CIT program does not guarantee a job at 14, but it gives campers a head start.
CITs gain hands-on experience, learn about farm operations, and build leadership skills that help when applying for future roles.
Managers also get to know CITs’ work ethic and skills, which can give them an advantage in the hiring process for summer positions.
It’s a valuable experience that prepares campers to be confident, capable, and ready for future opportunities.  

Absolutely! Completing the CIT program gives campers valuable hands-on experience, leadership skills, and teamwork opportunities.
You can include your CIT experience on your resume, college applications, and honors programs like the National Junior Honor Society or National Honor Society.
It’s a great way to show initiative, responsibility, and real-world skills.