what are school's out camps?

School's Out Camps at Clapping Hands Farm are designed to be a perfect "day off" – an exiting array of art projects, nature explorations, group games, with good company, COMBINED with a relaxed pace, and lots of room to choose what you feel like doing. At some of our Schools Out Camps, children are welcome to sign up for the week or by the day; other camps are building a community and project over a weeks time and full week participation works best. 

School's out for a variety of reasons. . . teacher work days, conferences, holidays, and spring break. . . we have a schedule of times that we are planning "School's Out" fun at Clapping Hands Farm. I know that track out and vacation schedules vary, and I am happy to consider additional dates for your convenience, JUST ASK!

HOMESCHOOLERS are always welcome at our School's Out Camps, which work wonderfully as a "teacher work day" for parents and a fun day of art, games, outdoor explorations and other fun for the young people.

upcoming

We will host two weeks of SPRING BREAK CAMP, the first two weeks of APRIL 2012. 

TOYS AND GAMES CAMP- APRIL 2-6- with Jan Burger and Louise Omoto Kessel. Ages 7-13. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participation by the week or by the day is welcome. A full description of this camp can be found on the SUMMER CAMPS page. 

CELEBRATE SPRING CAMP- APRIL 9-13- with Jimmy Magoo and Louise Omoto Kessel. Ages 5-13. Hours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Full week participation ONLY. A full description of this camp can be found on the Summer CAMPS page. 

CAMP DIRECTOR AND OTHER STAFF

Louise Omoto Kessel is the camp director at Clapping Hands Farm. She is a professional storyteller, a printmaker (woodblocks), an environmental educator (founder of the Haw River Festival, former Park Naturalist for a NC State Park, former caretaker for the Nature Conservancy, worked on the Hudson River Clearwater "flag ship of the environmental movement), and the homeschooling mom to Jabu age 10 and Makayla age 7.

Holmes Graybeal is the farmer, the builder and the Dad of Clapping Hands Farm. Much of what's wonderful about this place is here because of Holmes and he assists in many ways with the smooth functioning and fun at our camps.

Camp Counselors will assist Louise with each day of School's Out Camp at Clapping Hands Farm. We aim to keep the staff-camper ratio at 1-5 or better (and it's usually more like 1-3).

REGISTRATION 

TO REGISTER please send an email with your child/ren's full name, date of birth and WHICH DAYS you wish to register for.

This will put your children on the roster TEMPORARILY. To CONFIRM their registration, please send payment in full and and send in our camp forms. Camp Forms can be found on the "REGISTRATION" page of our Camp Website: ClappingHandsFarm.com

A FEW MORE DETAILS

Campers should bring a water bottle with their name on it, a hearty lunch, and a complete change of clothes (just in case we get soaked or incredibly dirty). DRESS FOR THE WEATHER!

Campers should NOT bring electronic toys or other things that would distract from engaging in creative activities with our merry group!

CLAPPING HANDS FARM is set 3/4 of mile back from the paved road. We are "off the grid" with solar powered electricity, a hand pump at the well, and no public utilities. There are acres and acres of field, forest and ponds to explore here. Our "facility" includes a large open camp shelter, outhouses, and gravity powered hand washing sinks.