2026 Jr. Farmer Summer Camp
Jr. Farmer Summer Camp 2025
We are pleased to announce the upcoming sessions of our Jr. Farmer summer camp. This year, we will offer six-week-long programs designed for children aged 4-12 who have a passion for animals and the outdoors, as well as a desire to learn about farm life.
Our Summer Day Camp at Pactamere Farm features a range of engaging, hands-on activities, including caring for various farm animals such as chickens, goats, and alpacas, as well as participating in gardening, cheese-making, and crafting projects. Campers will also enjoy unique experiences like goat yoga and painting flowerpots, ensuring a week filled with enjoyable and educational farm activities.Additionally, this year we are excited to introduce swimming in our new pool, so please ensure your child comes prepared with a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and a towel each day.
To conclude the week, we will host an ice cream social and an award ceremony on Friday to celebrate the campers' accomplishments.
Each participant will leave with new skills, friendships, and lasting memories, along with a photo collage of their week and two complimentary tickets to one of our summer movie nights.
Fostering friendships with hands-on outdoor experiences in nature
During each week long session, campers develop meaningful connections, explore new forms of self-expression, and dig deep in multifaceted projects inspired by life on our farm.
campers fill their days with discovery
We transform chores into enjoyable activities! Each day, campers engage in farm tasks such as planting and harvesting vegetables, creating innovative crafts, tending to the animals, exploring ecological concepts, participating in community games, swimming, and unleashing their creativity with crafts.
Each week at camp offers a unique experience, with a distinct emphasis on engaging games, activities, and crafts that provide enjoyment and variety.
Each camp session provides your children an array of exciting new activities, crafts and gamez to broaden their world and nurture their connections to nature, history, farm life and ecology.
2025 Dates and Rates
Co-ed | Ages 4-12 | $425 per week
1-week sessions
2026 Summer Camp Schedule
Pactamere Farm Jr. Farmer Summer Camp operates for 11 weekly sessions during Summer
2026!
PACTAMERE FARM — SUMMER CAMP 2026 CALENDAR
Staff Training (No Camp): June 1–5
WEEK 1: June 8–12 — The Great Outdoors
WEEK 2: June 15–19 — Planting & Gardening (Pumpkin Harvest)
WEEK 3: June 22–26 — Caring for Animals & Veterinary Care
WEEK 4: June 29–July 3 — Patriotic Week (Red, White & Farm Blue)
WEEK 5: July 6–10 — Life on a Working Farm
WEEK 6: July 13–17 — Farm Food Week (Garden to Table)
WEEK 7: July 20–24 — Building, Creativity & Farm Engineering
WEEK 8: July 27–31 — Mad Scientist Week (Farm Experiments)
WEEK 9: August 3–7 — Farm Animal Olympics
WEEK 10: August 10–14 — Survivor Week (Farm Challenge)
WEEK 11: August 17–21 — Celebration & Reflection (Farm Luau)
Early Bird Discount if registered before March 1st!
Payments and Discount
Enroll by March 1 to enjoy a discount of $25 off!
Customers have the option to pay either in full or through installments with a $150 deposit.
Additionally, parents will receive a $25 discount for each camper if two or more children from the same family are registered for the camp. This discount will be automatically applied during the checkout process.
Pactamere Counselors in Training Program
Ages 13-15
ABOUT THE COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING (CIT) PROGRAM
The Pactamere Farm Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program is an immersive leadership and skill-building opportunity for motivated teens who enjoy working with children, helping with animals, and being part of a positive camp environment. CITs support our summer camp team by assisting with activities, crafts, animal care, and camper engagement while developing communication skills, confidence, and responsibility. Our CIT Program is designed to prepare teens for future work experiences, volunteer roles, and eventual camp counselor positions at Pactamere Farm or beyond.
PROGRAM PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY
The CIT Program exists to:
- Build real leadership and communication skills
- Foster teamwork, patience, and responsibility
- Teach safe and appropriate childcare strategies
- Introduce animal handling basics and farm operations
- Provide resume-building experience in a supportive environment
- Prepare teens for future employment and community service
CITs are never responsible for safety decisions or discipline, but they play an important role in supporting younger campers, encouraging participation, and helping camp operations run smoothly.
WHAT CITs DO DURING CAMP
CITs work alongside trained staff and may assist with:
- Helping campers during crafts and activities
- Encouraging shy or nervous campers
- Supporting transitions between stations and activities
- Setting up and cleaning up project areas
- Assisting with snack and water breaks
- Helping with animal feeding, grooming, and enrichment
- Leading small games or stations under supervision
- Modeling positive leadership and behavior
CITs are never left alone with children and are always supported by adult staff.
CERTIFICATIONS PROVIDED
Every CIT receives on-site training and certification in:
- CPR and AED (Child and Infant)
- Babysitting and Childcare Safety
These certifications are provided by Pactamere Farm at no extra cost and are issued upon successful completion during the camp season. These credentials are excellent additions to school resumes, job applications, volunteer forms, and future staff positions.
ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS
To participate, CITs must:
- Be 13 to 15 years old (as of June 1, 2026)
- Enjoy working with younger children
- Be comfortable outdoors and around animals
- Demonstrate maturity, respect, and a willingness to learn
No prior experience is required.
SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT
CITs may register for:
- Individual weekly camp sessions
- Multi-week sessions
- Full summer placement (when available)
CITs participate in:
- Staff Training Week prior to camp start
- Daily mentorship and leadership practice
- End-of-session skill evaluation
All CITs report during normal camp hours and must complete designated training sessions for certification.
DEPOSIT AND STIPEND PROGRAM
To promote commitment and attendance, families pay a 400 dollar refundable deposit at registration. Upon successful completion of the program (attendance, conduct, and participation), CITs receive their 400 dollar deposit refunded plus a 100 dollar weekly stipend. CITs do not receive hourly wages, as this is a youth leadership training program and not an employee position.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES
By the end of the summer, CITs will have experience in:
- Leadership and teamwork
- Childcare and behavior support
- Communication and conflict resolution
- Time management and task follow-through
- Customer service and professionalism
- Animal handling and farm safety basics
- CPR/AED and Babysitting Certification
WHY JOIN THE CIT PROGRAM
For parents, this program offers:
- A safe and structured introduction to leadership
- Professional certifications included
- Positive mentorship and supervised responsibilities
For teens, this program provides:
- A near-counselor experience
- Confidence and independence
- Resume and volunteer applications support
- Opportunities for service learning hours
- A fun and meaningful summer experience
LIMITED SPOTS
To maintain high-quality mentorship, CIT positions are limited each week. Early registration is recommended.
Counselor in Training (CIT )Program
We’re building our 2026 summer team!
NOW HIRING — SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS! 🌞
Looking for a fun summer job?
Like kids? Like being outside?
Want to spend your summer with animals?
APPLY FOR CAMP COUNSELOR! 🌞
📅 June–August
🌎 Glen Allen, VA
💰 $15–$25/hr
🎉 Fun, outdoors, & hands-on
Summer Camp Registration is Now Open!
Join us for 11 weeks of outdoor fun, animal encounters, crafts, water play, and unforgettable memories at the farm. Space is limited and weeks fill fast!