MSU Extension Tollgate Farm and Education Center

Sprouts Half Day Camp: Monday

Chicken Visit

Today we headed out to the chicken coop to visit our chicken flock. We learned about why we have chickens on the farm, roosters vs hens, and the parts of a chicken. Campers got to see the various breeds of chickens and the colors of eggs that different breeds lay. Some campers were even brave enough to hold onto a chicken! Chickens often are a camp favorite as they are the most hold-able of the animals. 

Story Time: Tops and Bottoms 

Everyday at camp our Sprouts group takes the time to rest and recover with a story and a snack. Today's book was called "Tops and Bottoms" which is a tale about a lazy old bear and a sneaky wise bunny. Campers enjoyed this time to relax while enjoying the comfort of shade and a fabulous book. 

Carrot Harvest

We headed over to the Educational Garden to visit the crops that camp is growing and noticed the carrots wear large and ready to be pulled. With the help of a handy pitch fork campers were each able to harvest their own carrot to snack or take home. 

Tie Dye

Camp means camp t shirts, and why not tie dye them! Campers got to decide their tie dye style and color their shirts! It was a learning process trying to figure out how to work the spray bottles, so we apologize about the splatter you might find on your campers clothes. However, campers had a great time and we cannot wait to see the finished products when we all wear our camp t shirts on Friday! 

Sprouts Half Day Camp: Tuesday

Animal Chores: Goat Milking 

Yep, you read that right! Today our sprouts campers got to milk a goat! Why might we milk a goat on a farm? We use our milk to feed their 'Kids' (baby goats that is) in the spring and then in the summer we use their milk to make soaps, bath bombs, and more! The 4-H club here makes and sells these products every Wednesday between 4:00-6:30 if you are interested! 

Wagon Ride

Today we took a warm wagon ride around the farm. The wagon is a great way to explore the areas of the farm that are often too far away to travel by feet during the camp day. Campers are able to see the animals on the farm as well as the wild animals in the forest. Also maybe the campers are able to answer the famous farm question... What's the difference between hay and straw?

Pony Grooming  

Just like humans need grooming so do our ponies! We took a trip down to the horse barn to visit Mrs. Diane and learn about caring for our horses. To keep our horses healthy we need to brush our horse's hair and clean their hooves. Today we enlisted the campers to help with this process. Campers got to hangout with Sesame and Friday in the barn, learned about the different brushes, and practice some horse grooming methods of their own. And I must say I have never seen the ponies looking better! 

Story Time

Another day means another story! Today the campers enjoyed the book: "Oh, look!" A book about a goat farmer and her experience when her three mischievous goats got out of their gate! 

Sheep Wool Felted Bracelet

Since today was all about farm animals today, as our days keep sake the campers got to make and take home a Tollgate sheep wool felted bracelet. Campers learned about the structure of wool and how we can make it stronger through the process of felting. With a little help of water, dish soap, and friction campers were able to felt processed sheep wool into a keep sake bracelet. And to make it more fun we died our bracelets in Koolaid (w/o sugar of course) to add a pop of color to our wrists! 

Sprouts Half Day Camp: Wednesday

Forest and Vernal Pool Exploration 

Wow! What a hot day! But a perfect day to enjoy the shade of the forest. After the long walk to the Tollgate Forest our sprouts got to explore the nature trails throughout our forest while learning about animals, bugs, maple sugaring, poison ivy Identification, and so much more! We also took a visit to the vernal pool, a seasonal water structure in our very own forest! 

Animal Chores: Rabbits

Today's animal visit was with our bunnies! Campers made a tight circle for our rabbit Elenore to sit in. Campers all got a turn petting and observing the bunny rabbit. We learned about lop ears, rabbit diet, and so much more! 

Story Time 

Todays story was the "Grouchy Ladybug" a story about a ladybug who does not want to share their food. I am sure we have all felt that way a time or two? Maybe more! Camper enjoyed the shade, a light breeze, and some trailmix while listening to this story. 

Plant Rubbing

The final activity of the HOT Wednesday was plant rubbings. Using nature as our subject campers placed leaves, flowers, and various plant parts under a piece of paper to try to rub its print on paper. It was beautiful to see all the textures and shapes in the leaves that campers found. Definitely a fun activity that can be done anywhere! 

Check our more of our Sprouts photos here!

2022 Sprouts Camp