MSU Extension Tollgate Farm and Education Center

Sprouts Half Day Camp: Thursday 

Duck  Visit

Today the Sprouts Campers visited the ducks! Since today is all about water, it only seemed fitting to have our water loving fowl as our animal visit of the day. Campers got to visit their pen, fill up their pool, observe and enjoy their behaviors, and learn all about how they have a superpower called an oil gland that allows them to waterproof their feathers to help keep them buoyant and dry. 

Story Time: Water Protectors 

 During our story time today we enjoyed a snack of "bugs" Cheese and crackers with apple wings and raisen eyes. During this time campers enjoyed the story "We are Water Protectors". This story is about the protection of the earths waters against harm and corruption. 

Pond Study 

 Today the campers got to explore the macroinvertebrates in our pond. From Crayfish to Mayflies and snails campers got to get up close and maybe a little wet as they dipped their toes in the life of a water scientist. The campers were not upset to enjoy this moment in the cool shade with the cool water flowing between their toes. 

Fishy Story 

 This activity was all about Fred the fish and his experience with the water that he calls home. From the food that we eat, the activities that we enjoy, the places we call home, all have an impact on our water. Although non of us can be perfect, we can make a positive change. What changes can you make in your life to help keep out water safe and clean for Fred and for ourselves. 

Boat Building 

 The final fun and exciting activity for today was boat building. Today we used recycled materials to construct a boat that could float on water. What kind of characteristics make a boat float? What recycled goods would make a good material for a boat? Bad? Campers enjoyed getting creative in their boat design, this was an activity that was hard to end. 

Sprouts Half Day Camp: Friday 

Bean Art 

 Bean art? Yep you heard that right! We started our morning learning about seeds by completing an art project using beans as our medium. Campers got creative from barn animals to humans, to abstract pieces of art. Each piece was unique and fun! 

CSA Field Visit with Farmer Darby 

Today the campers took a trip to the CSA fields (Community Supported Agriculture). Farm Darby met us at the front gate to take us on a Sprouts Camp Field tour. Campers visited the herb beds to learn how to extract the oils from the leaves to smell the different scents, to the carrots and squash to learn about the life cycle, to the fennel to taste the sweetness in a stem and fluffy feather feeling of their foliage. Then to the HOT tomato hoops to play a ripe tomato eye spy! The final two visits were to the Purple peppers, yep the CSA has purple peppers and the apple orchard to visit the bee hives. Camper loved to learn about plant life cycles and learn more about the importance of bees in an ag. 

 Vermicomposting 

Worms, worms, worms! How do worms help us on the farm? Well they help decompose our food waste to help create healthy nutritious soil for our plants to grow! Campers got up close and personal to these worms learning about their body structure, life cycle, and more! They may be slippery and wiggly but they are also super cool and helpful! We were so proud of the campers bravery and curiosity this week!  

Pony Snack 

Ponies like to eat too! Campers this week got to learn some kitchen skills (how to use a knife, cleanliness, nutrition). We prepared a fruit and vegetable salad for the ponies to enjoy. Campers got a chance to cut carrots, celery, and apples. Once all the ingredients were prepared and mixed it was time to visit the ponies and boy did they LOVE their treat! 

Popsicles and Mr. Mister. 

 Its ay 5 of camp so that means POPSCILES! And its super hot so also our famous Cherry Tree Mister Mister. Campers enjoyed sneaking away from the heat and enjoying something cool and refreshing. 

Thank you all for a fabulous week. Ms. Alex, Ms. Katie, and Ms. Sara truly loved getting to know each one of you and we look forward to seeing all of you again at the farm again soon! 

Check our more of our Sprouts photos here!

2022 Sprouts Camp