Dirty Fingernails Garden Camp
in partnership with Fruition Seeds
and
Mutual Aid Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Garden Camp Transition
Dear Camp Community,
We want to express our gratitude to all of you who have shared in the Dirty Fingernails Garden Camp experience with us over the past three years. It has been such a gift to grow community with you all.
Due to shifting life events, we will not be running garden camp this coming summer (2025). We know that the Dirty Fingernails Garden Camp community will carry forward the values and friendships that have formed, with or without camp running. We’re thankful to know this and recognize that it will bring life and joy into our wider communities.
Our campers and their families each have a special place in our hearts that we couldn’t fully anticipate when we started this adventure. Even though we won’t see you at camp next summer we’re looking forward to seeing you out and about!
Warmly,
Anneke and Janean
What is Dirty Fingernails Garden Camp?
Dirty Fingernails Garden Camp is an immersive, interactive, and empowering day camp for children ages 7 to 13. We believe deeply in sharing the magic and joy of growing food and ourselves in the open air of a working farm. Located on Fruition Seeds Farm in Naples, NY, Garden Camp includes fun, hands-on learning activities and daily themes focused on gardening and science. Experienced, certified educators share their passions and knowledge while embracing the amazing teachable moments that come with being a part of the farm community.
Who is Dirty Fingernails Camp for?
Dirty Fingernails camp welcomes all children. This camp is for:
For those looking for a space to belong & for those unsure of belonging
For the child who prefers to learn outside while moving & for the child who prefers reading and reflecting
For the kids who love playing games & the kids who love art
For the ones that want to have fun, to grow plants, and to be connected to the world around them!
For the child that loves dirt & for the child that isn’t sure they love dirt
For the ones who garden at home & for the those who don’t garden at home
For the ones who aren’t sure they can garden at home & for the ones who would love to garden at home
For the young people that wonder about the world around them & for the young people who haven’t begun to wonder as deeply yet
2024 Garden Camps
2024 Camp Info
Dirty Fingernails Garden Camp: Seed to Flower
(Ages 10-13)
July 15-19, 2024
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
@ Fruition Seeds Farm,
7921 Hickory Bottom Rd, Naples NY
Where do seeds come from? How does a seed become a plant? Are all roots the same? What about all leaves? Stems? Why are there flowers? Do all plants have flowers? Do all plants have seeds? The questions are endless! Join us for a week of exploring possible answers to these and many other questions.
Daily themes focus on gardening, ecology, and connection, taught through the lenses of diversity and interconnectedness. Learning is hands on, student focused, and fun! :) Sample activities might include: scavenger hunts, farm walks, planting, seed harvesting, nature journaling, nature art and lots more!
(Returning campers should come prepared for some familiar things and some new things! Come ready to share what you’ve learned in the year since we’ve seen you and be open to what others have to offer!)
Dirty Fingernails Garden Camp: Seed to Flower
(Ages 7-9)
July 22-26, 2024
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
@ Fruition Seeds Farm,
7921 Hickory Bottom Rd, Naples NY
Where do seeds come from? How does a seed become a plant? Are all roots the same? What about all leaves? Stems? Why are there flowers? Do all plants have flowers? Do all plants have seeds? The questions are endless! Join us for a week of exploring possible answers to these and many other questions.
Daily themes focus on gardening, ecology, and connection, taught through the lenses of diversity and interconnectedness. Learning is hands on, student focused, and fun! :) Sample activities might include: scavenger hunts, farm walks, planting, seed harvesting, nature journaling, nature art and lots more!
(Returning campers should come prepared for some familiar things and some new things! Come ready to share what you’ve learned in the year since we’ve seen you and be open to what others have to offer!)
Meet the Instructors
Anneke Radin-Snaith
is a passionate gardener, a learner, and a life coach. She has worked in education for over 25 years, in both traditional and non-traditional settings. Her roles have included: 1:1 aide, social studies teacher, and district leader. She loves creating and facilitating learning opportunities for folks of all ages.
Janean Shedd
is an enthusiastic teacher, learner, and life-long volunteer. With backgrounds in special education, outdoor education, construction work, volunteer management, and farming, she thrives helping facilitate spaces that encourage growth of all kinds!
Petra Page-Mann
believes each of us is in the world to change and be changed by the world! Life-long grower and co-founder of Fruition, Petra will be supporting Anneke, Janean and all the campers in little and large ways.
We’re excited about our offerings for next summer and can’t wait to get to know your camper!!!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at:
5dirtyfingernails@gmail.com
or
anneke@livingislearning.us