College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Alumni & Friends

Summer camp season is officially here. For the staff at MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center, a 160-acre working farm in Novi, MI, that means the arrival of hundreds of campers between June 24 and August 31. Camp experiences at Tollgate allow students of all ages the enriching opportunity to work hands-on with the natural world in a way that is educational and fun. Through a variety of programs, campers learn to safely and sustainably interact with the natural world around them.  

MSU Extension Tollgate Farm Camps are a program of Michigan 4-H Youth Development. Tollgate values applying the education model of “Do, Reflect, Apply” to take charge of their learning and help campers draw the connections between what they experience at the farm and relate it back to what they are learning in the classroom. This allows for a more authentic learning experience that campers will carry with them long after camp ends. 

Tollgate Farm and Education Center director Katie Peet is excited to welcome campers back to the farm this summer. “This is a great time of year for Tollgate with so much excitement in the air, said Peet. “I always love seeing new groups come and have unforgettable experiences.”

Each week of camp features unique themes and educational activities. These activities may involve learning to cook in the Garden Kitchen, nurturing the farm animals, sowing and harvesting the garden and other forms of nature exploration across the 160-acre farm. Camp curriculums strive to apply STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) concepts, teach social and emotional skills and provide leadership opportunities.  

This summer, Tollgate is hosting camps ranging from learning first aid, shelter building and fire safety at “Survival Camp,” to exploring pond life, canoeing, water filtration and boat building at “Splish Splash Water Camp.” See the MSU Tollgate Farm website for the full list of camps hosted this summer. 

Community support makes lifechanging Tollgate experiences possible 

Tollgate offers experiential learning opportunities based on credible research and proven practices to enhance the students’ learning experience. Research shows that youth who participate in nature and agricultural-based learning programs are more likely to be set up for success later in life.  

Students involved with these types of programs have been shown to perform better on tests in a variety of subjects. Also, learning in an outdoor environment has been proven to positively affect social and emotional health outcomes. 

“One field trip to Tollgate could be a life-changing experience for a student,” said Peet. “Access to these impactful experiences could end up being the moment that inspires them to a college education or a natural resource-oriented career path.” 

Tollgate is dedicated to offering underserved communities across Michigan access to its transformative programs and educational experiences. Scholarships through MSU Extension Oakland County 4-H are available to enable more students to benefit from the empowering opportunities created by a Tollgate summer camp experience. Additionally, the Tollgate Access for All Educational Programs fund exists to help increase community access to impactful Tollgate programing.  

Ellen Koehler, Education Coordinator at MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center said that contributions to this fund helps Tollgate expand access to their programming for all students, regardless of their financial background. “Without outside support, these students might not have ever had the opportunity to come here and be a part of one of our programs,” said Koehler. “It is crucial that Tollgate is accessible to everyone.” 

Donor support plays a critical role in expanding these opportunities so all students can benefit from the programs and experiences offered at Tollgate. You can support the Tollgate Access for All Educational Programs fund here.

‘A magical oasis of beauty and life’  

Tollgate has a long history of providing unique extension programming to the public. Originally conceived as a 4-H facility, Tollgate has evolved into an education and event center for people of all ages.  

The farm offers camps and various educational programs throughout the year for kids, adults, and families in a variety of different subject areas. Tollgate offers facility rentals for events, including a conference center, historic barn, farm grounds and more. Tollgate also features over 20 planned and maintained gardens, each highlighting a different aspect of horticulture. Some are functional, such as the farm’s nursery, while others are designed to be aesthetic and educational, such as the Children’s Garden.   

"Tollgate Farm is a magical oasis of beauty and life, offering opportunities to explore nature in many forms. It provides peaceful settings and exciting educational, recreational and community service activities uniquely focused on garden and farm life." – MSU Tollgate Farm Visitor

The gardens are free to the public for self-guided experiences. Guided tours can also be arranged. The gardens host spring and fall plant sales featuring many affordably priced perennials in healthy condition. All funds raised through this sale goes directly to support the maintenance of the gardens.

Visit Tollgate Farm’s website to learn more about events, programs and resources available to the public.