Summer Camps

2025 MSU Tollgate Farm Summer Camp

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN JANUARY 15, 2025

SUMMER CAMPS (6-12 yrs)

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CANCELLATION POLICY: If cancellation is needed, please be prompt. Cancellations from June 1 through 2 weeks prior to your first day of camp result in a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds 14 or fewer days from first day of your camp week. For all cancellations made prior to June 1st full refunds minus a $25 processing fee will be refunded.

MSU Tollgate Summer Farm Camp 2025

All the weeklong camps at MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center build community and confidence with traditional camp activities including tie dye, fishing, canoeing, farm animal chores, and food preparation in the Garden Kitchen. We focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math during different weeklong projects for each camp group and throughout the week campers have multiple opportunities to express their individual creativity. Caregivers are invited to attend our Camp Showcase on Friday afternoon where campers perform camp skits and we display some of their work.

Low child-to-adult ratios make camp weeks fill quickly, so register early.

For camp questions, contact Barbie Kellner, Program Manager.

kellnerb@msu.edu 248-347-0269 ext. 227

CAMP SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Oakland County 4-H and MSU Tollgate strives to provide opportunities for youth of all income levels and welcomes a broad cross-section of participants to experience farm-based experiential learning. The goal of the MSU Tollgate is to provide as many youth as possible with the opportunity to enrich learning and broaden their experiences. Oakland 4-H Offers Scholarships for their 4H members, which all of our campers become during registration. To learn more about how to apply for the Oakland 4H Scholarship, visit the Oakland County 4H website Oakland 4-H Scholarships

Summer Farm Camp Schedule 2025

$395/Week 9a.m.- 4p.m.

$60/Week 4p.m.- 5p.m aftercare option

Animal Camp: Farmyard Friends (Grades 1-3) June 16 - 20, July 21-25, August 11 - 15

Get in touch with your wild side and interact with all the animals here at Tollgate Farm! Fur, fluff, and feathers! Come to Tollgate to befriend some goofy goats, sheepish sheep, and conversating chickens and ducks. Life on a farm isn’t all about domestic animals though-- campers will also learn about the wonderful wild animals in the forest, pond, and sky! Spotlight activities include milking a goat, egg dissection, and a journey into the life of bugs.

Animal Camp: Junior Farm Hand (Grades 4-6) June 16 - 20, July 21-25, August 11 - 15

Attention all animal lovers! Our Junior Farm Hand campers will spend the week getting to know the ponies, goats, sheep, rabbits, ducks, and chickens here at Tollgate Farm. In addition to daily animal chores, we’ll experience specialized care including ultrasounds and hoof care. And because our animal obsessions reach beyond the farmyard, we’ll explore the identification and adaptations of wild animals that inhabit the Tollgate forests, fields, and water.

Survival Camp: Experience the Wild (Grades 1-3) June 23 - 27, July 14 -18, August 4 - 8

Go on a Tollgate adventure this summer with our hands-on survival camp! This survival-themed camp is for younger campers with a knack for exploration! Campers will spend a large part of their week at Tollgate out in the forest getting their hands dirty with their new camp friends while learning the basics of shelter and navigation. With the guidance of educational leaders, we’ll practice archery, learn how to identify some native birds, and go on a treasure hunt!

Survival Camp: Wilderness Warriors (Grades 4-6) June 23 - 27, July 14 -18, August 4 - 8

Learn the steps of survival to conquer the wilderness! The greatest tools for survival are all around us-- we just have to know how to use them. Throughout this camp week, campers will learn how to thrive in an unforgiving environment by practicing wilderness first aid methods, identifying edible plants, and starting fires with minimal resources. Some highlights of the week are tracking wild animals, building shelters, and archery.

Water Camp: Splish Splash (Grades 1-3) July 7 -11, July 28- August 1, August 18 - 22

Let’s fish, canoe, and play with water together! Water, water, everywhere! During this week, we’ll go on a water scavenger hunt around the fields, animal pens, and all over Tollgate Farm. How do farmers make sure their plants get all the water they need, but not too much? And the animals need water, too! We’ll also explore life in the pond and the wonderous vernal pools in the forest. If we’re lucky, we may even get a little rain. We’ll end the week with some water play on our giant slip and slide!

Water Camp: Water Wonders (Grades 4-6) July 7 -11, July 28 - August 1, August 18 - 22

Explore the wonders of water! Campers will spend the week taking a “deep dive” into water science! Tollgate Pond will be the centerpiece of our investigations as we explore the wide variety of life found both inside the water and around the shore! See some aquatic friends up close with fishing and experience the joy of water recreation with canoeing. We’ll also be able to play in water by concluding the week with some fun on our giant slip and slide!

Steward and Steward in Training Leadership Program ($200) Ages 13 - 19
The Steward and Steward-in-Training (SIT) Program is a progressive Tollgate youth development experience for teens ages 13-19 who are interested in gaining experience working with campers in agriculture and the natural sciences. Stewards-in-Training are 13-14 years of age, serve as role models for campers during activities, and commit to at least one full week of camp. Stewards are 15-19 years of age and serve as assistants to the educational leaders and mentors for both SITs and campers. Stewards must commit to at least two full weeks of camp. For more information on this program email lavignek@msu.edu.

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