Westerly Summer Learning Initiative 2022
The Ayers Foundation (AF) collaborated with Southern Rhode Island Conservation District, Westerly Public Schools and community partners (Westerly Rec, United Way, Opening Doors, Westerly Education Center, and others) to offer the Westerly Summer Learning Initiative 2022 at a minimal cost to more than fifty Westerly school-age (7-14) students. Campers participated in six weekly learning expeditions, spending five weeks with hands-on learning at Hillandale Farm (an AF sister company) and local area farms and beaches. Leaders/educators on the farm included professional farmers, licensed teachers, Master Gardeners, nutrition experts, farm science undergraduate students, and a music teacher.
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While on the farm each week, campers participated in a variety of hands-on STEM activities including animal husbandry, soil management, plant care, culinary arts, nutritional science, and music/art. Students learned the basics of animal life cycles and husbandry by helping to feed the farm’s laying hens, care for baby chickens, and collect eggs. Campers discussed honey bee behavior with local apiarists, observed the farm’s resident hive activity and sampled Hillandale honey. They searched the greenhouses and garden beds for beneficial insects (incl. Natural pollinators like butterflies and bumble bees), pests, and snakes.
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Nearby Ocean Breeze Farm generously shared their time with our campers, allowing students to tour a dairy farm and help to feed the animals. Ocean Breeze was once a robust commercial dairy farm; it scaled back its operations significantly in the early 2010's, marking the end of the era of what had once been a dozen or more large commercial dairy farms in the Westerly area. Campers had thought-provoking discussions with the farmers and asked many wonderful questions.
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One week, campers had the good fortune of exploring the Fenway Beach area of Weekapaug under the guidance of area naturalist Mark Bullinger, who spoke to them about shoreline plants and animals. Students also created art using found materials, collected seaweed for use in compost, cleaned up beach litter, continued to explore healthy eating options, and sang along to some beachy tunes!
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Campers discussed different aspects of nutrition and health every week with a chef and nutrition expert. They participated in creating and sampling foods such as smoothies and tacos using local, farm-fresh ingredients. They also learned how to make fast and easy healthy snacks using whole foods.
I want more pizza. Chef Patrick makes the best pizza ever!” |
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Campers helped to weed and also to harvest ripe produce from the farm’s gardens and greenhouses. They planted and nurtured seeds of their choice. They also experimented with plant health under variable water conditions, observing plant growth patterns over several weeks. Students were sent home with a bin to transport food waste back to camp to help create new compost on the farm. Campers learned about soil fertility, soil management, and disease/pest/herb control. The small group that collectively returned the most compost to Hillandale at the end of the summer earned a special treat of farm-fresh produce.
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Campers painted pictures of insects and flowers, created art from natural materials, spent time writing in journals and even sang along to Americana folk music during weekly music sessions.
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This Summer Learning camp model has a history of success. This year's camp, as well as previous incarnations, served as an exemplary service learning model for the state of Rhode Island. The Ayers Foundation, in collaboration with The United Way, other sponsors, and community partners aim to expand/enhance this program in the future to add additional campers across a wider range of age groups and demographics, and to meet new and important learning objectives.
(Note: Above quotations are all reflections by 2022 campers.)
(Note: Above quotations are all reflections by 2022 campers.)