Farm School
“Education is not the filing of a pail, but the lighting of a spark” -William Butler Yeats
EXPLORE
CAMP SHINEFARM SCHOOL
Reflective lessons in a safe and nurturing environment
Farm School is our signature class dedicated to the season, life science, animal husbandry, homesteading, handwork and nature inspired art. This homeschool program is offered throughout the school year in four quarters: Fall 1, Fall 2, Winter and Spring. Farm School is mixed ages Kindergarten-6th grade, family-style learning on a farm in Martinez, California.
We have a variety of farm animals (5 horses, quail, donkeys, pigs, goats, chickens, bunnies, cats and ponies) and our programs include horsemanship and riding (two riding days per session). We also have a seasonal garden that we collectively tend and we use the abundant produce for our learning and exploration.
Seasonal exploration
Farm School is reflective of the seasons and what is occurring in nature and on the farm. We take deep dives into the wonderful world of bees in the spring or mushrooms in the winter and provide an in-depth and multi-faceted experiential/sensory form of learning. We love the life sciences here at Camp Shine and enjoy using the seasons as our inspiration.
Experiential learning
The subjects evolve and shift – for example, we don’t just read books on mushrooms in the winter (although we do that too!). We search for them on the property, identify them, and use them as art inspiration. We even grow them and cook/taste them! We might bring in an expert to teach us all about the fungi kingdom using microscopes and field guides as our study tools. We bring a full, well-rounded hands-on immersion into learning! It’s the way we wish all children could learn. (It’s also the reason I have chosen to homeschool my own son.) The children at Camp Shine are always excited to experience the full range of learning, as do our staff members!
A real farm experience
The program may also reflect real life things happening on the farm- bunnies being born, chicks being raised, hutches needing painting, horse stalls being tidied and pigs being fed. We want your kids to develop a capable can-do attitude which will help build resilience and confidence. We think real life learning and skills are keys to feeling useful and accomplished.
Building long-lasting connections
Camp Shine is also about friendship and community. Many families have made lasting friendships at Camp Shine! We love that your child can come and have a consistent community of friends here with us. This is why we offer longer 8-week programs and hope that you take advantage of some of the perks of joining us annually. We want your child to be excited to see friends and be a part of the Camp Shine community.
Mindfulness integrated into activities
While enjoying the great outdoors and experiencing farm life and horses, we also weave in ways for your child to be seen and appreciated. We want them to know how special they are! We all have unique skills and abilities that make us SHINE! We seek out special opportunities for your child to teach us and to be the leader. We find what they have inside and invite them to share it with us! Whether your child loves to sing and perform or has a way with animals or special knowledge about plants or a special sport that they are talented at, we offer the space and opportunities for them to share these talents with us and teach us. We LOVE seeing your kids SHINE and helping them to feel seen, valued, important and appreciated! We truly believe every child was born to SHINE!
CURRICULUM AND SKILLS
Your child will learn
Camp shine fundamentals
Just some of the skills your child will leave with:
- Animal Care/Husbandry
- Seasonal Gardening (What grows when and how foods benefit our bodies)
- Farm-to-Table Experiences
- Horseback Riding (twice per session) How to groom, floor skills, and riding! Horseback riding is a wonderful way to practice leadership skills and to become a calm/confident leader.
- Knot Tying
- Leadership – Opportunities to lead the group or share talents and skills.
- Mindfulness Tools – Yoga, meditation, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) – methods and tools for managing stress/overwhelm in a child-friendly way!
- Nature-Inspired Art
- Herbalism – Plant identification, medicinal uses of plants, seasonal medicine-making.
- Woodworking – Building onto our tree fort, creating our own walking sticks
- Sewing + Embroidery
- Pottery
- Hiking + Nature Exploration
- Social Skills + New Friendships
A love of nature, themselves and our world
And more!
Enrollment open for FALL DATES – Winter and Spring dates coming soon.
Camp SHINE is
a WHOLE PERSON learning approach
We seek what is special and unique about your child and invite that to SHINE through!
Camp Shine Farm School
Sample Day
Opening Circle
We begin each day by gathering together in gratitude and connection.
This is a time to slow down, notice the season around us, and prepare for the day ahead. Together we may share what we’re grateful for, discuss what is happening on the farm and in nature (“Nature News”), introduce the day’s topic, and spark curiosity before we begin our hands-on learning.
Main Topic & Lesson
Each day centers around a seasonal theme inspired by life on the farm and the natural world.
Children dive into meaningful, experiential learning through activities such as:
- Seasonal science and nature studies
- Practical hands-on life skills
- Handwork and traditional crafts
- Cooking and homesteading
- Guest teachers and specialists who bring their unique expertise to enrich our seasonal learning
We believe children learn best by doing. Rather than simply reading about a topic, they experience it firsthand—using their hands, engaging their minds, asking questions, solving problems, and discovering through real-life experiences.
Farm Life
The farm is the heartbeat of everything we do.
Children help care for our animals by feeding, grooming, cleaning stalls, collecting eggs, and learning the responsibility and joy that comes with caring for living things. Every season brings new opportunities to connect with the land, the animals, and each other.
Lunch
Please pack your child a lunch and water bottle. We provide healthy snacks throughout the day.
Closing Circle
We end each day by coming back together as a community to reflect on what we learned, celebrate our accomplishments, share favorite moments, and leave with gratitude for another wonderful day on the farm.
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Camp Shine Homeschool
SEASONAL SESSIONSfor the 2026 - 2027 school year
We are vendors with Compass, Visions, Vista Oaks and Heartwood. Many families get reimbursed through Valley View (please check with them),
Does your child require aid? Please reach out to us prior to registration at hello@campshine.com.
Fall Sessions
TUESDAYS:
Ages: 6–12/13
Time: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Fall #1 – 7 Sessions ( Sept 8 – Oct 20 )
Tuition: $910
Fall #2 – 7 Sessions ( Oct 27 – Dec 15 )
No Camp: Nov 24
Tuition: $910
Payment Plan: 3 installments
THURSDAYS:
Ages: 6–12/13
Time: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Fall #1 – 7 Sessions ( Sept 10 – Oct 22)
Tuition: $728
Fall #2 – 6 Sessions ( Nov 5 – Dec 17)
No Camp: Nov 26
Tuition: $624
Payment Plan: 3 installments
Winter Sessions
TUESDAYS:
8 Sessions ( Jan 12 – Mar 2 )
Tuition: $1,040
Payment Plan: 3 installments
THURSDAYS:
8 Sessions ( Jan 14 – Mar 4)
Tuition: $832
Payment Plan: 3 installments
Spring Sessions
TUESDAYS:
10 Sessions ( Mar 16 – May 25 )
No Camp: Apr 6
Tuition: $1,300
Payment Plan: 3 installments
THURSDAYS:
10 Sessions ( Mar 18 – May 27 )
No Camp: Apr 8
Tuition: $1,040
Payment Plan: 3 installments
Payment plan available – broken into 3 payments for non-charter fund families.
We are now vendors with Visions, Compass, Heartwood and Vista Oaks.
If you are using CHARTER FUNDS when checking out please use coupon code: CHARTERFUNDS! (case sensitive). Details on using Charter Funds below.
MUST READ POLICIES IF USING:CHARTER FUNDSWe know it can be confusing to use your funds for the first time!
How to Enroll in Camp SHINE:
(using Charter Funds)
-
- First, check in with your charter/teacher to ensure you have funds. Contact your teacher and let them know you’d like to enroll with us and indicate what session. Ask if you have adequate funding or if you are short. ***If you are short, we can bill the difference to you if you would like. We are vendors with Compass, Vista Oaks, Heartwood and Visions. We also have had families receive reimbursement from Valley View.
- Next, enroll your child on our website by entering your information and selecting the program you wish to enroll in, using the coupon code CHARTERFUNDS! (case sensitive) Your child is not officially in the program until they are registered with us even if you requested and received a voucher. The only way we know about you is if you register with us.
- After registering, you will automatically receive a confirmation welcome email that will provide all the details you need for camp. If you don’t receive an email from us (first check your junk mail) please contact us at hello@campshine.com.
- Then, immediately contact your charter school and request a voucher for the program. This must be done prior to the start of our first class. This ensures your funds are available and secure for your tuition with us. Your charter may not cover late submittals.
- We then bill on your behalf. Should we have a billing issue or discrepancy in funds we will notify you.
That’s it! Your child is then officially registered using Charter Funds! It’s much easier than it sounds!
Important notes:
(when using Charter Funds)
- Some of our classes may be held on school holidays for your charter (each charter has their own holidays and it’s therefore difficult to accommodate everyone). If this is the case, you are personally responsible for covering tuition for that day that the charter will not fund.
- The parent or guardian is ultimately responsible for payment should funds not go through. Please be aware of your account balance prior to signing up. Should you not have the full amount, we can bill you the difference. You will also be financially responsible for camp days that land on holidays that may not be covered by your charter.
- There is a 4% fee for cancellations per enrollment.
Cancellations must be made 2 weeks prior to your camp date or the guardian is responsible for full tuition. - Should you miss camp for any reason we do not refund or credit or offer make up days, this may include vacations, illness or unforeseen incidents.
- We do not offer make up days.
- We are not responsible for lost items at camp. Please do not bring anything valuable.
- We are a drop-off only program. Please note this prior to registration.
- Once you register you will get a welcome letter automatically sent to your inbox. If you don’t receive one, please check your junk mail and then reach out to us at hello@campshine.com to make sure that you are indeed registered with us.
Farm SchoolFrequently Asked Questions
Can I stay with my child at camp?
We know it can be tough to leave your child especially if it’s the first time, but we do not allow parents to stay at camp. We are a drop off only program.
Can I check out camp prior to enrolling my child?
This is a great question, we offer open houses throughout the year and do our best to host one prior to an enrollment period that allows for you to check out Camp SHINE. Please be on the lookout for our next one. (Be sure to subscriobe out mailing list for notifications on upcoming events like this).
Do you offer individual tours of Camp SHINE?
We do not. Since we are a smaller organization, we don’t have the time to individually meet with families. As parents ourselves, we know how much we LOVE our kids, we are always happy to chat with you over the phone and answer any questions you might have. Reach out to us at hello@campshine.com with your phone number to request a call from us.
I really want my child to make friends and have community. Does this happen at Camp SHINE?
YES! We have had so many families create lasting friendships here at Camp SHINE. We have a very warm and welcoming program and as a byproduct, it is very easy for the kids to create friendships. Many kids even get together outside of Camp SHINE.
What can I expect my child to learn at Camp SHINE?
Great question! Your child will learn to use their heart, hands and mind here at Camp SHINE.
We teach animal husbandry/gardening and what it is like to run and tend the farm.
We also teach elements that are a bit of a lost art, handwork, weaving, felting, herbs and plants as ways to care for our bodies, building and cooking, (all of which is great for eye hand coordination, fine motor skills/large motor skills and is relaxing and meditative.)
We also seek to see what yourI child SHINES at and we welcome them to teach us their skills and knowledge practicing leadership skills and confidence building!
We also enjoy hiking and the seasons, instilling a love of nature.
We also love to teach about the nervous system and ways to care for yourself, your neighbor and also the planet. We love weaving in tool such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), mindfulness and gratitude. Our intent is to help build resilient and confident children who SHINE.
How do the mixed ages work since it is K-6th?
It works amazingly well!! Instead of being a classroom with comparisons, we are more like a family. The older children assume leadership roles and the little ones raise to the occasion. All the activities we do, are enjoyed by all ages, even adults. We really enjoy our mixed ages program.
How do I use charter funds?...help!
We get it, using funds can be confusing for the first time. To get started with us, please scroll up on this page and read our MUST READ POLICIES FOR USING CHARTER FUNDS which will walk you step by step on what you need to do to register with us using funds.