IN THE NEWS: from GCA Newspaper, Nashville, TN (summer Camp Article) Director of Fun at Tap Root Farm’s Summer Camps, Susan Ingraham, said. “It’s a huge memory maker ... and it’s all about expanding (the camper’s) horizons. Children who attend the day camp develop the skills of a self-sufficient farmer.” One of the favorites for most campers is learning about horse care & daily horseback riding. Set within Tap Root Farm’s 350 acres, (which is ONLY 3 miles from I65S & Cool Springs Blvd.) one of the camp’s uniqueness is its focus on food cultivation, preparation & preservation. Imitating real farmers, campers will learn about horses, gardening, blueberry picking, honey bees and raising cattle – unfamiliar topics to today’s generation. “Most young people think their milk comes from a jug in the grocery store,” Ingraham said. “We’re just showing them the reality of farming.” We also wade through Tap Root Farm’s creeks, have tug-o-wars, sports tournaments in basketball, ping-pong, sack races, foosball, corn hole, wheelbarrow races, air hockey+++. On Friday, the campers prepare their own lunch feast. They cook the food from the garden they have tilled and picked during the week along with Tap Root’s all-natural beef burgers. “Campers get a lot of satisfaction from preparing & eating the fruits of their labor,” said Susan. “On Friday night after learning farm-related skills, we cap the week off with a bonfire cookout, night hike-snipe hunt, fireside stories about growing up on the farm & a barn camp-out! It’s really a blast!!!” Ingraham said, “It’s big-time fun for the whole family…what a memory-maker!!! Family members can join their camper for this event if they choose…the parents even campout with their camper sometimes—who’s really the kid??? We aren’t sure sometimes!”  This year, the farm will host ranch rodeos on the second Saturday of each month from April through October; giving four-member cowboy/cowgirl/youth teams a place to showcase their expertise in four different skills categories: Wild Cow Milking, Sorting, Branding (with baby powder) & trailer loading. Children of ALL ages including the public can participate in the greased pig chases, calf chase, mechanical bull rides, sack races, wheelbarrow races and horseback rides. Tap Root All-Natural Beef Burgers + will be served at the concession stand. Tap Root Farm’s Ranch Rodeos are a family entertainment alternative for the public to have a hands-on experience in real ranch life. A Wooded Paintball Course will be available later this Spring at the farm for the public, birthday parties and corporate or private events. The camp, at 4104 Clovercroft Road in Franklin, offers 3 one-week sessions the weeks of June 13, July 18 & August 1. It is 1st come- 1st serve-so sign up asap! For details & sign-up: go to taprootfarm.com or call 615.594-3210.
Tap Root Farm | 4104 Clovercroft Road, Franklin, TN 37067 | ph: 615.594.3210 | fax: 615.794.3358 | Susan Ingraham