Working Food’s Community Workshops and Camps for Kids

Kids Camps

Working Food’s Youth Programs aim to empower children by connecting them with our local food community. Through our workshops and camps, kids will develop relationships with the land, ecology, soil, seeds, crops, and, of course, nourishing food. We believe that these experiences foster a sense of belonging, deepen connections to the environment, inspire enthusiasm for growing and using local food, and spark curiosity about the natural world.

This year, we’re excited to launch our first-ever community workshops and camps, open to children aged 8 to 12. Registration is now open for all camps during the 2024-25 school year. Each camp is capped at 12 participants.

All camp fees are donations to Working Food, directly supporting our free afterschool programming for students from historically excluded communities. Thank you for your support! 

Important Details:

  • Location: Working Food Community Center, 219 NW 10th Ave
  • Drop-off & Check-in: 15 minutes before the start of camp/workshop
  • Pick-up: Up to 15 minutes after camp/workshop end

For any questions, email kids@workingfood.org and we’ll be happy to help!

Summer Session: Farm to Feast Culinary Camp

June 4-6, 9 AM – 3 PM (daily)

  • Cost: $250
  • Description: Calling all young chefs! This summer break camp is all about old-school cooking fun. Each day, we’ll learn a cool new skill, like making pickles, fresh cornbread, hand-churned butter, or homemade tomato sauce. Mornings are for harvesting fresh ingredients at the Gainesville Giving Garden, and afternoons are for cooking up delicious creations back at the Working Food Community Center to take home. Snacks provided—just pack your lunch and join the feast!
  • Wrap-around care: Available daily from 8 AM – 5 PM for an additional $75.
  • Registration deadline: May 21
Register Here

Garden Tots

Join Working Food for a fun-filled morning at the Giving Garden! In our new, hands-on Garden Tots classes, budding farmers will discover the wonders of plants, nature, and gardening through sensory play, art, and interactive activities. Each week features a new theme designed to engage curious young minds.  

Garden Tots meets every Tuesday from April 8th to April 29th, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM. These classes are designed for children ages 2 to 5, but older and younger siblings are welcome. An adult caregiver must accompany all children – these activities allow kids and caregivers to enjoy and explore the garden together.  

Cost: $10 per class or $35 for all four classes when you pre-register. Children under two years old are free. Payment can be made online or in person. Please arrive 10 minutes early for registration and payment. 

Schedule

  • April 8th: Seed Explorers – Discover the magic of seeds! Investigate different types of seeds, how they travel, and what they need to grow.
  • April 15th: The Wonder of Worms – Dig into the world of wiggly worms! Learn how these tiny creatures help the soil and explore their important role in nature and our gardens.
  • April 22nd: Plant Friends – Plants do amazing things! From leaves to roots, we’ll take a closer look at how plants grow and how plants and people can work together.
  • April 29th: I’m a Farmer! – What does it take to grow food? Little farmers will learn about planting, harvesting, and the important work of growing food.
Register Here

Parent/Guardian Handbook

Arrival and Departure Procedures

For safety reasons, children will only be released to individuals authorized by the custodial parent or guardian in writing and listed on file. Anyone picking up children will be asked to present identification. Even during multi-day camps, please be prepared to show ID at pick-up, as staff may vary each day. We will strictly follow the details provided during registration. Any alternative dismissal arrangements must be submitted in writing.

Late Pick-Up Fees

Starting at closing time, a late pick-up fee of $10.00 per child will be charged for every 15 minutes past the scheduled pick-up time.

Program Activities & Dress Code

Our camps are all about fun, creativity, and hands-on activities! Children will be involved in farming, cooking, and art projects—things that can get messy. Please ensure your child is dressed for active, and potentially messy, play. Tennis shoes and a change of clothes are recommended. Closed-toe shoes are required for safety.

Absence Notification

If your child will be absent, please notify us via email at kids@workingfood.org at least 24 hours in advance. For last-minute notifications (less than 24 hours), please call the on-call number at 352-260-4458.

Full refunds are only available if requested 30 days in advance of the workshop or camp.  

Our Staff

All Working Food staff members have completed state and local background checks and are certified in CPR and First Aid. Each camp session is capped at 12 participants and maintains a minimum staff-to-child ratio of 1:6, although it’s often closer to 1:3 due to the complexity of our activities.

Snacks and Lunch

Parents must inform the staff of any food allergies in the Registration Packet.

For full-day camps, Working Food will provide a morning and afternoon snack. Children should bring their own lunch from home. Prior to the start of camp, we will notify families about any participant allergies (such as peanuts) that may affect what can be packed for lunch.

We do not provide a snack for after school workshops.

Personal Belongings

Please leave personal items and toys at home.

Emergency and Illness Procedures

In case of a medical emergency, we will make every effort to contact parents or guardians for specific instructions. If we cannot reach you within a reasonable time, the staff will make decisions in the child’s best interest. Please note that Working Food and its staff are not financially responsible for medical treatments. We do not provide accident insurance for participants.

If a child becomes ill while attending camp, parents will be contacted to pick up the child promptly. Failure to do so may result in the child’s dismissal from the camp and future programs.

Medication Policy

Working Food staff are not authorized to store or administer prescription medication. Parents or guardians should administer necessary medication outside of camp hours. If a child needs medication during camp, a parent or guardian must visit to administer it.

Parent Communication

A private Google Photo Album will be shared with program participants, with updates provided at the end of the camp. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to us at kids@workingfood.org or call 352-260-4458.

Participant Expectations

Children must be able to follow the camp rules. Working Food reserves the right to dismiss any child for disruptive behavior. Attending our camps is a privilege!

We follow the Mayan principle of In’Lakech, as captured by poet Luis Valdez: “You are my other me. If I do harm to you, I do harm to myself. If I love and respect you, I love and respect myself.”

Working Food Youth Camp Rules

  • Treat others with kindness and respect—“you are my other me”
  • Be respectful of the people, plants, land, and materials we are working with
  • Listen when someone is speaking
  • Follow staff instructions during activities
  • No fighting or rough play
  • Walk when indoors
  • Stay with the group at all times
  • Practice fair play in all activities

Grounds for Refusal of Service

We reserve the right to refuse service for the following reasons:

  • Physical or verbal abuse directed at staff by parents or children
  • Failure to follow camp policies, procedures, or rules
  • Inability of participant to use bathroom facilities independently
  • Failure to provide up-to-date information or records