Camps with farm & animals in Massachusetts

Ages 4–14

A farm and nature day camp at Appleton Farms, a working farm in Ipswich, where campers do barnyard chores, tend the Learning Garden, hike and explore woods and wetlands. Half-day, full-day, junior CIT and CIT programs run for nine weeks, and 2027 registration opens January 7, 2027.

As published: 2026 per week: half day (9-12) $340 Trustees member / $420 nonmember; full day (9-3) $555 / $635; extended day 3-4 pm $85; Junior CIT $370 / $450

Blue Rider Stables runs weekly summer horsemanship sessions focused on horse care and bareback, balanced-seat riding, with a maximum of ten children per week. Full-day sessions include two riding lessons and half-day sessions include one.

As published: 2026 (per Macaroni KID listing): full day 9-3 $650 per week, half day 9:30-12:30 $400 per week, weekly sessions June 22-Aug 28, multi-week discounts. The official 2025 page fetched showed $600 full day and $400 half day.

Ages 7–16

A traditional Cape Cod overnight camp founded in 1928, with Camp Burgess for boys and Camp Hayward for girls on opposite shores of Spectacle Pond on over 300 acres. Sessions run one or two weeks, plus CIT programs and adventure trips for ages 12-17.

As published: 2027: $1,120 per one-week session; $2,240 per two-week session; 4-week CIT $3,600; adventure trips $1,120 to $2,350; $60 one-time registration fee (waived for South Shore YMCA members)

Ages 6–17

Week-long summer day programs at Old Sturbridge Village where kids step back into 1830s life, with themed weeks such as hearth cooking, independence-week celebrations and arts. Programs run 9 to 3 with hands-on crafts and an afternoon snack, grouped Abecedarians (6-7), Peddlers (8-10), Apprentices (11-14) and Journeymen (14-17).

As published: 2026 per week: ages 6-10 $315 member / $340 non-member before April 19, $365 / $390 after; ages 11-17 $340 / $365 before April 19, $390 / $415 after; optional lunch $43/week; 10% sibling discount

Ages 5–12 · $375–$425/week

Weekly themed science and nature day camp at the EcoTarium museum and zoo in Worcester for children ages 5 to 12, grouped by age. Weeks cover topics such as outdoor adventures, creature features, space, engineering and forensic science, with animal ambassador visits and a Counselor in Training program for ages 13 to 15. The camp states it is licensed by the local Board of Health under Massachusetts DPH regulations.

As published: 2026 weekly sessions: $375 for returning campers (until Dec 31), $395 general registration (Jan 1 to June 1), $425 late registration; $75 deposit; Counselor in Training $760 for a four-week session

Ages 8–18 · $350–$470/session

Half-day farm and nature camp at Great Rock Farm, a 55-acre working family farm in Georgetown, for Junior Farm Explorers in grades 3 to 12. Mornings start with a yoga or meditation circle, followed by a farm walk or crafts and hands-on care of horses, goats and other farm animals, with enrollment of up to 40 campers. A Family Day lets a parent or sibling join on the last day.

As published: 2027: three-day camp (Mon to Wed) $350 per person, $120 extra to extend by two days; Family Day add-on $75 per parent or sibling; $100 deposit per camper

Ages 4–12 · $275–$525/week

Berkshire Botanical Garden runs a day camp in Stockbridge for ages 4 to 12 where campers plant seedlings, harvest vegetables, collect eggs, care for garden animals and explore the garden on nature walks. Groups are small, with 10 to 12 campers and two educators, and families can register for one or several weeks. The camp states it follows Massachusetts Department of Public Health camp standards.

As published: 2026 tiered weekly tuition by household income: $275 member or $325 non-member (under $60,000), $375 or $425 ($60,000 to $90,999), $475 or $525 (no aid requested). $100 deposit per camper.

Ages 6–13

Zoo Camp at Forest Park Zoo in Springfield is for kids ages 6-13 and runs nine weeks in the summer and during school breaks. The page notes summer Zoo Camp is full with a waitlist and that 2027 session dates are coming soon.

As published: $340 per week for non-members, $315 per week for members; before-care $12/day (current page; 2027 dates "coming soon")

Ages 3–14 · $306–$603/week

Holly Hill Farm runs drop-off day camps on a working certified organic farm in Cohasset for ages 3.5 to 14, plus a counselor-in-training program for ages 12 to 15. Campers care for barnyard animals, garden, cook, explore ponds and marshes and learn survival skills across 12 weekly sessions in summer 2026. Tiered pricing lets families choose a reduced rate, and a scholarship is available beyond that.

As published: 2026 weekly tuition by tier: half day from $306 to $425, full day from $434 to $603 depending on program and tier (Tier C is the reduced price); $85 family membership required.

Ages 6–13

Good Pickin' Farm at 5 Gould Road in Westford runs a Farm Camp for ages 6-13 (9am-3pm, Monday-Friday) and a separate Pony Camp for ages 6-13 (Monday-Thursday), with a Sprouts Farm Camp for ages 3-5. Early arrival and extended-day care are offered.

As published: 2026: Farm Camp $495/week ($125/day; early bird $445.50 by March 15, 2026); Pony Camp $695/week; early arrival $35/day or $150/week; extended day $45/day or $195/week

Ages 4–14

Hartsbrook School runs summer day camps on its Hadley campus, with farm camps for the youngest children (Sprouts and Young Farmers), plus Creativity, Cooking and Baking, Theater and Fiddle camps. It also offers a counselor-in-training program for rising 6th to 9th graders. The camp is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and uses tiered pricing.

As published: Not published (the page describes Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 pricing, with a scholarship for 2026 farm camp, and lists no weekly prices)

Ages 8–15

Week-long summer camps at a racing sled-dog kennel where each camper picks an Alaskan husky for the week and learns to feed, groom, exercise and train it. Activities include dryland mushing on a rig, scooter or bike, jogging and swimming with the dogs.

As published: 2026: $525/week (weeks of July 6 and Aug 17), $575/week (July 13 to Aug 14 weeks), $225 for the two-day week; $25 off a second camper; most weeks listed as full

Ages 4–15 · $100–$710/week

A nature- and farm-based day camp at Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary (sanctuary dates to 1956), offering sliding-scale, income-based pricing across one- and two-week nature, farm, and environmental-leadership programs for ages 4–17.

As published: Day camp, per week/per program, sliding-scale pricing published (varies by household income): one-week programs generally $142–$710 (e.g., Curiosity Club, Nature Builders, Farmyard Frolics, Teen Farm Hands, Rainbow Camp, Environmental Leadership); Farm Trekkers $100–$500; two-week programs (ages 4–13) $285–$1,675 depending on age group. Extended-day add-on $56–$275/week. Programs & Pricing (https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/drumlin-farm/camp/programs-pricing)

Ages 3–15

Working educational farm in Natick offering half-day summer programs for ages 3 to 15, from Summer Sprouts and Forest Explorers for preschoolers to Working Farmers for ages 12 to 15. Older groups do daily farm work such as planting, harvesting and animal care, while younger groups focus on play and exploration in the farm's woodland playscape.

As published: Not published on the summer programs page (members at the Crofter level and above get 20% off youth programs)

Ages 6–14

A one-week day camp at the MSPCA-Angell Nevins Farm in Methuen where campers ages 6-14 help care for horses, rabbits, cats and dogs and join animal-welfare discussions with guest speakers. Hours are 9am-3pm Monday-Friday across eight weekly sessions.

As published: $500 per one-week session ($400 for the holiday week, Session C); CIT $275 per week; scholarships available

Ages 5–12

Full-day nature and garden camps for ages 5 to 12 at the 200-acre botanic garden in Boylston (Worcester County), with themed weeks such as Growing Gardens, Nature Quest and Wings, Claws and Tails. Licensed by the Boylston Board of Health under MDPH regulations.

As published: 2026: $395 per week for members, $445 per week for non-members (includes $50 deposit); 2026 camp has concluded and 2027 registration has not opened

Ages 3–14 · $510–$960/session

Pilgrim Day Camp is a traditional summer day camp owned and operated by the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, set on 113 acres of fields and woods in Framingham. It has over 50 years of experience and offers full-day and half-day programs along with an outdoor education drop-off program for ages 3–5 and a CIT program.

As published: 2026 two-week sessions: Full Day $960, Half Day (ages 3–4) $510, CIT $510; Session 1 (prorated) Full Day $865; sibling discounts of 5% (2nd child) and 10% (3rd child); $30 registration fee plus $50/week deposit per child

A five-day riding and pony-care day program at Windrush Farm, a PATH-accredited therapeutic riding center in North Andover, for beginner and intermediate riders. Each day includes a riding lesson, games, arts and crafts, with a rider showcase at week's end.

As published: 2026: $675 per week early bird until March 31, $725 after; 2026 weeks sold out with waitlist

Ages 5–12

A six-week summer program on two private ranches in Richmond for ages 5-12 built around horses and donkeys, led by equine-assisted-learning practitioners and an early education specialist. The 2026 program was in its fifth season and is run Monday to Thursday, 9:00 to 3:30.

As published: 2026: $395/day, $1,085/week, $1,970 for two weeks, $2,855 for three weeks, $5,110 for all six weeks; sliding scale and sibling discounts on request (2026 registration listed as closed)

Ages 5–18

A working farm in Ashfield running summer programs for children and teens: a day program for ages 5-10, an overnight program for ages 10-15, a Youth Corps for ages 16-18, and a Springfield Partners program. Students garden, tend animals, hike, cook and do trail work in small groups with experienced staff.

As published: Not published as text (the 2027 dates and rates appear only in an image chart); financial aid available for all programs

A family-run horse farm at 15 Stowe Road in Millbury offering a weekly Equestrian and Animal Lover Camp, 9am-3pm Monday-Friday, with horse grooming, riding instruction, farm-animal care, chick hatching and bird handling. Extended stay until 4:30pm is $20 per day.

As published: $575 per week; $100 deposit

Ages 6–14

Week-long day camps at Hancock Shaker Village, a farm and historic site, where kids explore historic buildings, craft with fibers, wood and metal, help farmers care for animals and gardens, and cook Shaker foods. Four sessions are age-grouped from 6 to 14.

As published: 2026: $350 per weekly session non-members, $315 members

Ages 3–13 · $315–$475/week

Summerfun is a day camp run by The Common School in Amherst, open to the wider Pioneer Valley community. Younger campers explore farm, forest and pond habitats, while older campers pick specialty camps such as STEAM, clay in nature, mixed media and role-playing games. Leadership programs are offered for ages 12 to 16.

As published: Camp lists $475 per week for full-day camps and $315 per week for the half-day Down on the Farm program, with a $15 weekly materials fee for Clay in Nature and a $100 non-refundable deposit per session (page headed 2027 Camps).

Sweet Meadow Farm in Sherborn runs a Riding Camp with a daily one-on-one lesson from a licensed instructor plus animal care, and a Pets and Ponies Camp. An evening feeding program can be added.

As published: Riding Camp $1,025 per week; Pets and Ponies Camp $865 per week (2026 registration)

Ages 4–13

A weeklong farm day camp on the 162-acre Katama Farm on Martha's Vineyard, run by The Trustees, for ages 4 to 13 with a CIT program for 15 to 17. Nine weekly sessions run June 22 to Aug 21, 2026.

As published: 2026 per week (member / nonmember): half day (age 4) $495 / $575; full day (5-13) $625 / $705; Junior CIT $300 / $380; Wee Farmers $90 / $115 (two-day). Full-time Vineyard families get 25% off. 2027 not yet listed (registration opens early January 2027)

Ages 4–17

The Trustees of Reservations runs weekly summer day camps at its eastern Massachusetts properties, including Powisset Farm in Dover, Appleton Farms and the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Rocky Woods in Medfield, and World's End and Weir River Farm in Hingham. Farm camps cover animal care and chores; coastal camps cover shoreline ecology.

As published: Not published on the camps page; 2027 registration begins January 7, 2027

Ages 6–14

Nonprofit educational farm in Waltham running weekly summer programs for rising 1st through 8th graders, with drop-off from 9am to 1pm. Youth programs take place outdoors in the farm's Learning Garden and cover agriculture, gardening, nature, culinary arts and foraging.

As published: Not published (the farm's education page lists no summer prices and says 2027 information is coming this winter; Waltham resident discounts and an "Education For All" scholarship fund are mentioned)