Discover “The Wonder Under Us” at Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Summer Camp
By the IFU

Registration is now open for Practical Farmer of Iowa’s 2008 Youth Leadership and Summer Camp Program, “The Wonder Under Us.” If you like exploring Iowa’s wild places, join other campers June 18 to June 21 at the Des Moines area Y-Camp near Boone to enjoy a fun-packed experience for all ages. The Youth Leadership Program, June 16 to June 18, trains young adults ages 14 to 18 to be counselors for the summer camp.

“The Wonder Under Us” camp participants will: go on a discovery hike, spend a day playing and learning in water, visit PFI founders Dick and Sharon Thompson’s farm, and learn about wise land management choices through interactive games. They will also enjoy traditional camping festivities such as stargazing, campfires, archery, and canoeing. Program participants will prepare and dine on local fare during camp as they get in touch with the land and where their food comes from.

Youth Leadership program members will: hike and camp at Ledges State Park, compete in a cookout challenge, tackle the ropes challenge course, zip down the zip line, and learn how to lead children.

PFI has been holding a youth camp since 1992. 2007 PFI camper Spencer Tomlinson, Byron, MN, commented that he "definitely wants to come back."  Some of his favorite camp activities included "playing in the creek, the bacon and ice cream (from local farms), and performing heart surgery on an eggplant" during a food creations contest.
PFI’s Youth and Next Generation program is committed to fostering the wisdom of the next generation through programs for youth and students that highlight the connections between the environment, farms, food and communities.

Contact Cedar Johnson, (515)232-5661, cedar@practicalfarmers.org, for more information about how to sign up for or donate funds to camp.

PFI is a non-profit sustainable agriculture group dedicated to farming that is profitable, environmentally sound, and healthy for consumers and communities. Founded in 1985, PFI has over 700 farmer and non-farmer members throughout Iowa. For more information, call 515-232-5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org.

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Leigh Adcock
Iowa Farmers Union
PO Box 8988
Ames, IA 50014
1-800-775-5227
info@iowafarmersunion.org
www.iowafarmersunion.org