Program Summary
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Site Selection - Interested
communities/individuals complete an application to conduct a farm safety day camp. From
those applications, sites are chosen based on need, i.e. availability of other programs,
expertise of sponsoring group and resources available. (The number of camps that can be
supported in one year is based on the number of participants expected at those camps and
the funds available.) Coordinating Training - The volunteer chosen to coordinate
the camp must attend an in-depth two-day training. At training, the coordinator receives
the information and resources needed to conduct a day-camp-style program. Two in-depth
program manuals are provided, one for 8-13 year olds and other for 4-7 year olds. Both
contain fun, hands on, age-appropriate activities for teaching numerous farm safety
topics. |
Camp
Planning and Implementation- After training, the coordinator works with volunteers
from their local community to plan and conduct one or more day camps. Each program is
structured to meet the specific needs of the individual community. Local planning
committees decide details such as:
- Location and date
- How many and which farm safety topics to teach
- Ages and number of participants
- Registration fee, if any, needed to cover local costs such as food, building rental,
printing, postage, etc.
- Whether to include parents at the day camp
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Program Promotion and Outreach - Program promotion and outreach help many people
learn to be safer on the farm, without attending one of our farm safety programs.
Camp volunteers learn more about safety as they help with camps.
All program participants, regardless of age, are encouraged to share what they learn
with their families and friends.
While promoting the day camps in the pages of Progressive Farmer magazine, at trade
shows and through other national and local media outlets, detailed safety information is
provided. Thus, readers learn about safety by reading about the program.
Community Conducts Camp - The majority of the work in conducting a Farm Safety
Day camp falls on the volunteer coordinators. They are responsible for recruiting
volunteers to plan, implement, staff and teach at their day camps.
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Program History The
Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camp Program began in 1995 under the leadership and
sponsorship of Progressive Farmer Magazine. It began with 19 camps in 11 states. Today the
combined programs under the Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camp name, sponsors more
than 250 camps in 38 states and in 3 Canadian provinces.
Program Acknowledgements
The success of the Farm Safety Day Camp programs is a credit to the thousands of
community volunteers, who each year coordinate and support these life-saving day camps and
to the national, state, regional, and local businesses, organizations and individuals who
provide funding and other resources for the camps. |
Progressive Farmer Foundation
Funding for the Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camp program is provided at the
national, regional and state levels by the Progressive Farmer Foundation with
contributions form numerous sponsoring companies and organizations. For an up-to-date list
of the program's sponsors and to find out how you can contribute to this 501 (c)(3)
foundation, call Randy Bernhardt, Executive Director, Progressive Farmer Foundation at
888-257-3529.
Manitoba Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camps 2003
| There were 6 Progressive Farmer
Farm Safety Day Camps in six different Manitoba communities in 2002. Progressive Farmer
Foundation wants to expand this program (as well as extend readership of Progressive
Farmer magazine) in Canada. The deadline to apply for 2004 camps is July 15, 2003.
Training for 12 2003 Manitoba Farm Safety Day Camps is in November. This is a great
opportunity for communities wanting to plan a community farm safety event. The camps this
year were very successful reaching over 700 participants. |
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Benefits of the Progressive Farmer Program:
- 1 ½ day training event for community coordinators supplies a comprehensive resource
binder which includes planning , presentation, promotion, and evaluation tools and
resources. As well, participants benefit from the experience of "seasoned" camp
coordinators. Winnipeg is the site of one of the training events.
- Every camper and adult leader or presenter receives a colorful camp T-shirt. Anyone
doubting the value of the T-shirts this year soon learned how they help create a fun and
unified learning environment for the day.
- Take home materials for the campers are also supplied in a camper "goody bag".
- Benefit from the experience of a credible program which is adapted to specific community
needs and built on program evaluation.
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Community Commitment Required:
- Commitment of a community coordinator. The community coordinator is responsible for
organization of the camp with a planning committee from the community. The community
coordinator is also required to attend the training event All expenses at the event are
covered , but the coordinator must arrange for transportation to the event.
- Additional community sponsorship may be required to cover costs of lunch, snacks, and
additional take home items.
- The prospective coordinator or sponsoring organization needs to submit the application
form by July, 15, 2003.
- The camp dates can be forwarded at a later date if the community is selected.
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Commitment from the Community Farm Safety Project:
- This year, additional provincial sponsorship helped support each of the camps
financially.
- Provincial coordination facilitated in presenter and resource contacts.
- Some provincial promotion was also coordinated.
How can you help?
If your community may be interested, help to identify a community coordinator.
If you require additional information or the application form contact:
Diane Mauthe or Cathy Vanstone
Manitoba Agriculture and Food
Community Farm Safety Project 204 239 3354
204 352 4414 Fax: 204 239 3403
Fax: 204 352 2219 e-mail: cvanstone@gov.mb.ca
Also check out the Web site at
