Sprout Leaders

Sprout Leaders Create a Safe and Caring Environment

Our small camp size allows your child to explore! All of our counsellors have Standard First Aid Training, enthusiasm

and many years experience leading youth in the great outdoors.

Our Training Also Includes:

B. ED  in Outdoor and Experiential Learning (Queen’s University)

Wilderness First Aid Certification

Bronze Cross and National Lifeguard Service Certification

Class E License (required for driving with School Boards) and Ministry’s Safety Bus Driver Improvement Course

Here are some of the faces you will meet at camp:

Kelly McKinney: Camp Founder and Sprout Leader

Kelly has worked with youth in Hamilton for over ten years, teaching dance, facilitating   breakfast and after school programs and supervising community centers. She has spent many seasons working at local organic farms and started dreaming about camp a few years ago in a  beautiful strawberry patch. She recently graduated from Queen’s Outdoor and Experiential B. Ed program specializing in Urban Environmental Education. Kelly is so excited about this summer and the enriching and fun activities planned for the campers.

Erin Stanley is our Crafty Creative Director.

Erin leads us through artistic adventures, like print making workshops and scarecrow building. Last year, Erin made a Sprout Journal for every camper so they could document their experiences. She illustrated scenes which our campers could add to and learn from. For many years Erin was a leader at Camp Banting outside of Ottawa and she thinks camp is the best place to be. Thank you Erin for your beautiful work!

Here are some of the places you’ll see at Sprout Summer Growing Camp:

under ground organics:

http://undergroundorganics.net

P: 905 659 6267

Farmed by Shane Eby, Julia Hitchcock and Dan Ridgler

This organic farm grows vegetables, herbs, cut flowers and there are 200 fruit-trees throughout the farm. Pollinators and campers have a great time at under ground organics!

Plan b Organic Farm:

http://www.planborganicfarms.ca/

P:  905 659 2572

Farmed by Rodrigo & Alvaro Venturelli and Melanie Golba.

This is Plan B’s 14th season growing organic produce at their 50 acre farm in Flamborough. Mel, Alvero and Rod talk with school children and their own children about how food is grown all over the world. Through a Community Shared Agriculture Program and Farmer’s Markets, Plan B feeds over 1000 families in Hamilton and surrounding area. That’s a lot of food! At Plan b we will explore fields full of vegetables, worm composters, solar dehydrator and more.

Simpler Thyme Organic Farm:

Farmed by Ann &Mike Lanigan and Bill Orosz

P: 905-659-1576

Simpler Thyme initiated a Community Shared Agriculture program before other organic farms in the area were established.  At Simpler Thyme we will see lots of animals: pigs, cows, peacocks, ducks, a horse and chickens. Simpler Thyme also has lots of food growing in their fields and greenhouses; we might even see a local lime or papaya. We will explore their sugar maple forest and have fun and games in the kitchen learning about a 100km diet.

Our Adopted Southam Park:

Through the City of Hamilton’s ‘Adopt a Park Program’ we will are able to play and add to the nature at Southam Park. Located at the bottom of Upper James and Inverness, this quiet space has a deep grove of trees and garden beds. The park overlooks the city and connects to the James St. Stairs and the Bruce Trail.

We are thankful for the Adopt a Park Program and the opportunity to create memories at Southam.


Sprout Summer Growing Camp Kelly McKinney