The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces is offering a variety of summer activities and camps for children that can be enjoyed at home and virtually.
Whether you enjoy animals, crafts, or outdoor fun, the Museum has a camp for you. Discover nature, gardening, animals, weaving, cowboys, and many more exciting activities with our 2021 virtual summer camps and activity kits.
For more information or to register please email FRHM.Education@state.nm.us.
Poking Around: Native Desert Plants of the Southwest
May 29 – June 1
(Ages 9-13)
Virtual/At-home
Recommended $3 cash donation
Camp materials will provide all the necessary information to become familiar with our unique desert landscape and the flora that inhabits it. Campers will receive a reference guide to the most common native plants in our area, along with journal pages to fill out while observing the plants in real life. Campers will also receive supplies to recreate their favorite desert plant with modelling clay. They will also receive a live plant to keep! Optional 40-minute Zoom instruction on June 1.
LEAP into Science Week
June 8 and 10
(Ages 4 and 5 years on June 8, ages 6-10 on June 10)
FREE
Celebrate National LEAP week with online science and literacy programming for children and families. Each day, a different story will be read on Zoom and campers will be given activities they can do at home at their own pace. Only requirement is a flashlight. Materials will be given out the week prior (TBD).
Storytelling Around the Campfire
June 12
(All ages)
At-home
FREE
Campers and their families will learn about the art of storytelling and how important it was in cowboy life. Campers will receive recipe cards for “campfire” snacks, stories to read out loud, and templates to create their own campfire stories. This camp is geared for the entire family as a summer night activity. This camp does not require any virtual instruction and can be used year-round.
Down on the Farm
June 22-24
(Ages 5-8)
Recommended $3 cash donation
Camp participants will learn what animals live on a farm and what they need to be able to survive. Campers will learn to identify the source of the food they eat and investigate the processes and people involved in getting food from the farm to their table. All materials will be provided and can be picked up the week before (TBD). Activities can be done at your own pace at home or zoom sessions will be available.
Relying on Yourself
July 3 – 6
(Ages 9-13)
Virtual/At-home
Recommended $3 cash donation
Campers will learn about the struggles and triumphs of the ranch families of the Tularosa Basin. They will also learn about self-sufficiency and demonstrate through included activities on how to be self-sufficient. Campers will be provided the supplies to make homemade butter, playing cards and what is needed to start a small garden. Optional 40-minute Zoom instruction on July 6.
Exploring Fiber: July 13 – 15
(Ages 8-12)
Recommended $3 cash donation
Where does wool come from? Campers will learn about different fibers and potential uses. Activities include weaving, finger knitting, and felting. All materials and instructional videos provided and can be picked up the week prior (TBD).
Cowboy Camp
July 17 – 20
(Ages 5-8)
Virtual/At-home
Recommended $3 cash donation
Campers will receive their materials that include designing their own cowboy gear and learning all the tools of the trade. This will also include information and activities about cattle drives, life on the range, and the cattle of New Mexico. This camp will require ONE 45-minute Zoom instruction on July 20.
Gardening Fun
July 27 – 29
(Ages 5-7 and 8-12)
Recommended $3 cash donation
All participants will explore how seeds sprout and what nutrients they need to survive. Younger campers will explore Ag in the Classroom activity, ‘Farming in a Glove.’ Older campers will explore hydroponics and seed germination. Materials can be picked up the week prior (TBD) and zoom sessions will be available.
For more information or to register please email FRHM.Education@state.nm.us.
The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. The Museum is located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces and preserves and shares they 4,000-year history of growing food in the region. (575) 522-4100.
