FARM CAMP: lessons in outdoor life skills
FARM CAMP: lessons in outdoor life skills
Monday, June 1 - Sunday, June 7, 2026
Worlds End School | Esperance, NY
Instructors: Peter Ossi, Cheylene, Lada Marsavina
Did you miss the opportunity to be a cub scout when you were younger? Most of us move through the outdoors with a desire to know more than we do. This is the week you can actually learn it.
We’ll spend six days on bikes, building trails in the woods, and practicing what to do when things inevitably go sideways. You’ll leave knowing how to change a flat tire on your bike, mark a trail through the woods, identify what plants are edible, and how to respond when someone needs help and you’re the only one around - all skills that ground you in your surroundings and make the outdoors feel more accessible. Every day will end together, whether it’s a community bike ride, hike or meal, because what’s the point of learning these things if we’re not doing them together.
This class is for anyone who wants to feel more confident experiencing the outdoors. No experience necessary; in fact, it’s encouraged!
PREPARATIONS / CONSIDERATIONS
SCHEDULE
Day 1 ✴︎ Arrival
Students arrive after noon on Monday, are settled in and are then asked to be at dinner at 7:30pm. This first meal is prepared by the teachers for the students. Intention setting and organizing meals/schedule. General getting acquainted.
Day 2 ✴︎ Bike
After morning coffee & breakfast on your own, you’ll meet in the yard at 9am to learn basic bike maintenance with Cheylene including how to clean your chain, fix a flat tire & pump them, adjust the seat and handle bars to fit your properly. Break for lunch at noon. After lunch, there’s an optional community ride around the rolling hills of Esperance.
Day 3 ✴︎ Trail, Bike & Outdoor First Aid
What do you do when something goes wrong? This day is dedicated to first aid basics like CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, tourniquet wrapping, and staying calm. This isn’t a formal certification, but you’ll leave feeling more prepared if someone needs your help. We’ll spend the afternoon learning basic chainsaw safety and trail-building techniques with Peter and the farm staff. Free time to revisit yesterday’s bike lesson with another optional community ride.
Day 4 ✴︎ Trail Building
We’ll spend the day trail building through the woods at Worlds End and marking them with hand-painted signs we’ll make ourselves. For early risers, Vroman’s Nose Loop Trail, less than a 30-min drive away, offers stunning sunrise views, and the summit is perfect for a little morning stretch.
Day 5 ✴︎ Forage & Cook
The morning will begin with a slow walk through the woods with one of our head farmers, Lada, who will point out what to taste, pick, and leave alone. The afternoon will be dedicated to making tea and nourishing ourselves with a cooked meal together after a few hard days of work.
Day 6 ✴︎ Fireside Wind Down
This is where the week comes together. This is your chance to revisit the lessons from the week and hike the trails we built, ride the roads, and end with a jump in the swimming pond after. Your only real obligations are showing up for the grill party and camp fire. In between, the day is yours, whether that means a pint at Wayward Brewery or a quick trip to Black Sheep Vintage in town.
Day 7 ✴︎ Spring Fling & Departure
Students are welcome to end the week with lunch at our coyotecafe, the farm’s monthly drop-in cafe, and Spring Fling, our annual plant sale. Depart by 4pm. Extra credit will be given to students who want to lead trail hikes in the newly built trails. :)
WHAT TO EXPECT
Worlds End School’s campus is nestled within a diversified, handscale working farm. We raise Icelandic sheep and chickens in addition to growing vegetables and flowers.
If you reserve a bedroom in the communal barn we will provide all the bedding and blankets you need.
LODGING
LODGING OPTIONS ARE FIRST COME/FIRST SERVED
1) COMMUNAL BARN - with three shared bathrooms and full electricity. There are 4 private bedrooms each with a queen or double bed.
2) CAMPING - there is a flat camping area in a field 5 minute walk from the COMMUNAL BARN. Bring your own tents, tarps, gear.
3) Stay OFFSITE and COMMUTE to Worlds End Farm. There is a Quality Inn & Suites 10 minutes away in Central Bridge, NY or a handful of airBnB rentals within 30min driving time.
All students will have access to shared bathrooms and our communal kitchen. There is wifi and excellent cell phone service for most networks.
COST
$840 includes instruction, access to the communal kitchen and lodging in a private bedroom, shared bathrooms, and NY state sales tax.
$550 includes instruction, access to the communal kitchen and students will camp or arrange their own lodging offsite
Payment plans available upon request; please write admin@saipua.com.