Clapping Hands Farm Camps and Programs

Clapping Hands Farm Camps and Programs offers Homeschool Camp, Fall-Winter-Spring Homeschool Camp sessions, Winter Intensive sessions, Spring Break Camp, Explorious!, and Artful Life Camp. The program schedule says the Fall and Spring sessions include Games, Morning Circle, Morning Workshops in Focus Groups, Lunch, Anything Goes and All Camp Activities in the afternoon, Buddy Group check in, and a Closing Circle. Camp at Clapping Hands Farm takes place outdoors for the most part.

Programs

• Homeschool Camp — 8-16; campers older than 16 who are interested in focus group topics may be accepted · Thursdays, 9:00 am-3:30 pm
• Fall-Winter-Spring Homeschool Camp session #1 — 8-16 · Thursdays, 9:00 am-3:30 pm
• Winter Intensive session #2 — 13-18 · Thursdays
• Winter Intensive session #3 — 13-18 · Thursdays
• Fall-Winter-Spring session #4 — 8-16 · Thursdays, 9:00 am-3:30 pm
• Explorious! — 18+ · October 10-12, 2026, 9 am-5 pm · $225 per session
• Spring Break Camp — 7-13 · March 30-April 3, 2026, 9 am-5 pm
• Artful Life Camp — 19-30 · May 11-15, 2026, 9 am-5 pm

At a glance

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Price range: $225 per session
• Current session: Session #1: Sept 10-Oct 15 (Sep 10–Oct 15, 2026); Session #2: Oct. 29-Dec. 10 (Oct 29–Dec 10, 2026); Session #3: Jan 21-Feb. 25 (Jan 21–Feb 25, 2027); Session #4: March 18-April 22 (Mar 18–Apr 22, 2027); Explorious! October 10-12, 2026 (Oct 10–Oct 12, 2026)
• General schedule: Homeschool Camp runs on Thursdays throughout the Fall-Winter-Spring, from 9:00 am-3:30 pm. The Fall and Spring sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and include Games, Morning Circle, Morning Workshops in Focus Groups, Lunch, Anything Goes and All Camp Activities in the afternoon, Buddy Group check in, and a Closing Circle. Camp at Clapping Hands Farm takes place outdoors for the most part.

About the provider

Clapping Hands Farm’s programs focus on Visual and Performing Arts, Nature, and Culture. The summer camp program began in 2000, and year-round programs began in 2007. The program is run by Louise Kessel with her family, and programs are led by working artists, craftspeople, and naturalists. About half of campers come on scholarship every season, and the camp has a “no one turned away” scholarship policy. The staff-to-camper ratio is 1:5 or better.

Every camp has a specific age group and theme. The camp has a “no one turned away” scholarship policy. Enrollment is not first come, first served; campers are selected to ensure a good spread of ages plus racial and gender balance. If a camp is full, registration still places you on a waiting list. Parents, adults and older teens are also needed as counselors or volunteers.

What families say

“Camp to me is being a kid, getting dirtier than you ever planned, making friends for whom ‘friends’ isn’t a good enough word; we’re talking ride or die folks, we’re talking soulmates, we’re talking Old And Married, you all have jobs but These Buddies are Still Your Buddies.” — Khallori Cosmey, camper and counselor

“Clapping Hands is run by Louise Kessel with her family and an incredible network of artists, musicians, nature lovers, and educators. The farm has become an incredible community institution that supports children and families in a way that nothing else I’ve seen does.” — Sandi Osterkatz, parent

“There is a heartbeat to this place! And a wonderful cast of characters!” — Pam Fleischauer, parent

Last updated September 26, 2026.