May 4, 2026
Arethusa Turns 140 Acres into a Summer Classroom
By Clementina Verge
As children care for cows and goats, await poultry incubation, and learn about tractor maintenance, their days at Arethusa Farm Camp provide exciting opportunities to connect with nature, learn sustainable practices, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for where food truly comes from.
Here, children replace screens with fresh air, and step into the daily rituals of a working farm that once housed the nation’s leading dairy cattle. What unfolds over the course of each weekly session, June through August, is not simply recreation, but an authentic agricultural experience.
“There are increasingly fewer farms, less connection to agriculture and food sources,” says newly appointed executive director Bill Davenport, a lifelong Litchfield resident and seasoned agriscience educator. “We strive for children to learn appreciation for farms and farmers, for local food, and for open land. It becomes a lifelong connection to all aspects of agriculture as we nurture the next generation.”
The camp is one of the most visible ways that Arethusa Farm Foundation, established in 2023, honors the donation of 140 acres by philanthropist Anthony Yurgaitis, who envisioned preserving the land’s rural character while establishing a center for agricultural education for all ages. Honoring the mission, camp days are thoughtfully structured, tactile, and joyful.
Arethusa was established in 1868 and named after an orchid that grew in a swamp on the land. Almost 160 years later, children ages five to 13 explore its meadows and woodlands, observe wildlife, and go hiking and fishing. Among garden beds, lessons in soil science, composting, and companion planting abound, while beekeeping emphasizes the importance of pollinators in balancing sustainable ecosystems.
The experience continues in barns and pastures where, under expert guidance, children learn the fundamentals of animal care—from feeding and grooming, to understanding the needs of horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and goats. Veterinary sessions include professional guest speakers who share core concepts, discuss current issues, and offer practical insight into animal health, bridging science with real-world application—like learning to suture—in a way that feels engaging and empowering, evidenced by children’s enthusiasm and parent feedback.
“Parents tell us that children go home exhausted, excited to go to bed and to return in the morning. It’s a win-win,” Davenport jokes. He also notices markedly increased confidence in children as they acquire skills and practice creativity through using tools, woodworking, and handling farm equipment. Whether they are taking measurements, building birdhouses, repairing a fence, or checking fluid levels and tire pressure, the experiences leave an imprint.
By week’s end, the transformation is noticeable in campers gushing with stories, carrying a deeper awareness about the “farm to table” process, and displaying a sense of independence and connection increasingly lost in modern childhoods molded by technology.
With more than three decades of experience spanning teaching and 4-H leadership, Davenport brings expertise and authenticity to the foundation’s expanding programs. This commitment ensures that initiatives like the summer camp remain a priority, nurturing the next generation with an understanding of agriculture and sustainability. Adults will find inspiration and hands-on education here, too, whether they’re acquiring new skills or deepening existing passions.
Camp registration is open until filled, sign up at arethusafarmfoundation.org
