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Leadership in action
Leadership at BMK is not taught in a lesson. It is practiced all day, every day.
Kids work in teams, communicate with one another, take responsibility for shared spaces and projects, and learn how to adjust when things do not go as planned. “Fail” is a four-letter word they are taught not to avoid, but to engage with. Mistakes are treated as information, not something to fear, and kids learn to look for the opportunity inside the obstacle.
They are also encouraged to solve their own problems that I know they are capable of. This is intentional. Confidence does not come from being rescued. It comes from discovering, firsthand, that you can figure things out.
But wait… there’s more….
In every camp, kids rotate between structured activities and unstructured time in the timber, treehouse, ninja course, zip line, swings, games, and plenty of time with the goats and chickens.
Busy schedules mean kids rarely get to be in charge of their own time. This unstructured outdoor time is intentional. It gives them space to manage themselves, navigate peer dynamics, and remember how to be kids—outside, untethered, and learning through play, much like many of us did during summers that were measured more by daylight than by calendars.
And it is often where some of the best moments happen.
The Parent Camp Survival Guide (all the info you could need and more- plus a precamp checklist):
Snacks, lunch, and ice cream
Snacks: Snacks are provided. If your child is a picky eater or has food allergies, please send snacks from home.
Lunch2 day camps: If your child will want lunch at camp, please send one.
1 day camps: Lunch is not provided- please send one!
We keep food rules simple. If you are hungry, eat. If you are not hungry, do not.
Homemade ice cream is part of every camp. Dairy-free popsicles are available for those who cannot have or do not like ice cream. On especially hot days, I often add popsicles, lemonade, and other cold treats throughout the day.
Drop-off & pick-up
Drop-off starts at 8:50 a.m. for all camps.
Please review the email sent in the days leading up to camp to understand the drop-off system. It is designed to keep things moving smoothly, fairly, and safely for everyone.
If you arrive before 8:50 a.m., wait by the drop-off sign until someone is there to greet you. Please do not park in front of the house while waiting.
Pick-up is at 1:00 p.m. for half-day camps and 4:00 p.m. for full-day camps. Most days, kids will be ready a few minutes early to help keep traffic flowing. If you need to pick up early, please let me know.
There will be new instructions in the pre-camp email for families who would like to come early to see the baby goats or explore the property.
If you are running late for drop-off or pick-up, do not stress. Life happens. Just text me at 319-325-3464.
Bad weather policy and Iowa heat
For rain, please send kids in appropriate rain gear and boots, with extra clothes included. Kids often play outside in the rain and have a great time. Indoor space is always available for anyone who prefers to stay dry.
For storms, kids stay inside.
If weather becomes unsafe for driving, we follow a common-sense approach:
If severe storms affect drop-off, camp start may be delayed. I will send an email and text by 7:30 a.m.
If severe storms are expected at pick-up, camp may end early. I will communicate as soon as possible.
If conditions require camp to be canceled or if power is lost, I will send an email and text as soon as possible.
These decisions are made with safety in mind, not to create inconvenience or disrupt your day. If you need to stick with the normal drop-off or pick-up time OR you wish to delay drop off or pick up early, just let me know via text.
Discomfort vs. safety
Summer in Iowa can be hot and sticky. Safety is non-negotiable, and I prioritize it above all else.
Kids always have access to the air-conditioned BMK kitchen and workshop space. On very hot days, I adjust plans to include more indoor time, modify recipes to limit oven use, provide cooling neck towels, and ensure constant access to water.
Discomfort and heat exhaustion are not the same thing. Safety is never compromised. Discomfort, however, is part of learning resilience. Kids are encouraged to practice not letting mild discomfort determine whether they have fun, stay engaged, or try something new.
What to send with your child checklist (feel free to just copy and paste this to print and have your child take responsibility of checking things off):
Please label items you would like to have a better chance of returning home. We remind kids constantly to collect their belongings and invent new systems every summer. Lost items still happen.
Daily essentials
☐ Water bottle
☐ Lunch (optional for 1/2 day camps)
☐ Snacks from home (if needed for preferences or allergies)
Clothing and footwear☐ Closed-toe shoes recommended for outdoor play and animals (Flip-flops leave toes vulnerable to goat hooves. In my experience, hooves tend to do more damage to toes than toes do to hooves.)
☐ Inside shoes (slippers or slides) if your child does not want to go barefoot indoors. (Outside shoes are removed indoors to keep the kitchen clean.)
☐ Clothes that can get dirty
☐ Extra clothes (especially on rainy days)
Weather and outdoor comfort☐ Hat (optional)
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Bug spray
Hats, sunscreen & bug spray
The timber is shaded, and shade sails cover parts of the goat playground. Because activities rotate, kids are rarely in direct sun for long stretches. A reminder sign will be posted mid-morning for campers who were told to apply sunscreen.
There will be bugs.And some laugh in the face of bug spray, but you are more than welcome and encouraged to still send some along.
Please check your kids for ticks after camp. Here is a link to one of the types we have stashed around here: Tick Twister
I will have sunscreen and bug spray for those who forget and need to use some.
Medication
If your child needs medication during camp and you would like me to store and administer it at a specific time, please let me know by email and remind me at drop-off.
If your child is old enough to manage their own medication and there is no reason for me to be involved, then it is completely your choice to notify me about it. I trust parents to know what is best for their child and respect privacy.
