Outdoor Kitchen Project Update: The outdoor kitchen is in! Thank you so much to the organizations, Bread for the Journey and Whole Foods, that made it possible for us to install the kitchen and upgrade our programs. We developed plans to expand our existing facilities to accommodate the demand for our programs and the ever-growing need to connect children with the natural world and cultivate in them a knowledge and skill base in sustainable living and organic food production. Students participate in and learn about cooking with seasonal, local, and organic ingredients We have extended our existing shade structure, which, at maximum capacity, comfortably sheltered 10 children and 1 adult teacher with a total of two worktables. The new structure, now covers a 400+ square foot area. This increase was necessary not only to accommodate more children with a comfortable environment to work, but also to serve as the housing for an outdoor demonstration kitchen! The demonstration kitchen facilitates herbal medicine making activities, mushroom cultivation workshops, cooking classes using freshly harvested vegetables and herbs from the organic garden. The new shade structure wraps around the kitchen, forming an L-shaped design, behind our greenhouse, maximizing space, access to the kitchen, and visibility for demonstrations and programs. Feel free to stop by, pay us a visit, and see the new kitchen! Both the shade structure and the kitchen were constructed using permaculture principles. For example, the design of the shade structure harnesses the permaculture principle of stacking functions. The structure will serve multiple functions of the garden and programs, including space for our summer sustainability camp activities, space for our fall and spring programs, a place to rest from the midday sun, protection from the rain, a platform for solar water heating, a collection surface for water catchment, and an aesthetically pleasing place to rest and relax anytime. Our aim is that the project serves as a model of sustainability in its design and function and to fully engage the project as a viable learning opportunity in sustainable design and construction. The Green Team, a local guild of 15 teenage environmentalists from Orchard View High School, were involved in the planning and implementation of the project. Beginning in Mid-April of 2008, Earth Camp Dircetor Kyle Collins and Collective member, Dave Meucci, assisted at times by members of the Green team, planned the layout and construction of the outdoor kitchen and shade structure. The youth involved learned aspects of the Permaculture design process and principles as well as skills in green building and design, while being exposed to local professionals in these fields throughout the different phases of the project. Students who contributed to the project and complete the workshops were invited back to Earth Camp as camp counselors to share their experience and knowledge gained with younger students enrolled in the summer sustainability camp and other programs. The Outdoor Kitchen Project is now serving Sebastopol and Santa Rosa children, young adults, teachers and adults. Our 2008 spring and fall programs will serve over 200 children, ages 5 to 16, while our summer sustainability camp will host 200 children, ages 6 to 14. The outdoor kitchen will broaden our curriculum and enhance all of these programs in some way. Outdoor Kitchen
Project Elements Solar Oven Four Burner Stovetop Sink and Wash Basin Stainless Steel Work Tables and Demonstration Island Shelving and Cabinetry made from Recycled Materials Multi-layered Herb Drying Rack and Medicine Making Equipment Recycled and Reclaimed Lumber Salvaged Galvanized Steel Roofing Baking in the outdoor kitchen Eco-crafting in the outdoor kitchen Herbal carfting in the outdoor kitchen Program Goals 1.To build an outdoor kitchen that is a model of sustainable building design. 2.To teach high school youth and give them vocational experience in natural/green building. 3.To serve the community with educational programs in herbal medicine making, organic cooking, and mushroom cultivation. Objectives A. To involve 15 high school youth throughout the project. B. To bring in four local professionals in green and natural building. C. To have two high school youth return as camp counselors. D. To have four high school youth get involved with other local projects in sustainable and natural building. E. To serve 400 children, ages 6-14, with our outdoor kitchen in 2008. The Needs Served by this Project 1 Knowledge of Earth friendly/sustainable living skills for youth 2 Ecological and cultural literacy in our youth 3 Physical space limitations of current structure and facilities to serve our growing customer base. To donate or help out with this project, email info@earthcampcollective.org mailto:kyle@earthcampcollective.orgshapeimage_4_link_0
 
Camp Projects
Solar-Powered Pond It’s almost In! The next time you’re at the farm, stroll on back into the herb garden to take in our newly created solar-powered pond! The pond features a flow form fountain, graciously donated by Farmer Scott, an aquatic, wildlife enhancing, plant community, small mosquito fish, and a 12-volt DC pump, powered y good ‘ol solar energy. Right now our budget is maxed and the solar panel we have is on loan from Farmer Scott until we can find one of our own. We need a 60 to 120 watt panel, which costs around $400. So, if you can help, know someone that can, or would like to contribute towards the panel, please contact us at info@earthcampcollective.org or call 707-824-1600. mailto:info@earthcampcollective.orgshapeimage_6_link_0