MARY SCOTT COMMUNITY ORCHARD SUMMER CAMP 2027

 Spending time outdoors helps keep people happy and healthy—and our summer camp is built around that idea. During the last two weeks of June, the Summer Camp at Mary Scott Community Orchard invites students with disabilities to explore urban orchards, sustainability, and environmental science through fun, hands-on activities. Located in Mary Scott Park, the orchard is a peaceful, fully ADA-accessible outdoor classroom featuring pollinator plants, dwarf apple trees, and accessible facilities for all learners. 

This summer camp is a collaborative effort among professional educators, families, community partners, and volunteers. We are united by a belief in the power of inclusion and hands-on learning. All set against the beauty of outdoor spaces that welcome everyone. Together, we grow a stronger and more inclusive community through shared experiences in nature. There are several summer camps across the community, but ours is focused on students with special with disabilities, ages 6-18.

We envision a space where all students—regardless of ability level—better understand and connect with nature, build meaningful relationships, and grow with confidence. 

In this space, learning is not solitary; it is shared. Students work side by side in the soil, ask questions together under open skies, and celebrate discoveries as a community. They learn to listen—to the rhythms of the natural world and to one another. Collaboration becomes as essential as cultivation. By engaging in collective stewardship, students experience trust, empathy, and mutual respect.  

Over the course of three weeks, we will hold one-week sessions based on a common theme and can accommodate up to 25 campers in each session. They visit nearby orchards and community sites to gather ideas for improving the orchard. Through hands-on stewardship projects, students learn their actions have lasting community impact.  

 Each day begins with a morning meeting and stroll through the orchard. Campers engage in sensory-rich science activities, story-based environmental science lessons, gardening, and art. Off-site visits to other orchards provide broader context and inspiration. Students return ready to apply what they’ve learned to contribute and  improve the orchard.

 We teach more than how to plant a tree—we teach the stewardship of community. Campers travel to partner orchards to learn from others and return with ideas to improve our own space. They engage in real stewardship projects such as planting, mulching, watering, and pollinator support, learning that their actions have a lasting impact on the environment and others. 

We will host three one week-long summer camps during the month of June.  Each camp will work toward the goals of the summer camp. Summer camp attendees will learn about the orchard and contribute their efforts to further develop this space as a part of the annual Richmond Secret Garden Tour, held at the end of June. Working through community partners and resources, the camp will involve travel to nearby area orchards and bring back what we learn.

 This summer camp promotes meaningful outdoor learning experiences that connect environmental science, art, and literacy with discovery in nature. Campers learn not only how to plant trees, but how to care for plants and community spaces.

 As part of the registration and intake interview, we communicate and collaborate with parents effectively, so as to provide continuity when needed. We review and become informed of the student's unique needs and offer support and transparency. 

 RAM's annual Secret Garden Tour is the last weekend in June! Explore charming gardens within the community while plein air artists capture the beauty of each location. Stop by the museum to shop at the vendor market and browse the art sale showcasing paintings by participating plein air artists.