Camp Tomte is an exciting two-day camp for 7-11 years olds who love crafts, nature, history, and games. This fun camp is packed with hands-on activities to encourage a sense of exploration, creativity, and discovery.

Each day at Camp Tomte, campers have opportunities to do fun, hands-on learning at the Discovery Stations; have lunch and recess; and play pioneer games. There is a different book read each day written by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren: The Tomten and The Tomten and the Fox.

Sessions and hands-on activities during Camp Tomte include:

Monday

– Create a stuffed tomte, and learn how these three-feet-tall creatures are associated with the Winter Solstice and Christmas.

– Because Sweden was a predominantly agricultural country until the last quarter of the 19^th century, Swedish immigrants came to the U.S. with an interest and skills in farming. Visit Gammelgården’s barn to see and use some of the tools that early settlers would have used.

– Using the Junior Ranger booklet, spend time exploring the museum’s grounds and learning about how animals move and use camouflage; and the power some plants posses.

–  Meet a horse and learn about how to care for one. See what food a horse eats, and what type of daily activity and grooming is needed. Visit the area in the barn where horses at Gammelgården once lived.

– After seeing The Apple Harvest, painted by Carl Larsson in 1903, make a mini-Swedish apple pie to take home to bake.

– Learn how the Old Church was once a one-room school. Hear lessons that may have been taught, write on a slate, view a typical lunch, and play a recess game.

Tuesday 

– Make a wood block tomte with fake fur and paint.

– Discover how clever foxes are and the types of prey they hunt. Create a paper mosaic of a red fox.

– Using the Junior Ranger booklet, spend time exploring the museum’s grounds and learning about the sun’s power, leaves, and habitats.

– Bring to life the paintings Frukostdags (Breakfast Time) painted by Swedish artist Hanna Pauli in 1887 and Breakfast Under the Big Birch by Carl Larsson in 1895 by creating a beautiful dining table complete with fancy dishes and silverware near one of the museum’s flower gardens. Sample Swedish tea and desserts at this outdoor fika.

– Hear why potatoes were important to people in Sweden. Investigate potato varieties, explore potato plants, and be creative with making pictures and cards using potato stamps. 

– Explore the bedrooms of the Immigrant House, Pastor’s House, and Peasant Home, and see how they compare to modern bedrooms. Make straw and corn husk mattresses to see what settlers slept on.  

• Offered: Monday and Tuesday, August 5-6, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Ages: Children entering first grade through sixth grade.
• Fee: $130 members/$145 non-members (all supplies included).
  
• Register: Register at  Gammelgården’s EventBrite page.
• Registration Deadline: July 15. Limited to 20 children.
• Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Make your reservation early to guarantee a spot. A waiting list will be kept for the camp.
• Registration closes 3 weeks before the camp begins.

Please note:

• Please ensure that campers come prepared with a lunch, a water bottle, sun protection, and a change of clothes and shoes. If rain is forecasted, include a rain jacket. It’s important that children have appropriate clothing for outdoor activities and art projects, and can change into dry clothes if needed.
• Camp starts at 9 a.m., so children should be dropped off 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Prior to 8:45 a.m., parents may watch their children play on the playground next to Gammelgården.
• Pick-up is promptly at 3 p.m.
• Cancellation Policy: Up to 3 weeks before the event – 50% refund. Under 3 weeks before the event, no refunds.