when on the farm a sort of grace comes in and invites you to drop into your body and go a little more slowly, the flowers and animals all of a sudden have more sway than bright shiny screens, in fact you wonder what could be more delicious than making a flower burritos with a small child out of nasturtium leaves and calendula flowers?….
Or teaching someone how to use a few tools and some leather to make a purse?
Or coming up with a mural to adorn the chicken coop?
Each day I am tired in that good deep way that I remember from my own childhood…
The joy I feel when with kids in nature is the same joy I used to feel before I knew how fast the world wanted me to go… it’s an honor to witness each child that comes here unfold whatever they choose to and lay it down then Run giggling to the goats or swings..and a gift that parents trust us with their gold while it still shines so brightly ❤ KT
A steward of Full Moon Rising Farm Anne has taught children of all ages for over thirty years. She has a Master Degree in Education, a Primary Montessori degree and taught in two Waldorf Schools as well. Having raised her two boys to adults, she continues to nurture a menagerie of animals and plant life. During the school year she welcomes families for farm visits as well as runs a private practice as a Licensed Massage Practitioner. Latest passion-native pollinators and honeybees, with a bit of travel mixed in.
Sawyer is a Junior at Lewis and Clark College, majoring in Environmental Studies. Growing up in the woods of Whidbey Island, he has cultivated a strong connection to the land. A veracious crafter, he enjoys building with wood and leather. Sawyer has been a camp counselor with Full Moon Rising Farm for six years.
Havilah Rand has over 25 years of experience as a musician, songwriter and educator. She has recorded five full-length albums and toured the U.S.and beyond. In 2006, Havilah received her Master’s Degree in Teaching and has taught in both public and private educational settings for the last seventeen years. She developed Young Songwriter Programs as a way to integrate her passion for creativity and music into her work as an educator. Since 2012, Havilah has led summer camps, after-school workshops and academic enrichment programs throughout the United States and Europe. In 2016, she was nominated for the prestigious Austin Music People’s Esme Barrera Award for Music In Education and Activism. She has won numerous awards for her songwriting and had several songs featured in films. In addition to songwriting and performing, Havilah teaches 7th and 8th grade and is an avid birdwatcher and hiker.
Linnane Armstrong grew up on Whidbey Island and returned after college to build a career as a professional artist while raising her children here. Linnane's primary mediums are woodblock printmaking and painting. She is currently earning her master's degree in elementary education with a focus in upper elementary general education. Linnane is excited to share her passion for arts and interdisciplinary learning with campers at Full Moon Rising Farm this summer.
Leigha Smith is a Natural light photographer raised in NW, currently living in Southern California where she works as a professional photographer. Her family has lived on Whidbey for over 35 years and Leigha considers it her second home, making yearly visits to the Island. After years of sending her daughter to Full Moon Rising, Leigha is excited to bring her expertise and passion to our campers this summer to encourage and foster their vision and creativity behind the lens. @leighasmithphotography
Joan Green is an environmental artist and art teacher who connects people to the earth and their creativity, through reusable materials. She is influenced by Expressive Arts, Eco-Psychology and the Reggio Emilia approach to being with children. She is an artist in residence with The Climate Science Alliance – Climate Kids program, which educates children about climate change. In 2016 she was an artist in resident at Cabrillo National Monument, where she made art from debris that washed up on the shores of San Diego. Joan has more than 10 years of experience creating with children and the community. She is passionate about giving people the time and space to enjoy nature as they freely create. Read more at www.greenartlabs.com
Torrey Green (she/her), is a recent 2023 graduate of SWSD. Torrey will be studying Women’s Studies and minoring Political Science in NYC starting the fall of 2023. She moved to South Whidbey from San Diego, CA in the fall of 2020. She spends most of her time engaging in making change through environmental justice and gender equality advocacy work in a student-led organization based on South Whidbey, called United Student Leaders (USL). She loves to walk on the beach, paint, play guitar, and swim.
Torrey has been a camp counselor for Green Art Labs for more than 7 years, and has been spending summers at Full Moon Rising Farm since 2017. Torrey has been facilitating art with children for countless years in workshops, classes, and camps. She loves spending time at Full Moon Rising Farm, and facilitating scavenger hunts, meditations, and nature-based water coloring with kids.
Studied industrial arts in college and during this time was involved in assisting youth programs in nature. In my forty years as a general contractor working on varied buildings projects, I have had many great opportunities to mentor many young men and women on my crew. I see more and more the importance to teach, encourage and empower our youth. I am excited to bring my woodworking and blacksmithing skills to Full Moon Rising Farm this summer.
Jeff Petersen is an artist who lives and works in San Francisco, California with his wife and son. His education is rooted in Art and Design and since that time has become an accomplished painter, illustrator, and muralist. He brings his knowledge of various materials and art practice to the Full Moon Camps. Visit his website to see more.
Kate is a magical being hailing from a small beach town near Melbourne, Australia. She first came to the U.S. for an education in acting where she went on to perform as an actress in theatre with an emphasis on Sam Shepard plays. During this time she also became a certified massage therapist in San Francisco where she now practices and lives with her husband and son. She brings her bountiful energy and creativity to the Full Moon Camps.
Ruby Jones is an interdisciplinary artist, focusing primarily on mixed-media sculpture, drawing, and jewelry. Her sculptures deal with themes relating to the environment and ecological relationships, incorporating found and organic materials with cast clay, metal, and plaster. She was raised on south Whidbey and has strong ties to the more-than-human organisms that also inhabit this beautiful place. In her free time, Ruby likes to go on adventures with her little dog Wiley. She is also an avid home chef and gardener. Learn more about her at http://www.rubyraejones.com/
"A terrific camp that reminds me of my own childhood camp experiences - lots of time outside, getting dirty, making new friends. My kids loved everything from playing in the woods to feeding the farm animals to eating goat's milk ice cream they helped make. Highly recommended!"
"Coyote Camp is always a blast! Kids love the adventure, the hikes, archery, games, stories, wood carving, crafts, arts and so much more!"
"My son was so energized by what he was learning and doing all week. Not one for crafts he was thrilled to use items in nature to create useful items and, yes, crafts! He came home with more confidence, a greater love and respect for the great outdoors/nature and the reminder that being dirty is fun!"
