2025 Goat Camp Chronicles

The Goat Conspiracy Sanctuary’s first summer camp as a 501c3 nonprofit was a blast! Our campers learned and performed the chores and hard work that it takes to keep a farm animal sanctuary running, but also opened their hearts and showed companionship and compassion to our goats and chickens throughout their 5 days here. The highlight was, of course, time with the goats, joining them as they headed out to the pasture to graze, play, and socialize. We also spent time in the chicken yard and barn coop scooping poop, collecting eggs and getting in a pet or two (when the chickens wanted).

Our friends at Planted Bloomington provided plant-based lunches and snacks, and the campers were adventurous, having fun debates about which foods were their favorites. The build-your-own-nachos bar and the chickpea burgers were tied for best lunches of the week. All of them were loving fresh fruit and other fun snacks provided in the hot afternoons, including the special vegan ice cream tasting and sundae bar!

When we weren't socializing with goats, eating delicious plant-based foods, or doing chores, we were hiking around our 46 acre property. We are very fortunate here at TGCS to have not only our large pastures to sustain our population but to have plenty of wooded areas on our property to explore. We also had lots of opportunities for nature inspired arts and crafts like using natural dye to tie dye bandanas and making bird feeders with toilet paper cores.

I wanted to take this chance to extend a heartfelt thank you to our community for engaging with this camp and to the kiddos for coming and spending a week learning, creating, exploring and falling in love with our residents. It means the world to me to be able to share this special place and these amazing animals with people of all ages, but especially the younger generations. We can’t wait to begin offering many more education and engagement opportunities, and look forward to many more camps like this one!

Best,
Jac Walker
Education Director