Summer Fun on the Farm

“Our kids most enjoyed learning about/seeing the horses and playing on the giant clay hill. Great interactive and educational experience enjoyed by children of all ages. We will definitely try to make it back out to the ranch for more trips in the future.”  - Alexis Clark, 2012 TnT Program Manager / Summer Camp Manager, MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation                               

Seamark Ranch has been blessed with tremendous acreage and programs that offer a positive alternative for at-risk children in our community.  While many children will reside at Seamark Ranch and more community students may attend our on-campus school, our goal is to positively impact the lives of as many children in our community as possible.  

In the summer, Seamark Ranch’s 468 acre campus becomes an outdoor classroom where learning is fun and very much hands-on for day campers from urban Duval County and surrounding counties. The camps, funded in part by the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, include field trips to fun and educational sites around the community.   This past summer over 550 campers and 90 adults visited the Ranch.

Campers, ages 3-15, visited Seamark Ranch for one-day field trips that featured a wagon ride tour of the farm, horses, cows, chickens and other farm animals, traditional and hydroponic gardening, a milking simulator, Beef-O Bingo, examples of local wildlife, face painting, and more fun activities.  Seamark Ranch staff, children and volunteers from the community shared their knowledge and helped Seamark host the campers. 

“We are excited to share our farming and outdoor experience with the community. There is no better place than a farm to learn about our environment and the plants and animals that share it with us.  Many of these children have never been outside of urban Jacksonville.  Seamark Ranch has a unique opportunity to introduce them to a new way of life and open doors to new possibilities for even more children in our community.” 

- Fred Meiners, Executive Director