Children attending the Nurture With Nature Summer Camp at Abbotts Hill Farm & Rescue in Newtown spent the summer learning about and bonding with animals.

“We’ve been having a lot of fun,” said Naomi Ribeiro, who owns Abbotts Hill Farm & Rescue and runs the programs.

Ribeiro is also a school social worker for Milford Public Schools, and she has wanted to offer a summer camp to local children featuring the rescued animals on her home farm for a long time.

The summer camp ran in six sessions over three weeks, July 11-August 12. Educational opportunities included connecting with nature, learning about respectful animal interactions, animal- and nature-related arts and crafts, coping skills, friendship skills, emotional regulation skills, social problem solving, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga.

Each day of the sessions focused on learning about one of the animals on the farm.

On the second to last day of the camp, students arrived ready to interact with the animals. Some said they really enjoyed learning about the goats, others said the pigs were their favorite, and some said Ribeiro’s two barn cats were the stars of the show. Both cats made their way over to greet the children for the start of the day and receive ear scratches and belly rubs.

The camp was offered for children between the ages of 5 and 12. Ribeiro also offered a “Little Farmers & Me” program for parents with 18 months to 4-year-old children. Ribeiro said the parent and child program was very popular this summer. Attendees made art and met the farm’s animals.

Abbotts Hill Farm & Rescue has seven goats, four sheep, seven pot-bellied pigs, 25 chickens, a rooster, six guinea fowl, the two barn cats, two dogs, and fish. Most are rescued animals.

“Today we have a lot of things to do,” Ribeiro said, kicking off the start of the morning.

She was holding up a tablet, displaying photos and information about cats, dogs, and rabbits.

The children listened and learned. Then after, Ribeiro led them through feeding breakfast to the pigs, goats, and sheep.

“I love it,” said Nurture With Nature Summer Camp volunteer Julia Forlenzo, who is a rising junior at Newtown High School. “I love being around animals so much ... And I really like making connections with the kids.”

One student said they really enjoy feeding the animals breakfast because, “It is really fun,” and another said their favorite part of camp was learning about the animals.

Now that the summer is complete, Ribeiro has plans for upcoming programs.

An Abbotts Hill Animals & Art Session has been scheduled for Monday, September 26, from 9 am to noon. The class is for children between the ages of 5 to 12. The charge is $60 and all art materials are included in the price.

A description for the Abbotts Hill Animals & Art Session reads, “Lynne Kopcik from Imagine Art Studio in Newtown will guide the children in an animal themed art project for an hour. Ms Naomi of ‘Nurture with Nature’ will lead various activities for two hours — games, animal care lessons, time with the animals.”

To register for the Abbotts Hill Animals & Art Session e-mail nurturewithnaturenewtown@gmail.com. More information about Abbotts Hill Farm & Rescue is available on its website abbottshillfarm.com, and on its Facebook page “Abbotts Hill Farm And Rescue.”

Education Editor Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.