1 • Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 - The Scoop Today/Shopper’s Guide
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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12, 2018
Experience Friday Summer Camps at Elizabeth’s Country Experience By John Day
CORRESPONDENT
For many, the term summer camp offers up a vision of places in the country where kids could learn to swim or paddle canoes. Times have changed and so have summer camps. As kids have become a more sophisticated, so too, have their summer adventures. Today, summer camps offer the opportunity to explore the world and learn about life. One such camp is The Country Experience, located south of Elizabeth. The Country Experience is a summer camp and farm where young people and adults can learn about traditional farming. Now, in it’s fifth year, The Country Experience was started by Ed and Elizabeth Amstutz. The farm offers Monday through Friday Summer Camps from June to the end of August. Farm Stays are 2-night experiences from April to the end of October, for adults or families. The property features three large cabins for sleeping and a barn that has been renovated to provide showers, restrooms and a dining area. There is a large kitchen where meals are prepared. A considerable amount of the meals being served come from the farm itself. Ed Amstutz said, “During a Summer Camp week kids are exposed to everything that was done in farming when it was hands on experience. On the premises, we have cows, chickens, pigs and other live stock. In ad-
dition to the wide, mowed lawns we have pastures, woodlands, gardens and an orchard where fresh fruits and vegetables are grown. During the week spent here, the kids sign up for chores based on things in which they’re interested or things they may just want to try. “We don’t do simple demonstrations. We have the kids perform the tasks needed to operate the farm. They collect fresh eggs, feed the animals and learn about them. The kids plant the gardens and when ready, they harvest and clean the fruits and vegetables and prepare them for sale at our farm store. This isn’t just about farming, however, it’s about learning how to approach life. “Everything we do with kids in Summer Camp is available to adults and families who come for a Farm Stay.” Amstutz follows the basic principles of the Montessori system of education. That includes respect for the child, allowing a child to acquire knowledge and develop skills by performing tasks and offer an environment that has been prepared in such a way that children when expected to do so, can learn to do things for themselves. Elisse Pavletich, Senior Counselor, offered an example of putting these principles into practice. Pavletich said, “Everyone takes turns cooking meals. On the other hand, if one of the kids goes fishing and wanted to have the caught fish for
JOHN DAY PHOTO The Scoop Today
Country Experience Pizza Chef Mike Willis puts the finishing touches on another pie while Ed Amstutz serves it up hot and tasty.
lunch, the child would be responsible for cleaning, cooking and preparing the meal. A classic example of learning skills to do things for yourself.” Brandon Lagrone is the chef who oversees the preparation of meals and teaches campers what’s involved in cooking for large numbers of people. On Pizza Night, Lagrone becomes the Master Pizza Maker.
Lagrone said, “I learned about cooking while attending Malcolm X College. Being from Chicago I’ve come to believe that this is one dish about which people can be very demanding. It’s got to be done right.” When the pizzas that Lagrone has prepared are ready, they head to a custom built, outdoor, wood fired, brick oven covered with copper pennies for maximum heat.
Speaking about the farm, Elizabeth Amstutz said, “We came to this area some years ago when Ed was in Galena for a bicycle race. We fell in love with this region. We were fortunate to find this place.” The Country Experience is located at 115 Windmill Road, Elizabeth, Illinois. They can be reached through Facebook or www.thecountryexperience.com or 312-852-7400.
famous rib-eye steaks on the grill. “Pat Ohms of Pat’s Country House Grocery, Scales Mound, is preparing the roasted pork, and we will also serve fresh dishes prepared by JJ & Freddy’s, Stockton, and Thriving Thistle, Apple River,” said Carton. “We will also feature produce from Dittmar Farms, Elizabeth, Neumiller Farms in Savanna, Groezinger Pro-
duce Farm of Stockton, and a number of smaller local producers.” She said they have a great team of volunteers working behind the scenes to prepare other fresh specialties as well. “Watch our Facebook page (Apple Canyon Lake POA) next week for the final menu; we want the freshest ingredients available so the produce
determines the dish,” Carton said. “We’ve invited Blaum Brothers Distilling Co, Massbach Ridge Winery, and Pecatonica Brewing Co to offer tastings, and a cash bar with their products will be available as well.” Guests will enjoy all of this fresh, delicious food, outside on the terrace
Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau and Apple Canyon Lake to host Farm to Table Dinner EDITOR
When it comes to enjoying fresh, locally sourced meals, Northwest Illinois has no shortage of farm-to-table experiences. From dinner series to annual events, chefs and organizations across the Stateline are dedicated to bringing the flavors of their farms to the public. Adding their name to that list is the first annual farm to table endeavor hosted by Apple Canyon Lake and the Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau “We collaborate with the Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau on ag-oriented programming like Farm Fun
Days where our property owners and their guests can become better acquainted with agriculture in our area,” said Communications and Recreation Director Cindy Carton. “Since Apple Canyon Lake sits in the center of Jo Daviess’ pastoral landscape, the Farm to Table concept seemed like a natural step to further recognize agriculture, the local producers and what they do. So, I approached Farm Bureau manager Annette Eggers about it after our Farm Fun Day event last year. She loved the idea and said ‘let’s do it!’” Carton said the Jo Daviess County Beef Association will prepare their
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