Our boys had been longing to go on a camping trip for quite a while. My husband and I have already considered the idea. But the lockdowns happened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To bring cheer to our boys and to help them endure the lockdown, I bought the boys a hammock and my husband bought them a tent.

He set up the tent inside our house beside where I hang our hammock. Since then, this spot has been one of our boys’ favorite spots to relax or play pretend. Our youngest child has made it his “cave” or “happy place” where he brought most of their stuffed toys.

Then, Metro Manila was placed on Alert Level 1 for a number of months already. I began to entertain the idea of going camping outside with our boys. That’s when I saw Den & Jean’s Natural Farm on my Facebook feed.

I liked the photos that I saw on their page and I liked that they only allow one family or group per day. I saw other camping sites and I didn’t like that there are many campers going to the site simultaneously. I wanted our family to go out and enjoy nature without worrying about the high risk of possible exposure to the virus brought by the crowds or a lot of people. I also liked that there were a number of farm activities that we can do while at their farm.

We stayed at Den & Jean’s Natural Farm from July 10-11 (Sunday to Monday). Traffic is usually light on Sundays. That’s why we chose to travel that day.

There are two main activities that you can do in their farm: camping and farm activities.

CAMPING/GLAMPING

I had close friends who were mountaineers and who go camping a lot. I had been invited in the past to go camping with them in the mountains. I never joined them. I just can’t. I am not camper material.

But, I was blessed with boys. Thus, I felt compelled to entertain the idea at least.

I sent inquiries to Den & Jean’s Natural Farm’s Facebook page to ask if there is a toilet near the camping grounds. I was so pleased and relieved that there is a comfort room with a toilet and bath in the farmhouse just beside the camping ground!

I also learned that in case it rains very hard while we are camping, we could sleep in the bedroom inside the farmhouse. This was a big relief because when we checked the weather on the days that we were supposed to go camping, the weather forecast was rainy with thunderstorms.

I prayed fervently for better weather so we could push through with most of our planned activities at the farm.

Our initial plan was to cook by grilling food for dinner on our first day at the farm. But when my husband told me that the weather forecast was still rainy the night before our trip, I decided that we will just buy cooked grilled food with us instead of cooking.

We left Manila on Sunday morning. It was already drizzling on some parts of the roads leading to Tagaytay. I still kept praying that we could go camping and that by the time we arrive in the farm, there would be no rain.

We bought our grilled favorites at an Andok’s branch around 30 minutes away from the farm. This was near the Twin Lakes area. We’ve decided that we will just eat at the farm so we could start our camping and farm adventure right away before it rains.

We had our lunch at the bahay kubo or bamboo and nipa hut surrounded by plants and trees in the middle of the farm. The change in environment was so refreshing and relaxing!

Since the Farm Manager was still there after we ate, I requested that we already have our farm tour while it was not raining.

Dick, the Farm Manager, toured us and gave us the opportunity to harvest some lettuce and other vegetables for our salad that I planned to pair with our dinner. the boys got to see their native chickens, too. We learned that the chickens are also fed scraps aside from feeds. The boys harvested some eggs that I planned to cook for breakfast the following day.

After our farm tour, the boys helped in pitching our tent near the farmhouse.

There are two camping sites or grounds in the farm. But, we chose to have our tent near the farmhouse so that in case someone needs to use the CR (comfort room) in the middle of the night, it would be a closer walk.

It would also be easier to go to the farmhouse in case the heavy rain pours or there would really be a thunderstorm.

Our boys were happy to help set up our tent. After that, we had merienda first. I made some sandwiches for our merienda and packed them for our camping. Then, we played with cards (Uno Flip). By the time we were finished playing, it was almost evening.

We decided to play Scrabble inside the farmhouse instead so we could also heat our food for dinner in the oven and while we were cooking rice in the rice cooker.

It was still not raining by the time we were eating dinner.

The farm staff helped us with the bonfire while we were eating. By the time we were done, it was s’mores time for us! The kids and I were so looking forward to eating s’mores for dessert! I made sure that we have our s’mores supplies with us before leaving for our trip.

It was our first time to make s’mores individually and as a family. My husband brought some beer that he could drink during our camping. We all enjoyed our bonfire activity!

After eating (a lot of s’mores), we had another game: Name That Tune. My eldest brought with him our guitar. As usual, he led our game by being the guitarist. He enjoys playing this game a lot! Most of the time, he plays the piano at home and he is our game master for Name That Tune. This was our Name That Tune Guitar and Camping Edition.

I’m so grateful to God for answering my fervent prayers that day! Although there were some light rains and drizzles during the day, we still got to do almost all of what we wanted to do. the only thing we didn’t get to do on Day 1 of our camping was to cook our own food. But, it’s still okay because we got to save time and we were able to have a bonfire and s’mores-making activity before it rained harder. It was like the rain helped us put out the fire in our bonfire.

Still, it did not rain so hard. Our boys were able to experience what they have been wishing and dreaming of for a long time. That night, our boys got their wish and prayer answered. They got to go camping and slept through the night in a tent, outside a house in a farm. I’m so proud of them!

Of course, they have flashlights with them in case they need to go out and go to the CR. We also brought rechargeable fans in case they feel warm. We used the fans when it was warm during the day and the early part of the night.

It got much colder around midnight because it kept raining. There was no thunderstorm. Thank God! But, it kept raining. I felt so cold. I was having a hard time sleeping and I also needed to go to the CR. I asked my husband to accompany me to the farmhouse. I also convinced him to sleep with me in the bedroom instead where there is a bigger bed with a comforter.

I told you, I’m not the camping type! hahaha I’m still proud I lasted that long in our tent.

I was able to sleep faster and longer in the farmhouse. Before dozing off, there were times when I was thinking of asking our boys to move to the bedroom with us. The bedroom has a queen-sized bed with a queen-sized pullout bed also. A family of 4 or 5 can sleep comfortably in the beds.

The tent was also spacious. There were mattresses as well as pillows. But the mattresses were not as thick as the ones in the bedroom, of course.

We were pleasantly surprised to discover that our eldest and youngest children woke up early the following day. This was surprising for my husband and me because they are late risers. Maybe because it was already hot in the tent and it was already bright outside. They woke up earlier than us.

By the time my husband and I woke up, our kids have already taken their baths and were exploring the farm. They have already played with rabbits and ran after chickens that got out of their coops. My eldest child said they helped get the chickens back. What an adventure for them! Our middle child woke up much later than his brothers.

We brought hot choco sachets and bread for our breakfast. I didn’t have time to cook the eggs for breakfast anymore. I cooked the eggs for breakfast the following day when we got home instead.

After breakfast, we proceeded with our other farm activities.

FARM ACTIVITIES

Our two older boys planted or sowed seeds. We got to transplant some sprouts into the plots of land. We all had a chance to harvest different kinds of vegetables and herbs. Some of the vegetables we harvested had to be tugged and pulled like the carrots and onions. But most of those that we harvested, we only needed to pick from a branch or cut using shears. We brought home our harvested vegetables and herbs. (I used the vegetables we harvested in the dishes that I prepared/cooked for my family on the days that followed our trip.) I also had a chance to plant some herbs in small pots that we got to take home as well.

Their farmers explained to all of us, not just our boys, how many seeds can be put in the seedbeds and how many days waiting time before the seeds that they planted would be ready for transplanting. Some seeds can be put together ( as many as 2 or 3) while some need to be 1 only per space allotted.

In the plots of land where the sprouts were transplanted, we were told about the needed spacing between the plants.

During our plant tour with Dick (the Farm Manager), he also shared that they plant a mixture of crops or plants per plot of land unlike on other farms. They do this to prevent too much loss of nutrients in the soil. That way, the soil will not be depleted of its nutrients. The soil will have time to recover and breathe.

I washed our harvested produce after harvesting them while my boys and their Dad cleaned up for lunch.

We decided days before our trip to avail of the farm’s farm-to-table service for our lunch on day 2 of our trip. I’m so glad we did! We had chop suey, laing, rice, and fried tilapia. I wanted us to have fresh buco juice also. However, there’s no one available to get buco for us from the trees. Maybe next time!

First, because I didn’t get to sleep right away and I was tired from all our activities the day before and the morning after.

Second, because they had a good cook and we got to try their farm-to-table service. I was glad to know that their cook didn’t use artificial flavorings and seasonings when cooking. I also do not use the commonly marketed flavorings in supermarkets. I only use salt, pepper, herbs, and spices.

Do you know that this kind of service is beneficial not just to our bodies but also to our environment? Imagine all the garbage that could be eliminated because the ingredients no longer need to be processed and packaged.

Third, because they have huge servings and we even got to bring home a lot of food which we still got to eat for dinner when we got home.

Fourth, because the food that we ate was all organic! It feels good to eat food that you know didn’t have harmful chemicals added to them at any point from the time they were planted, raised, harvested, and cooked. We were reminded that one of the reasons many people get sick is because of the food that we buy and eat at the supermarkets. Most of these foods have chemicals, artificial fertilizers, were processed, and added with artificial flavors before they got to our bodies.

Fifth, we didn’t have to worry about other people while eating or being exposed to crowds in restaurants while eating. We also didn’t have to hurry or rush since we were the only ones using the bahay kubo to eat lunch there.

We really got to soak in the natural beauty of nature while enjoying our food. It was so refreshing and nourishing mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually!

Before going home, we had a good chat with the farm owners, Denison and Jean Tan, who arrived at the farm around lunchtime.

Our kids also got to try feeding their native pigs with foraged bell pepper, talinum, and riped guavas. We learned that one reason why the manure of the pigs does not smell as bad as the manure of commercially-raised pigs is because of their diet. The native pigs in their farm are fed vegetable scraps and fruits instead of feeds. This practice helps the pigs and those who will eat them to be healthier. It also contributes to less waste and pollution.

After packing our things and our harvested produce, my husband and kids brought them to our vehicle.

We saw some cafes and restaurants with nice views of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano on the way to the farm. We decided to check out one of them on our way home. The kids and I had suman and hot chocolate. My husband had kapeng barako to help him stay awake during the long drive to Manila.

Again, we were so blessed because it seemed like we rented the whole restaurant/cafe to ourselves. There were no other customers when we arrived. Customers started coming in only when we were about to leave already.

Then, the heavy rains poured only after we left the restaurant. By the grace and mercy of God, we got home safe despite the almost zero visibility at some point during our trip from Tagaytay to Manila.

What I Loved About Den & Jean’s Natural Farm

I loved that they have a comfort room and a bedroom in their farmhouse for people like me (glampers)!

I loved that it was not a crowded camping site! There were no other campers or guests during our stay.

I loved that they practice organic farming and they shared about their practices during the farm tour! We were also given opportunities to try out farm activities. It was not only the kids who learned during our trip. My husband and I learned new things, too. We learned about vermicasting and how it is done in their farm.

I loved that they have a bahay kubo with a hammock and a table where guests can relax or have meals while enjoying nature.

I loved that it’s not too far. It was just around 30 minutes away from Twin Lakes, Tagaytay. Aside from being accessible, in case you forget anything, you can go to Twin Lakes to buy things on the way to the far or during your stay if you want to.

I loved their farm-to-table service! We were served food the ingredients of which were freshly harvested from their farm. The fish that we ate were fresh catch from fishermen in the area. We don’t always get to experience this because we usually live in cities far from farms and bodies of water. We do not have access to farms or farm owners directly. In the city and in our busy lives, it is so tempting to just prepare or order food that is quickly available due to convenience. Sadly, these kinds of instant foods or fast foods are not healthy for our bodies and to our environment. Not only are the ingredients unhealthy, but also how these foods are prepared. Our trip to the farm and this service that they provided reminded us that we truly need to be intentional with our food sources if we want to be healthy, live long and help preserve our environment. When we support local farmers also, we help build the economy at the grassroots level.

I loved that their tent is big and that they also provide mattresses and mats already.

I loved that they have friendly and helpful staff in the farm who were ready to assist us in all our needs.

I loved that there were plenty of things that families can do together to bond and build memories in the farm that were not dependent on the use of gadgets! There were also times when the signal was weak; and thus, it’s hard to connect to the internet at times. I discovered this when I was trying to back up the photos on my phone to Google Drive or One Drive because my phone’s memory is already full and I could not take more pictures.

I loved that our family was able to reconnect with nature and remember that we are co-creators and we need to respect nature. Some ways of doing this are by being mindful of our intentions, of what we are planting, and intervening less when planting and raising crops.

Do you also know that exposure to soil, aside from sunlight, is good for all of us, not just the children?

I highly recommend this farm to families who would like to go camping, especially for the first-timers like us, and to those who want to expose their kids to nature and organic farming. They have day tours and overnight stay options.

This family field trip, camping, and farm experience was definitely a memorable one for our family! I’m so glad and thankful that my husband and I got to grant our kids’ wish to go camping with them. This experience allowed us to reconnect further with each other and with nature and gave us the opportunity to marvel at God’s beautiful creation and the wisdom behind it.

It was a perfect way to celebrate the end of another successful homeschool year for our family!

How about you? Are you also planning a camping trip for your family? Do you also want to experience farm activities?