A Treasure in Odessa
History
Part of the famous Camp Keystone – Florida’s oldest continuously inhabited camp – Old McMicky’s Farm opened in 1991 and quickly became a favorite field trip destination for kids and parents. Camp Keystone gave thousands of kids from all corners of the U.S. fun, unforgettable memories for six decades, hosting staff and campers such as Burt Reynolds. Creating a big family of camp alumni, Camp Keystone and Old McMicky’s Farm encompassed fun activities in nature, horseback riding and singing around campfires and American farm life.
Old McMicky’s Farm is bringing back the beloved tradition of farm life to a new generation, offering a rare opportunity for kids to interact face-to-face with farm animals. The Farm hosts field trips for about 30,000 Tampa Bay area children every year, with many seeing and interacting with goats, pigs and sheep for the first time in their lives. This hands-on educational experience gives everyone from young to old, a fun-filled day with the opportunity to touch, see and have an up close experience with American farm animals, while also taking an exciting hayride, exploring the barn maze, and even milking a cow.
In addition to field trips for kids & family visits, the farm also hosts beautiful weddings, corporate events, and Farm fundraising events such as Barns & Beer. Here are just a handful of Old McMicky’s programs.
Hands-On Animal Education
Old McMicky’s farm is not a petting zoo, it’s an educational farm/day camp teaching about farm animals and farm life.
Surveys show that 7 out of 10 people have never milked a cow, touched a goat or seen a newborn baby farm animal. Old McMicky’s gives visitors the opportunity to experience what it’s like to live on a working farm. Visitors of all ages can take a guided tour of the farm with a professional tour guide and enjoy the beautiful view of Crescent Lake while eating lunch in the oak tree-shaded picnic areas.
Giving Back to the Community
A very important mission of Old McMicky’s Farm is giving back to the community. It has a multitude of programs to support children and veterans facing challenges, active duty military members, teachers, and foster children who need to find forever families. Old McMicky’s Farm was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition and a Congressional Coin for “Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Community.”
Mission: I Do
Old McMicky’s has donated over $125,000 to Active Military Members & U.S Veterans in free weddings through its ‘Mission I Do’ program, giving an all-inclusive $30,000 Dream Wedding to an active duty military member or Veteran in the Tampa Bay Area. This incredible program is sponsored by Old McMicky’s Farm and generous Bay Area Businesses. This gift is in appreciation for the sacrifice of the men and women who currently serve or who have served in the military.
Purple Heart Medal Recipients
The Farm recently invited 17 Purple Heart Recipients and their families to come as special honored guests to Old McMicky’s main fundraiser, “Barns and Beer”. A special ceremony was held to honor each of them and their service.
1000 Kids Program
Each year, Old McMicky’s Farm’s “1000 Kids” Program has a goal of welcoming 1,000 kids in the Tampa Bay area who are facing challenges, to come out for a great day at the farm and enjoy amazing moments with animals and activities in an atmosphere filled with love and fun. As of 2019, Old McMicky’s Farm was very proud to have hosted over 5,600 children under the farm’s “1000 Kids” program.
Teachers Rock
Old McMicky’s Farm believes that teachers make such a huge difference in the lives of children and families in the Tampa Bay community that they decided to show their appreciation by helping a teacher start a family of their own with a $20,000 Dream Wedding Gift.
Saturday’s Child Adoption Education Day
Old McMicky’s Farm hosted a Child Adoption Education Day (CAED) and it was a huge success. It was one of the largest child adoption education events in the nation with over 450 people coming out to learn about adoption and to talk with agencies and adoptive parents. Over 1400 people visited the CAED webpage. Old McMicky’s Farm was recognized by the Congress of the United States of America for the Farm’s work for the adoption of foster children.
Volunteers are a BIG part of Old McMicky’s Farm and they are always looking for new people to join their farm family.
For more information on events, field trips, volunteering or to arrange a visit to the farm, please contact Old McMicky’s Farm at (813) 920-1948 or www.oldmcmickys.com. The farm is located at 9612 Crescent Drive in Odessa.
