By:
Submission
**About this space**
Rustic Camping on Royer Valley Farm: The farm is situated in the hills of Waldo County. We are conveniently located between Belfast and Unity Maine. At Royer Valley Farm we raise swine, beef, sheep, goats, poultry, eggs, and rabbits. Also on our farm you’ll find two draft ponies, a mini donkey and a dog, Zephyr he's a 1/2 Golden Retriever & 1/2 Great Pyrenees. The farm consists of more than 50 acres of woods & pastures that can be explored by our guests and utilize for camping.
**The space**
Note: Please review the house manual prior to booking your reservation
Rustic Camping on Royer Valley Farm.
Royer Valley Farm:
Situated in the hills of Waldo County Maine in the little town of Brooks, Maine, we are conveniently located between Belfast and Unity Maine and easy commute to other popular destination around the state
**We Raise:**
• Swine
• Beef
• Sheep
• Goats
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Rabbits
• Honey Bees
• Herbs
• Flowers
• Vegetables
• Maple Syrup
• Timber for Firewood & Lumber
• Pasture
**Other Animals & Pets:**
Our guests will also find two draft ponies, May & Grace, a mini donkey, Noel and her pet goose, Pat. We have one dog that lives in our house with us, Zephyr he's a beautiful black boy that is ½ Great Pyrenees & ½ Golden Retriever. He is a member of our family and is always with us everywhere we go.
**For Sale:**
We sell protein from all our livestock listed above, eggs, and other products here on the farm as well as making home deliveries. All products are available for purchase by guests upon request. Many of our guests bring an extra coolers for the purchase of our homegrown product. If don't have a cooler with you we can also supply one for you.
Animal Care & Respect for the Land:
Royer Valley Farm is always a farm first. We allow our property and animals to be shared by our guests and farm customers. Please know our animals must be respected at all times. Always keep pets out of the livestock areas. No guest or guest pet will running after, chase, or harass in anyway any livestock, animals, or pets. Our land was purchased by Amy and Richard Royer, Jr. on September 1st 2016 after more than a year of being almost homeless. By the grace of Heavenly Father, He has blessed us with the stewardship of this little piece of His vineyard on earth. As in the care and respect of our animals we also demand the same for the ground we walk on the air we breathe, and the water we drink. No burning of plastics or other garbage, dumping chemicals, oil or gas anywhere on the property. No littering, do not leave disposable diapers, personal hygiene items, or other disposable personal apparatus anywhere on the property. These actions will not be tolerated and could lead to your removal from the property at any time. Always dispose of your trash in a trashcan or take it off the property when you check out
Camping Conditions:
The farm sits on the side of a hill with sloping pastures and several acres of forest all of which is available for camping activities most of the time. We are open all year long for camping and other activities. We tend to receive several feet of snow in the winter months. However, we welcome any one that would like to do some winter-camping to consider staying with us, we’d be happy to host you. We have plenty of areas for people to camp; some are accessible by car, some areas the guest would need a four wheel drive vehicle, other guests choose to hike to the their special campsite. Part of the beauty of staying with us is choosing your special spot to camp. Give yourself a little extra time to look around to find your campsite or if you just want to setup somewhere simple we can help you out with that as well. Some people get here so late they just decided to forego setting up a tent and sleep in their vehicle for the night whatever you are comfortable with is fine. Come and explore our farm and enjoy the property we have been blessed with and love to share with people from all over the world.
Reserving a Campsite:
Please know all campsite numbers on our farm are interchangeable. For example: You’re looking at our listings in the reservation section and you like Campsite #1. But Campsite #1 is booked for the days you want to stay. Please just book the next campsite that’s open like Campsite #2. The numbers really don’t matter. If you like a posted picture please let us knows and I will try to hold that area for you. For returning campsite guests if you enjoyed the area you stayed in on your last visit please let us know and if no one has reserved that spot we will hold it for you.
Rustic Campsites:
All of our camping sites are rustic with no water, sewer, or electric hookups. Toileting is done in an outhouse. We expect the outhouses area to be kept clean at all times for your safety and that of other guests. Toilet paper, disinfectant, air fresheners, lime dust, hand sanitizer, and paper towels are provided.
Camping Policy & Information:
Campsites:
We will direct all guests where they may setup their campsites.
Parking:
Each Campsite is limited to two vehicles per site all others must park in designated parking area by farmhouse.
Guests Limited:
5 people per reservation with extra fees paid at time of reservation.
Pets:
Pets are also allowed guest must notify us of any pets that will accompany them at the time you make your reservation. Fees will be charged per pet per stay. Please see our pet policy.
Tenters:
We limit camping gear to one tent or camper per reservation.
Additional tents can be added to a tenting reservation at $25.00 per additional tent per night (via cash/card).
RV's and Camper Trailer: aka “Campers”
All campers must have separated reservation.
Check with us prior to reservation to a sure we have a space level or big enough for your particular camper.
Additional Tents can be added to a camper reservation at $25.00 per additional tent per night. Understand if a camping guest arrives with more than one tent they will have to pay for the extra tent before staying that night and campsite guest numbers apply.
Campfires:
Don't leave any trash at the campsite on the ground or in the fire-rings.
Don't burn any plastic, glass, rubber, or metal. If you choice to burn food waste please ensure the fire totally consumes the product before leave.
We have trash cans set up at the Farmstore entrance for trash and deposit bottles.
All campfires are to be kept in the designated fire-rings on your campsite and never left unattended. Fire-rings are not to be relocated!
All fires must be extinguished before leaving your campsite unattended and at check out
Rental Equipment:
We offer an A La’Carte Rental menu for camping gear for those guests that would like to camp but don’t have their own gear with them. All rental items and supplies must be request before 6:00pm eastern time. All rentals are in addition to the campsite rental fees. Fees will be paid prior to your stay through Airbnb, credit card, or cash. Guests are required to accept all charges if done through Airbnb prior to receiving the service or pay for all service directly to me before staying or receiving services or products. At your request we will setup all your rental equipment and have it ready for you before your arrival and we’ll take it down once you check out, you can leave the work to us and enjoy your stay on the farm.
A La’Carte Rental Options:
TENTS:
1 - 2 Person Tent (80”dx80”wx36”h includes setup & removal ) $ 75.00 per day
1 - 6 Person Tent (120”d x 104”w x 80”h includes setup & removal) $100 per night
BEDDING:
Summer Weight Sleeping Bag $10.00 per day
Heavy Sleeping Bag $20.00 per day
Sleeping Pad Regular $10.00 per day
SHOWER FACILITIES: (Must be pre-schedule prior to use)
Shower Fee Camping Guests $10.00 per use
Bath Towel Rental $10.00 each
Bath Towel Deposit Fee $ 5.00 each refunded if towel is returned in good condition.
CAMPING EQUIPMENT:
•25 quart Cooler $10.00 per day
•Camp saw $ 5.00 per hour
•Shovel $ 5.00 per hour
•Iron tooth rake $ 5.00 per hour
•Leaf rake $ 5.00 per hour
•Camp Chair $10.00 per day
CAMPSITE SETUP SERVICE:
Royer Valley Farm campsite setup service $ 75.00 All your rental equipment setup and ready for you before your arrival and taken down once you check out, leave the work to us and enjoy your stay. Charged per tent
CAMPFIRE STARTING SERVICE:
We will get your campfire started and going for a $45.00 fee. Once it’s going it’s up to the guest to keep it going.
Firewood:
We require all campfires to be kept in the designated fire-rings on your campsite. And never left unattended all fires must be extinguished before leaving your campsite unattended and at check out.
Firestarter Kit 1: Paper, kindling $ 8.00
Firestarter Kit 2: Paper, kindling, and a lighter $10.00
Firewood: $1.00 per stick or 11th stick for $10.00
Guest gathered wood from the forest floor: Free
Important Notice:
\*No out of state firewood is allowed on our property
\*Guests are not allowed to cut down any living trees or brush and must not leave any sticks around the campsite after checking out. Neatly stacked firewood along the tree line and out of the pasture is fine.
\*Any live trees damaged the guest will be held financially responsible.
\*All additional fees must be agreed upon at booking and must be paid prior to your stay.
\*Payments can be made through credit card or cash
Carry in and carry out don’t leave any trash or litter anywhere on the farm.
\*All rental and supply fee's are subject to change without notice.
Guest access
COMMON AREA POLICY, RULES & ETIQUETTE:
•Please respect any guests that are in the common areas first.
•Please don’t leave personal belongings in these areas.
•Always clean up after yourselves and your family.
•Leave every common area in better condition than you found. This makes everyone’s experience more enjoyable.
Common Areas include but not limited to:
•Farm Store
•Farm Store Bathroom
•Outhouses
•Picnic Tables,
•Trails, Roadways, and Walkways.
Common Fire Pit:
•Located behind main farmhouse all guests are welcome to join us for conversation and to get to know your neighbors. When the fire is lit bring a chair, something to cook or roast if you desire, and a story and enjoy the night with us.
•This fire can be initiated and used by any of our guests. Be aware no matter who starts the Common Fire Pit, they have just invited everyone to join them! There is a fee for firewood that is provided by the farm. As always if gathered from the forest floor it's free for the taking.
Farm Pond and Berm:
•The Farm Pond and berm is a common area please shares this area.
Campsites:
•Please maintain a 20 foot courtesy distance away from any of our occupied campsite and guests personal belongings.
•When transiting by any of our occupied campsite and the 20 foot distance can’t be maintained please do it by the greatest distance possible and as respectfully as possible. Kindness will be reciprocated.
Animal Danger:
Any animal can be dangerous. Approach all animals calmly and with caution.
Bio-security: for the protection and health of our livestock some areas of our farm is prohibited to guests. These areas are well marked please do not enter these areas without farm staff and proper bio-security followed.
We also maintain electric fencing around our pasture. Guests are to always assume these fences are on and will give a good shock if they are touched in any manner! Other than these areas guest are welcome to explore the farm and visit with the animals.
Other things to note
Bio-security:
\*For the protection and health of our livestock some areas of our farm is prohibited to guests. These areas are well marked please do not enter these areas without farm staff and proper bio-security followed.
\*No Pets Allowed Within Livestock Areas
\*We also maintain electric fencing around our pasture. Guests are to always assume these fences are on and will give a good shock if they are touched in any manner!
Camping At Royer Valley Farm:
\*All of our camping sites are rustic no hookups at all.
\*Campsite Guest choose, with the assistants of the Host where to setup their campsite when they arrive.
\*Toileting is done in an outhouse.
\*Royer Valley Farm can provide some rental equipment and supplies but the following list may assist our camping guest prepare for their stay.
CAMPING SUPPLY CHECKLIST
SHELTER:
o Tent or Camper (No hook ups)
o Camp Chair
o Camp Table
o Ground Cloth or Tarp
o Rope and twine
SLEEPING:
o Sleeping Bag or Blankets
o Sleeping Pad, Lightweight Cot, or Air Mattress with air pump
o Pillows
o Hammock —campers love a good hammock for sleeping, a bug net and rainfly can also be add to your hammock if you’re planning on sleeping in them overnight.
COOKING SUPPLIES:
o Fire starter – lighter, matches, dry kindling (No firewood from outside the State of Maine)
o Camp stove with fuel
o Water pot to boil water, frying pan and Cooking utensils
o Can opener
o Tin Foil
o Paper Towels
o Marshmallow Sticks
DINING:
o Food Supply
o Cooler with Ice
o Bottled Water
o Paper plates, bowls, and cups (not plastic, the paper can be used to start your campfire)
o Eating Utensils
o Corkscrew
o Dish Pan and Soap
o Scouring Pad
o Dish Towels
PERSONAL NEEDS
o Small First Aid Kit —Band-Aids in a variety of sizes, something to clean scrapes and bruises, a small supply of pain killers and daily medications
o Bug spray
o Sting kit
o Mylar blanket
o Toilet Paper
o Moist wipes
o Personal Toiletries
o Soap
o Hand sanitizer
o Wash Basin
o Washcloth and bath towel
o Small trash bags
TOOLS:
o Hammer
o Ax or Hatchet
o Hand Saw
o Multi Tool or Pocket Knife—a good multi tool or knife is very useful when camping.
o Light source —headlamps, flashlight, or lantern
o Extra Batteries
o Camp shovel
o 5 gallon Bucket
o Small Rake
CLOTHING:
Clothing needs vary according personal preference, but the following few items are usually essential on any camping checklist.
o Backpack —because you’ll need something to carry your stuff in
o Rain Jacket
o Packable Warm Jacket
o Fleece hat
o Extra warm socks
o Clean/dry clothes
o Laundry Bag
RECREATION:
o Binoculars
o Camera
o Compass
o Games and Playing Cards
o Trail Maps
o Hiking Boots
o Swimming Suit
o Good Book
CAMPSITE TIPS:
1\. The flatter the site, the better. If you are camping on an incline, position your tent so that when you lie down, your head will be on the higher ground.
2\. Make sure there are no sharp rocks, branches, pinecones, or other debris that might pierce through your tent. Also, if you’re camping in an area with lots of overgrown vegetation, you might need to clear away any especially strong and sturdy vines or short shrubs.
3\. A tent position under a tree can provide shade (on a hot summer’s day nothing is quite as hot as being inside the inferno of your tent) and some added shelter.
4\. Ground that is especially sandy or loose won’t provide a good place to anchor tent stakes. Make sure the soil where you decide to put up your tent is firm enough to lodge a stake securely into it.
Food was unbelievable! Pizza dough and combos were great. Chili was delicious. Cold beer after a 2 mile snowshoe! What a place!!
Absolutely gorgeous, off the beaten path a little, but nothing every type of car can't handle. You will not regret it, though, because the atmosphere and food are bar none some of the best farm to table we've ever had.
Another beautiful evening at Toddy Pond Farm! The atmosphere is magical with the new cozy winter set-up in the heated section of the barn. And the pizza... some of the best I've had in Maine with an absolutely delicious crust cooked to perfection by Guthrie every time! The toppings are farm-fresh, seasonal and creative. The fondue is a refreshing flavorful twist on the typical recipe with a unique variety of dipping sides, including apples, Italian, sausage, traditional crusty bread, and roasted potatoes. The vegetable curry was fabulous, and the salads always include a diverse variety of fresh greens with a savory light dressing. Toddy Pond Farm is our favorite place in the Midcoast to bring friends and family for a truly wonderful experience with amazing hosts and local music. Thank you, Heide, Greg, Guthrie, Oliver and staff for what you've created!
One of the best pizza crusts I’ve ever had. Had the number one. Try the sourdough and feta and the meatballs were phenomenal too. The lamb and the polpette. Great atmosphere too. Beautiful space.
What a BEAUTIFUL place!!
Some of the best destinations are off the beaten path... and this is one of them!
We went for dinner and had a truly wonderful meal. Just spectacular!
You'll need a reservation so make sure you book in advance... and try everything. It's all incredible local food that will knock your socks off.
