A typical day at camp may consist of many different activities.  Each week of camp has a "theme", so riders may enjoy jumping, dressage, cross-country, or basic "just plain fun" days at the camp.  All weeks include 2 riding lessons per day to keep our riders safe and informed of the proper way to ride and care for their horse.   During each day, campers will have one or more "ground" lessons to learn about equipment, safety, grooming, lunging, tack and the proper use of special equipment, basic medical care of their horse, and general horsemastership on the ground.   All lessons are supervised by counselors at all times, and riders are required to wear SEI sertified helmets while around the horses.  These helmets will be supplied by the Farm if riders do not have one; however, the Tack Shop on the camp sells helmets if you want to purchase one for your camper.  A 10% discount is given to all campers in the Tack Shop. 

7am:  Rise and shine,  Chores (feeding of the horses, turn-out, and any special care that horses need on any given morning)

8am:  Breakfast in the Main Farmhouse

8:30:  Begin grooming and preparing for the morning riding lesson.  A ground lesson is usually given before the mounted lesson to make sure that every camper knows how to tack and prepare for lessons.

9am-11am.  Mounted riding lesson.  Riders are divided into ability level groups, and counselors may split groups to accomodate everyones' needs.  This will make sure that your rider is learning from her own ability level each day.

11:30-Noon:   Cooling down, untacking, and care of each campers' horse.  Counselors are assisting during this process.   Small feed given to horses at lunch time.

12pm-1pm:  Lunch at the Main Farmhouse, and talking about the morning lesson.  Questions and answers

1-3pm:  Open riding:  This is a special time for activities that include riding games, bathing horses, cleaning tack, swimming with/and without a horse, trail riding, training sessions with their horse, practicing what they learned in the morning lesson, etc.  Counselors will divide up to make sure each rider has an activity that she wants to participate in. 

3-4pm:  Evening chores:  Taking care of the horses from the afternoon ride.  Feeding horses, and caring for any wounds, or special attention that horses may have.  Cleaning tack and equipment is a daily job for the girls.  Each camper is responsible for their own equipment during the week.  Riders may bring along their own saddles (and horses) if they wish.  An extra fee for their horse is charged at the time of arrival.  Please let the Farm know if you are bringing your own horse, as ceretain "shots" and medical records are required. 

5pm:  Dinner in the Main Farmhouse.   (special cook-outs are planned for camp-out nights)

6-7:  Prepare for evening lesson.  Tacking and preparation for evening lesson

7-9:  Evening riding lesson to continue what the girls began in the morning lessons. 

9-10:  Untacking and caring for their horse for the day.   Turn out and medical care of any horse that needs it.  Closing of the Barn, and meeting at the Main Farmhouse for an evening "snack".  10-11pm..Lights out, and we talk about the schedule for the next day.

I hope this has given you an idea of the time spent with the horses at the Farm.   There are special camps that center on topics that your camper may want.  ie: Advanced Camp...this week  is for girls over the age of 13, that feel they are ready for Advanced lessons.  Requirements include Walk/Trot/Canter and some basic jumping and dressage .  Riders must have a solid foundation for this week, as we will be training older riders to improve their skills.  College riders, and future counselors will attend this advanced week to improve their skills.  Riders will ride different horses throughout the week to improve their skills in training and riding.   Young stock will be trained and ridden during this week..This is a challenging week, and not for the timid.  

Hunter Pace Weeks #1 and #2:   These two pace weeks are exciting and challenging.   Riders will work daily on a course of cross-country jumps that involve 20-40 jumps set up throughout the 125 acres of Farm.   Logs, gates, banks, and other cross-country jumps will keep your riders busy learning about riding their horses outside of a ring.   Basic skills are helpful here; however, beginner riders may split from the group, and ride flat during this pace show.  A show is held on Saturday of each week, from Noon until 5pm.  There is an extra charge for entry fee ($30) if campers wish to participate in the show on Saturday.  There is no charge for the use of the horse for the day.  Outside riders participate in the show also.   Ribbons are awarded for "average time", so there is no "competition" for the ribbons...it is all average time only.  Riders that do not wish to jump, do not have to.  Again, just average time on the course, whether you jump or not.  These weeks are fun, and parents are encouraged to participate on Saturday by helping with the show...So much fun, and a great way to finish the summer camping season.   Go one week, or both weeks...bring your own horse if you want...enjoy Pace weeks 2011!

For a list of other weeks available, go to the "forms" page.