Learn about horse care: grooming, feeding, bathing and even horse first aid! Saddle a horse, learn about tack, and even explore different styles of riding! You'll find out interesting facts about the history, evolution and anatomy of the horse while picking up some horse lingo(did you know that horses are measured in hands?) and caring for and riding the horse you'll have throughout the camp session. When not riding, you'll get to play games, make new friends and get crafty! Enjoy other farm activities: Want to help our garden grow? Look for fresh eggs in the chicken coop? Try a fresh tomato off the vine? Chaparral will give you a taste of the country life!
Bring your own lunch and don't forget your bottle of water!! Depending on the weather, campers may eat indoors or down in Chaparral's grove.
For riding instruction campers will be grouped based on experience and skill level: Level 1: Basic seat, steering and riding technique at the walk, transitions from the halt to the walk and walk to the halt. Level 2: Walking and posting the trot while staying centered and balanced. Ability to steer at both gaits and maintaining good control. Level 3: Balanced canter, leg yields, headset and collection. Ability to regulate gait and ride patterns.
Campers are grouped together but each student is taught individually by our excellent instructors, prioritizing safety and fun while riding. Students who progress faster than others are not ‘held back’. Because our teaching staff represents well over a century of training and riding experience, advancement is decided by the instructor who primarily considers the safety, skill and maturity exhibited by the rider. We encourage all our riders to set goals during their session and do our best to help them attain those, be it a first canter or a perfect halt from the walk. Students will get to show their new horse skills on the last day of class. Parents are invited to come watch the show. Remember to bring your camera. Please come 1:30pm on Friday.
Drop off and Pick up Campers should arrive each morning between 8:45 and 9:00 AM. Pickup should be promptly at the end of the day 3 PM. Your child’s safety and enjoyment at camp is very important to us. Being on time allows them to receive the maximum benefit of camp, and due to limited supervision after camp, it is important that they are picked up on time. Children must be picked up by 3:15. There will be a $1.00 per minute charge for every minute after 3:15.
Dress For safety your child should be dressed as follows: long pants, tee-shirt or blouse (tucked in), riding boots or tennis shoes (with a smooth sole), no long earrings or dangling jewelry, sun screen as needed. Please be advised that children will be required to wear a riding helmet: No exceptions! Helmets will be provided at no charge.
Lunch and Refreshment There will be breaks during each day’s activities. Please have your camper bring a bag lunch and snack. We will also have plenty of water.