Many therapeutic riding programs offer summer camps. Summer camps can be a great extension to the program your center normally offers. Summer camps allow more time to teach riding and expand into horsemanship skills. Camp allows students to get to know your program horses and camp counselors better. Camp can be opened to the community in an integrated camp including riders with and without disabilities.
Benefits of a camp program
- Campers come for a full or part day for one week or more
- Campers can learn more riding skills with practice each day
- Campers can practice horsemanship skills they might not otherwise be exposed to
- Campers make friends and interact more with each other and staff
- Camp can be integrated to include children of all abilities
Things to consider
- What will staff do with the campers for 4 or more hours?
- Will you need to hire more staff or a camp counselor in addition to your riding instructors?
- Can your horses handle the number and types of riders attending camp?
- Will you need additional insurance and what restrictions does that policy have (ex. swimming)?
- Can you find enough volunteers for a full day period?
- How much will you charge?
- Do you need a state inspection? There are a variety of rules/regulations regarding camp programs.
After thinking through these questions you may begin to prepare a camp program for your center. Some programs choose to do theme weeks, some choose to group campers by age or ability level while others give general camper guidelines and let the dates determine signup. Camp can be a half day or full day program depending on the population of campers you are serving and what types of activities you are offering. Some of our favorite activities include:
- Roping from the vaulting barrel
- Bath and beauty day (for campers and horses)
- Horse show on the last day of camp with invitations given to parents
A summer camp can be a great addition to your center’s programs and to your students summer experiences.