Summer Horse Camp

Information

I want to thank all the parents and children that participated in the first summer of Horse Camp with us. It was very successful. We did learn on how to make our program better and we hope to see many new faces next year.

I want to go ahead and announce our 2010 schedule for everyone to go ahead and put them into their calendars. (note: the camp focus might change once I know the spring schedule of our Farrier.)

Campers will learn about horses, horse back riding, tack and general horse care. By working with horses and doing equine activities. Our campers will learn to improve not only their knowledge about horses, but they will gain self-esteem, self-respect, and self-discipline.

We want the person that loves horses to come and have fun with other people that love horses. We will build the confidence with those that are scared of horses or the ones that have never been around a horse. We don't push you or your child too far to fast. We take the time and do it at their pace. We want every child to have as much fun as possible no matter what their horse experiences is.

Since we are a small facility we will be teaching your child what it takes to care for a horse. They will get the full experience as if the horse was in their own back yard. This has been requested by several parents of children that keep begging for a horse of their own. Our camp will be fun and at the same time show your child that horse care is a big responsibility.

I would like to let everyone know that if you home school your children if there is a group of 3 or more for the 1 or 2 day session or 4 or more for a 5 day session, I will be able to run camp sessions for your child. I've been told it can be used as PE or Science credits.

Ages

Day Camp will be for boys and girls ages 6 - 16 years old. Please feel free to phone us to discuss your child. 615-355-5533. We have lots of fun activities for both boys and girls.

2010 Dates

Camp will be open to a limited number of Students. A minimum of 4 campers is required for a session to proceed.

Spring Camp Sessions will be as follows: (These dates follow Rutherford County, Davidson County, and Williamson County school systems)

January 18th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $75 one day camp. (Focus on Health Care)

February 15th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $75 one day camp. (Focus on General Horse Care)

March 22nd and 23rd 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $150 two day camp. (Focus on General Horse Care)

March 25th and 26th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $150 two day camp. (Focus on Jobs)

April 1st and 2nd 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $150 two day camp. (Focus on Nutrition)

April 5th and 6th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $150 two day camp. (Focus on Health Care)

April 12th and 13th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $150 two day camp. (Focus on General Horse Care)

April 15th and 16th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $150 two day camp. (Focus on Nutrition)

April 19th and 20th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $150 two day camp. (Focus on Jobs)

Summer Camp Dates

Level 1

Level 1 camp uses the Level one Junior Master Horsemanship guide to learn about horses. This camp is open for all levels of riders. The children will be put into groups of 5 determined by their ability, size, and learning styles. We will have one day of ground work (Monday) and the rest of the days the children will have riding lessons. Each day we will study different aspects about horses and one day each week we will have a guest speaker. (A Vet, A Farrier, or a Chiropractor).

May 31st thru June 4th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $300 five day camp. (Focus on General Horse Care)

June 7th thru June 11th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $300 five day camp. (Focus on Health Care)

June 14th thru June 18th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $300 five day camp. (Focus on Nutrition)

June 21st thru June 25th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $300 five day camp. (Focus on Jobs)

Level 2

Level 2 camp uses the Level two Junior Master Horsemanship guide to learn advance horsemanship. This camp is open for our advance riders or for the children that have completed all of the Level 1 camps. The openings for this camp are on a first come first serve basis depending on the horses available. Each child will have full responsibility of a single horse to ride the duration of camp. They will in addition have responsiblilty of a second horse to feed, groom and take care of daily. Campers will learn horse behavior, training techniques, and will be required to do research papers each week. If you have your own horse we wil require that your child have it here for camp. We will be furthering your childs relationship with thier horse.

To participate in Level 2 the following items must be met (these items are taught in level 1):

• Be able to safely catch horses out of the field
• Be able to tie a horse safely
• Be able to saddle and bridle a horse without any help (STAFF will check saddle tightness before rider gets on)
• Ride at a walk, trot, and be ready to canter if not already cantering

July 12th thru July 16th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $300 five day camp. (Focus on Safety)

July 19th thru July 23rd 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $300 five day camp. (Focus on Anatomy)

July 26th thru July 30th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $300 five day camp. (Focus on Health & Growth)

August 1st thru August 6th 8:30 am till 4:30 pm. $300 five day camp. (Focus on the Horse Industry) We know that Rutherford County Schools has a 2 hour day on Wednesday August 4th. We would love to extend this day for those that go to school that day.

Cost

Each one day session is $75 and each two day session of Horse Camp is $150. A week long session of Camp is $300 (yes we did increase our hours from 25 a week to 40 a week). If your child takes a full Level 1 or Level 2 course (4 weeks) it is discounted to $1000.

For our summer camps we ask that a $75 (non-refundable) deposit be paid ASAP to hold your child's spot. Pay by April 1st and only pay $250 per week. Pay by May 1st and pay $275 per week. (The 4 week course are not discounted any further no matter what time they are paid for) You may pay for the deposit by clicking the link below. Please add the quanity for each week your child will attend.

Activities

Each Student will help take care of a horse and it will be their responsibility to brush, saddle, feed, and clean up after their horse . Of course we will teach them how to do this and help them until they can safely do it on their own. We will also have daily demonstrations of important aspects of horse ownership along with hands-on projects and crafts. Each day will include a riding lesson, a craft project, and daily barn chores, along with lots of fun horse time.

Students will rotate through different learning centers, being taught how to clean stalls, feeding, tacking (putting equipment on the horse), washing & grooming, and identifying the parts of a horse, saddle, and bridle in addition to a daily riding lesson.

We will be learning different horse related subjects from the JMH Handbook (level 1 and 2) such as: the different breeds, colors and markings, basic horse anatomy, parts of a saddle and bridle, and depending on what is going on learning first hand from the Farrier, Chiropractor, and Vet. If you do not have a copy of this book it can be purchased for $14.95 plus tax from us. (This book is included in Week Long Sessions of Camp)

There will also be horse related crafts, projects, and games to be played in inclement weather.

Times

8:30 Am To 4:30 Pm

After care is available. (you may drop your child off as early as 8 am and pick up by 5 pm free of charge. Early and After care rates are $10.00 per hour per child.)

Terms of Fees

Balance is due on or before the morning of the 1st day of camp. If you are paying by check it must be given at least 10 days prior to Camp so it has time to clear the bank. You may pay by CASH or Credit Card the day of camp. To get the early bird special camp must be paid for in full before at least 30 days before the start of camp.

If you do not board with us and want to bring your own horse there is not a fee to bring your own horse. Please also bring hay and grain that your horse is accustomed to eating. We will stable your horse in its own private Paddock. Horses must have a negative coggins test, and all horses from out of state must also have a health certificate within 30 days.

No refunds will be given in the event of dismissal or withdrawal from horse camp on the account of homesickness or misconduct. If you are unsure of how your child will do please sign up for a one or two day clinic to see how they do. In the event of an illness requiring the attention of a physician, or a death in the family, your child can enter another session of camp or one half of the unused fee for the unexpired portion of the term will be refunded.

Enrollment will be on a first come first served basis so it is recommended that you reserve your child's space early to insure availability of preferred dates.

After camp care is available for an additional charge from 5:00 to 6 pm. The cost of early or after camp care is $10 per hour. Payment must be made in advance or each day at pick up.

Required Item for Camp

The following list is of things that are suggested for camp. 1 thru 6 are required:

1. Long pants, (Jeans, riding pants, Chaps)
2. Shoes with a heel or boots (comfortable, will get muddy occasionally). (students wearing Tennis Shoes will not be allowed to ride)
3. Snacks and Lunch with several bottles of water (the kids like it frozen)
4. Sunscreen
5. Riding helmet is A MUST - No bicycle helmets please (helmets can be purchased at TSC, Co-Op, and online. Please make sure it fits properly. We do have some helmets for use but not enough for the full camp.
6. JMH Junior Master Horseman Handbook (level 1) (Can be purchased at AQHA Store. We also have copies of the JMH Handbook for sale.
7. Light color t-shirt or long sleeve shirt if your child burns easily
8. A towel
9. Extra Socks
10. Chap stick
11. Shorts to put on when not riding (Tennis Shoes may be worn at this time)
12. Sunglasses
13. Carrots or Apples (For the horses)
14. Gloves
15. Hat to wear to keep sun off when riding helmet is not being used.

Please put all items in a small bag with camper's names on bag and or items.

NO Sandals or Flip Flops may be worn at any time.

News

We would prefer that parents not hang around during camp so that your child can feel free to participate without worrying what you think. I carry my cell phone at all times and I will reach you immediately if something was to happen. If you need to hang around while camp is going on please let us instruct your child during the activities of the day.

Once we get your deposit we will mail you a packet of materials and forms for your child's camp. Please either mail these back or bring them the first day of camp. Your child will not be able to participate without these forms.

If you want to check out other Tennessee horse camps before making your decision please do. In addition you can look at horse camps all across the United States here.

Registration Forms

The following forms are in the registration packet. Call us if you need us to mail you one. Or you can print them out and mail them to us.

Please note that the registration Forms are currently still for the Summer Camps. I will be updating these soon.

• Registration Form Please Mail Back
• Authorization Form Please Mail Back
• Liability Release Please Mail Back
• Medical Release Please Mail Back
• Previous Riding Information Please Mail Back
• Photo Release If you want camp photos Please Mail Back
• Barn Rules
• General Information
• Required Camp Items