Summer Camp recommendations

[NC001]

Last summer my daughter was able to attend a great horse summer camp that had everything we were looking for in a camp- great kids, attentive instructors, nice facilities, talented, safe and fun horses, and it was an all around fantastic experience for her. Unfortunately due to school scheduling, she cannot return to that camp this summer. We are looking for another camp that can really give her a similar experience- all horses all day. We have done plenty of local camps but we are looking for a week long situation where she can really gain quality experience around North or South Carolina/Virginia area.

Any recommendations? She is 13 yrs old and probably an intermediate rider for her age. I have looked into Chatham Hall summer program so if anyone has any feedback on it I would appreciate it.

Thanks

[Pokerface]

I did Bonnie Castle Riding Camp at Stoneleigh Burnham school when I was a kid. I LOVED it. Met amazing people, learned tons of horse related stuff, and the facility is lovely. https://sbschool.org/summer/bcrc/

[rockonxox]

I love Stoneleigh Burnham! I also went to Camp Cayuga in the Poconos as a kid and horseback riding is one part of it. I absolutely loved it there and for my activities I 99% of the time signed up for riding, but they have so many other things as well. It is where I got to do my jumping… but also dabbled in barrel racing and it was a blast. Doesn’t hurt that it is a beautiful facility. Both might be a touch far if you don’t want to stray from SC/VA specifically, but I’d recommend looking into them.

[AffirmedHope]

Have you looked at New Meadow?

http://www.newmeadowcamp.com/camp/

[twoscompany]

@Pokerface

I did Bonnie Castle Riding Camp at Stoneleigh Burnham school when I was a kid. I LOVED it. Met amazing people, learned tons of horse related stuff, and the facility is lovely. https://sbschool.org/summer/bcrc/

Second SBS. I was a camper there eons ago and returned as a counselor/instructor (I was a USEF professional and licensed to teach in the state of MA) in my college years. Quality horses, they employed great college age counselors, Mina (the director) is wonderful and the facilities are great. They plan field trips off campus and a horse show at the end of each session. Depending on what weeks you go can determine the “extra curriculars”. We took the girls to Vermont Summer Festival to spectate, Six Flags, and one session they assisted with us running our rated Horse Trials. Many girls came for multiple sessions, if not all three.

Word of advice- the dorms do not have AC, and western MA in the summer (especially the valley) does get hot! So be prepared. You can have fans, but no AC units.

[soloudinhere]

I also did SBS eons ago and really enjoyed it.

[NC001]

great suggestions thanks! I am looking into them and welcome any more comments

[gottagrey]

I thought the OP was looking for camps in N/S Carolina or Virginia?

[PalmPony]

Chatham Hall’s program is excellent. I have sent students to them for camp, have attended shows rin by them, and always reccomend their program. The kids who went to camp always come back raving about it and want to attend school there after going to camp. I cant think of a better place to send a 13yr old in the area for riding camp.

[PREconvert]

Sorry to tell you but New Meadow closed. It was my first choice for my daughter for this summer, but they went out of business.

[thebiggrey]

I know you wanted to stay closer to home, but I attended SJ riding camp in CT years ago and loved it! Great horses, fun activities, knowledgeable counselors, and a cool xc course. They do horse shows at the end, trail rides where you tie up the horses and make s’mores, sing alongs, and lots of games/arts and crafts/ regular camp activities. They also free lease out their camp horses for the winter, which a few people I know did and really benefitted from it, if you ever want a cheaper option for an off season horse for your daughter!

[AffirmedHope]

@PREconvert

Sorry to tell you but New Meadow closed. It was my first choice for my daughter for this summer, but they went out of business.

Wow just saw that on the main page! How sad. Though I guess not totally surprising. The owners were getting older. They probably want to downsize and focus on the main farm in Philly.

[lmlacross]

@thebiggrey I went to SJ from probably 1989-94 or so. It was the best experience I could have ever asked for. I remember it fondly, and I hope my now-four-year-old daughter will grow up to love horses so she can enjoy it, too. Of all the things my (awesome) parents did for me as a kid, SJ was the best.

OP, it’s a wonderful place. Small camp, great sense of community, rustic cabins, and a great staff. SJ is family owned, too, and there’s absolutely no pretense. Great riders with A-circuit experience, eventers, once-a-week lesson kids, total newbies-- all can have a great time and learn a ton. Great trails, too.

One point in general: definitely look for a camp that owns its horses rather than seasonally leases. They’ll know better what they have, and campers will benefit from it.

[NC001]

@PalmPony

Chatham Hall’s program is excellent. I have sent students to them for camp, have attended shows rin by them, and always reccomend their program. The kids who went to camp always come back raving about it and want to attend school there after going to camp. I cant think of a better place to send a 13yr old in the area for riding camp.

Thank you so much for this recommendation! It is very helpful.

We would prefer some place close to NC or VA this summer but I like hearing about other places. My husband and I could always take a vacation to the area while my daughter does camp if it someplace really worthwhile.

[gottagrey]

does the barn where she’s riding have a summer camp? Many barns I know of have day camps during the summer. or depending on her age, maybe she could get some sort of working student type situation if he wants to be at the barn all day

[KathyR]

Too bad she’s not older. Hollins University has a fantastic summer riding camp.

[cm2021]

Not in the local area you were looking for but SJ Ranch Riding Camp in CT is great!! I have been going there for years and unfortunately can’t go this year. Staff and Campers come from all around the world, the horses are wonderful with all the girls getting to ride twice if not more then that a day. They have good food and a good community with only 40 girls per week so everyone gets to know each other. Highly recommend!

[NC001]

@gottagrey

does the barn where she’s riding have a summer camp? Many barns I know of have day camps during the summer. or depending on her age, maybe she could get some sort of working student type situation if he wants to be at the barn all day

Lots of barns in our area have summer camps including her own but they tend to cater to younger less experienced kids. Even places they say they have an advanced camp are not always advanced or don’t spend that much time riding and others you have to ride at that barn to get into the advanced camp. She already helps with the camps at her barn and will continue to do so, and she already rides 3-4 times a week there so she wants experience with different horses and instructors. It’s hard for us to judge her riding capability since she’s been at the same barn the entire time and they don’t really show.

Looks like there are several colleges with equine summer camps once she is in high school so we will look at some of those when the time comes.

Thanks!

[gottagrey]

@NC001

Lots of barns in our area have summer camps including her own but they tend to cater to younger less experienced kids. Even places they say they have an advanced camp are not always advanced or don’t spend that much time riding and others you have to ride at that barn to get into the advanced camp. She already helps with the camps at her barn and will continue to do so, and she already rides 3-4 times a week there so she wants experience with different horses and instructors. It’s hard for us to judge her riding capability since she’s been at the same barn the entire time and they don’t really show.

Looks like there are several colleges with equine summer camps once she is in high school so we will look at some of those when the time comes.

Thanks!

It almost sounds as if she’s might be too far along for a camp type situation. Are there some smaller show barns in your area where she might fit in as a working student? A trainer friend usually always had a tween/high schooler who’d help her around the barn and at shows. They’d get lessons, free rides and to show in exchange. Depending on her age, that might be something to think about…if there is such an opportunity for her. She doesn’t want to just be someone’s stall mucker either… Sounds like you have a great daughter.

[AffirmedHope]

What about international riding camp?

http://www.horseridingcamp.com/