Do your children want to spend the entire day with horses? Or is it summer, and you're looking for something to do with your kids to help them learn while having fun? Summer horseback riding camp is the answer for you. Horseback riding is an excellent activity for children of all ages, and it also helps children learn responsibility and independence from their parents or guardians. At most horseback riding summer camps, your child will have the opportunity to meet other children of diverse cultures who love animals, particularly horses. Make your child's horseback riding dreams a reality by sending them to one of the best horseback riding summer camps in the United States listed in this article.
What are Horseback Riding Summer Camps?
Horseback riding summer camps are designed to teach people who want to learn how to ride. Camps also teach those who already know how to ride to improve their riding skills. These camps also teach children how to care for horses, responsibility, work ethic, and character. All of this is done while staying fit and making new friends.
Horse camp instructors are qualified coaches, ensuring children present at the camp are well-guided and cared for. As a result, there is little to no fear. Your children are always in the hands of capable adults.
Horseback riding vacations make excellent summer camps for children. This is why horseback riding camps are becoming increasingly popular, with many having waiting lists for their summer sessions and other camp sessions offered throughout the year.
List of Best Horseback Riding Camps in the USA
Given the numerous factors to consider when looking for horseback riding summer camps in the United States, we have compiled a list to help you find one. Here are some of the best camps in America;
- Camp Tall Timbers
Camp Tall Timbers is a fun and rewarding camp in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains foothills. For over 50 years, the center has provided a variety of entertaining, engaging, and inspiring activities for children aged 7 to 16. It provides a safe, nurturing environment that encourages independence, decision-making, confidence, self-discovery, and many other skills.
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Camp Guaikinima
The sleepaway camp is in Fruitland Park, Florida, about an hour's drive from Orlando. The horse riding camp is designed specifically for boys and girls aged 6 to 16. Aside from horseback riding, other activities at the base include water skiing, wakeboarding, high ropes, canoeing, choreography, tubbing, paintball, archery, zip-line, arts & crafts, paddle-boarding, and much more.
- Camp Walden Michigan
For over 60 years, Camp Walden MI has served as a camper's home away from home. It is a family-run camp for children aged 7 to 16, where they can explore and grow through new activities, friends, and challenges. The camp teaches English saddle riding, leads trail rides, and has an Adopt-a-Horse program where riders learn how to care for a horse.
- Rockbrook Camp
Rockbrook is an overnight camp in western North Carolina's mountains. The camp, founded in 1921, offers multi-week overnight camp sessions for girls ages 6 to 16. About 200 campers are hosted per session and they are exposed to various activities such as horseback riding, crafts, sports, outdoor adventure, swimming, and much more.
How to Locate the Finest Horse Camps for your Kids
When looking for the best horseback riding summer camps for your children, there are several factors to consider. These considerations will help you cater to your child's various preferences and experience levels to have a positive experience. They include;
- Distance from home
The distance between the camp and your home is crucial, especially if your child is attending camp for the first time. It may be easier for kids who aren't new to summer vacations to attend further away camps. This is only sometimes the case when children attend for the first time.
- Safety of the camp
The safety of the camp is an important criterion when selecting a campsite. Before any child gets on the horse, the horses used in camps should have received proper training and have been temperament-tested in various situations. Find out how long the facility has owned and ridden the horses it uses.
- Instructor’s experience
While you are away, the horseback riding instructors, coaches, and barn staff will interact with your child and the horses daily at the camp. As a result, you must speak with the camp director or top staff members about your background and experience instructing horseback riding.
- Available first aid equipment at the camp
It is critical to have first aid equipment when participating in any sport, hiking or camping. There will always be minor and major injuries in sports. The campground is not exempt from this mandate. During those blissful moments at the summer camp, we are most excited and prone to those mishaps. A horseback riding camp should have a few camping first aid essentials to respond effectively to accidents.
- Cost
The cost of horseback riding summer camps is determined by the location, the instructors' experience, the type of riding lesson, and other fun activities the children will participate in. You must select a camp that provides practical classes without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a horseback riding camp for your child can be arduous, considering the details involved. It is worthwhile because your child may be happier at the end of the vacation. In addition, your child will learn some life skills, develop character, and form relationships with other children in a safe and cooperative environment. In addition to these factors, numerous horseback riding camps are available throughout the states each year, making it difficult to choose. You can refer to this article to find a summer horseback riding camp for your children's summer vacation.
