Dates for 2009: June 22 - 26 June 29 - July 3 July 6 - 10 July 13 - 17 - Canter Camp July 20 - 24 July 27 - 31 August 3 - 7 August 10 - 14 August 17 - 21 - Canter Camp
The Wild Ivy Farm Summer Horsemanship Camp
is designed to introduce children to what it would be like to have a
horse of their own. Each camper is assigned a horse for the week
that will be that child's responsibility. We teach not only
riding but total horse care including stable chores, grooming, feeding, and safety. English riding lessons are given in a fenced-in outdoor sand arena with a focus on equitation.
Games, exercises, activities, and trail rides
are used as well to accomplish goals. Caring for horses installs
a sense of accomplishment, increased confidence, problem solving
abilities, and compassion.
This camp is designed for children ages 7-14.
The cost for each week of camp is $375 and includes two riding lessons and a horse care activity each day.
Each week of camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please do not bring campers early and be prompt picking them up.
Campers may attend as many weeks of camp as they wish and no
previous riding experience is required except during the weeks
deisgnated for cantering riders.
It is important that campers attend each day of camp,
as the week is progressive, culminating with a presentation for friends
and parents on Friday to show what the campers have accomplished.
We
only accept 6 campers for each week of camp allowing lessons to remain
personal and fun. In the past, our camps have filled very quickly so
please send in your registration with payment early in order to reserve
a spot. Camp Bangor students are not required to send a deposit.All payments are non-refundable. Canter Camps are reserved for riders with cantering experience. All other camps are open to riders of any ability.
OUR STAFF
Cassie Elia is the camp
director and owner of Wild Ivy Farm. She has been teaching riding
lessons for 20 years and finds passing on her knowledge of horses and
riding to be very rewarding. She has a Bachelor's degree from Johnson
& Wales University in Equine Business Management and Riding. Cassie
believes in promoting self-assurance as well as strength and balance
through riding and working with horses.
Morgan Williams has been a
student of Cassie's for many years and has helped with horse camp for
several years. Morgan has a super good attitude about helping younger
children learn how to accomplish tasks and appreciate their horses. She
is a cheerful, energetic and responsible young lady and it is a true
pleasure to have her on the staff.
We often have other volunteers that help us out during the summer, all
of whom are experienced with horses and patient with those learning
about them.
MEET THE HORSES
APRIL is a chestnut 40 year old
Shetland pony mare. She is the smallest and oldest member of our herd
and is reserved for our tiniest campers to ride. JOLLY is a 29 year old bay
Thoroughbred gelding. Jolly is very tall but very quiet and is one of
the kindest horses we have. He is very forgiving and easy to ride. JOHN HENRY is a 10 year old
chestnut Quarter Horse gelding and this is his first year as a WIF camp
horse. He is a comfortable horse to ride and has a goofy personality.
We are excited to have him as a new camp horse. DANCER is a 23 year old gray
Welsh Pony mare. She is very cute and very greedy! Dancer has a
reputation for eating everyone else's hay. Dancer is a favorite of the
campers because of her small stature and because she is adorable! SHADOW is a 33 year old
chestnut Arabian gelding. Shadow is boarded at WIF and we have been
able to use him in horse camp for the past eight years. He is known for
his bouncy trot, but is very uncomplicated to ride. His canter is nice
and steady so that makes up for his bouncy trot! HENRY is a 12 year old bay
Belgian/Appaloosa gelding. He is a big, friendly horse and loves to
smile to get a treat. Henry is very steady and sturdy and fun to ride. VANESSA is a 21 year old brown
Thoroughbred mare. She is used mostly for riders with some experience
due to her liveliness! While obedient and well-trained, she has more
energy than our other horses and likes to trot and trot and trot which
can be tiring for some beginner riders!
Although these are our regular mounts for horse camp we may use other
horses on the farm according to height and weight of the riders
as well as the skill level of each student. All horses are safe
and well schooled and chosen for their temperament. Back to Home page