Summer Camp
Ages 3+
Our Wild Hooves Wilderness Adventure Summer Program is an agriculturally based program designed to build an appreciation for the natural world around us, and its creatures. Each week has a special theme, and for our horse-lovers, horseback riding will be a part of camp each day, weather permitting.
Week 1: For the Love of a Horse - June 24-28
This week is geared to be all inclusive and FUN! In the beginning of the week have fun grooming, braiding, and decorating a variety of ponies and horses. Mid-week we will learn about tack and equipment, basic movement, and styles of riding, and routine care for equines. As the week moves on, we will learn basic horse handling skills, the importance of balance and exercise to equine anatomy and even try out a mock show. Each day we will mount and learn to ride. While on horseback we will play games and learn skills congruent with each participants’ individual skill levels. This week is all ages and beginner friendly!
Week 2: The Milky Way - July 15-19
This week, in addition to riding basics, we will learn all about Goats! First, we will cover the basics: history, breeds, routine care, and wellness maintenance. Then as the week progresses, we will learn how to milk a goat, and make some goat’s milk dairy products including ice cream, cheese, and soap! In addition, we will have lots of cuddle/snuggle time with the barn’s newborn goats, and learn all about the benefits of bottle-feeding babies!
Week 3: Nature Abound - July 22-26
This week is our most traditional week. Day 1 is hiking and foraging. Day 2 will be crafting. Day 3 is team-building day. We will start the day with activities that honor other's individuality within a community, strategize as a team, and collaboratively solve group obstacles. Day 4 will be garden exploration day. We will discuss types of plants, their uses, the pollination process, basic soil properties, and pest management; then, we will end the day with a garden walk, harvesting for community cooking, and nature art. Day 5 will be our water fun day, including three group games and a return to prior days’ favorites.
Week 4: Advanced Riders - July 29- August 2
This week will be open to our returning campers, Wildwood Acres students, and participants of other equine programs with a pre-camp riding evaluation. Content covered will be partially dictated by riding skill of interested participants, however, will be sure to reflect more advanced themes than beginner friendly weeks. This week will push campers to better understand and bond with their equine through individualized challenges both in the ring, and on the trails! Fun is inevitable!
Week 5: Farm Spun - August 5-9
This week, we will learn all about our most exotic farm- family members: Alpacas! There are so many cool things to learn about this member of the Camelid group, and we can’t wait to share it all with your camper! We will talk about their uses throughout culture and history, alpaca care 101, and basic handling skills. we will also work as a group to design an obstacle course for our rock star performer Bogey! We will also learn how shearing is accomplished, and process fiber from raw product into both yarn, and felted goodies!
Program Schedule
We begin our day with barn chores, break for snack, and then divide the remainder of our day into two segments of hands-on learning, with a lunch recess in the middle. During lunch break, campers are encouraged to utilize their free time by enjoying the swings, animals, and the serene setting of Wildwood Acres. They may choose to continue work on a craft, or to bond with other campers more leisurely: cooling off in the shade, playing tag, or other unstructured activities. They are always supervised by staff during this time, but we find that allowing some unstructured time in the day allows for blossoming of positive self-image, and benevolent social dynamics within the group.
Summer camp day schedule:
9:00: drop off
9:30: snack
10:00: animal care
11:00: theme activity
12:00: lunch
1:00: tack up
1:30: ride time/activity
3:00: day ends
Aftercare Program
Our program runs Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. We understand that many caregivers have work commitments that extend beyond our standard program hours. To accommodate diverse schedules, we are pleased to offer a convenient aftercare program for students of all ages.
The aftercare program provides two flexible pick-up times: 4:00pm and 5:00pm. This allows caregivers to choose the option that best suits their work schedule and family needs. During the aftercare hours, students engage in a variety of supervised activities, including outdoor play, arts and crafts, and quiet reading time.
The cost for the aftercare program is $10 per hour, per day. The aftercare program is billed separately from regular tcamp fees.
Our experienced staff members are dedicated to providing attentive care and ensuring that each child feels safe, supported, and engaged until they are picked up by their authorized guardian. If you have any questions about our aftercare program or would like to enroll your child, please select this option during registration.
