Tips and Tricks for Selecting & Operating a Summer Riding Program by Katherine O. Rizzo
It may seem a bit too early to be talking about summer with spring not even upon us, but when it comes to summer camps and summer riding programs, March is the unoffi cial dead- line for securing program spots, hiring staff and making sure all paperwork is fi led correctly. Navigating the world of camps as a parent can be a bit scary, and as a camp organizer, even more! But never fear! Whether you are an orga- nizer, parent, counselor or camper, T e Equiery is here to help!
What Parents Need to Know
When we asked camp directors what the biggest advice they would give parents looking to select the right camp for their children, the number one response we got was to make sure the camp is licensed by the state in which it is being run. “It is amazing to me how many parents forget to ask that question,” said Deana Tice of En-Tice- Ment Stables in Harwood adding,
“Parents should
be looking for a camp that is certifi ed through the state of Maryland.” Deana, who has been running a full time summer camp for about 20 years, also suggests parents ask about the years of experience the facility has for running a camp, and if their staff is certifi ed through any nationally recognized organizations. “Our teaching staff is all adults and all of them are CPR and First Aid certifi ed,” she stated. “Yes, we do have younger helpers on hand too but there is always an adult present.” Renee Terselic of the Potomac Horse Center
in North Potomac stated, “Safe- ty is number one. Make sure the camp is licensed and the stable has been inspected.” “I suppose it is most important for parents to ask about the pro- gram and instructor certifi cations,” said Gayle Mahaney of Waredaca in Laytonsville. “While there is much more to consider when making a camp choice, this is a good place to start.” Secondly, camp directors recommend that
parents take their children to the facility ahead of time and have a look around. “Go visit or even get a tour or a riding lesson fi rst,” said
Deana. Renee added, “Take an evaluation ride at the place you are considering or even several places and see if it is the right fi t before sign- ing up.” “First of all, go take a lesson fi rst to see if
“If they know how to ride already, make sure the camp offers what the kids want to do whether that is trail riding, eventing, etc.” - Karen Fulton, Full Moon Farm
your child even likes horses,” said Karen Ful- ton of Full Moon Farm in Finksburg. “Some parents send their kids to riding camp with- out ever having been on a horse before. But if they know how to ride already, make sure the camp off ers what the kids wants to do whether that is trail riding, eventing, etc.” Full Moon Farm, which began running camps since 1996, off ers sessions for all levels of riders as well as a specialty eventing camp week. “Look for a safe facility that has good rec- ommendations from friends and other parents. Take a look around and ask yourself, is the program safe, fun and educational?” Gayle said. Finally, fi nd out what else
the camp has to off er. Many camps like Full Moon Farm
and En-Tice-Ment hire schoolteachers as staff and directors who are able to bring in un- mounted educational programs as well as arts and crafts. Waredaca’s summer program fi rst started in
“Take a look around and ask yourself, is the program safe, fun and educational?”
- Gayle Mahaney, Waredaca
the early 1950s with an eight-week overnight camp that included canoeing, archery, horse- back riding and more. T ey transitioned into primarily a riding camp in the late 1980s and now, Waredaca has partnered with Bar-T Day Camp to off er a riding specialty program in addition to zip-lines, swimming, climbing and other outdoor activities. Maryland is fortunate
to have schools from Elementary to High School that have their own in-
early drop off or after care, or even snack breaks for younger campers and places to cool off in the heat of the summer.
What Camp Operators Need to Know
“Parents should be looking for a camp that is certifi ed through the state of Maryland.”
- Deane Tice, En-Tice-Ment Stables
As a camp director or facility owner, there is a lot to consider, from who your target market is, to whom you hire, to what paperwork is fi led when, and what horses you use for your program. All camps, even if they
are called “summer riding programs”
are regulated
through the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). According to DHMH, “a youth camp operator must obtain a certifi cate or letter of compliance from the Maryland Department of Health and Men- tal Hygiene, Center for Healthy Homes and Community services to operate a youth camp.” In order to obtain this certifi cate, the camp op- erator submits an application, created various plans called for in the application and signs up for one of DHMH’s annual free new directors training sessions. Once a new camp is licensed, there are certain forms and certifi cations that have to be renewed each year. All of these forms can be found on DHMH’s website by searching for “youth camp.” After all forms are complete, the selection of
house riding programs during the school year, some of which are open to the gen- eral public as well. During the summer, many of these schools, such as St. Timo- thy’s and Garrison Forest, off er camps to children beyond those enrolled in their school. Parents should also fi nd out what sort of extra accommodations the camp may off er, such as
“The State does have regula- tions as to how many adults per campers there has to be and what ages your staff can and cannot be.”
staff and horses needs to be thought out care- fully. “T e State does have regulations as to how many adults per campers there has to be and what ages your staff can and cannot be,” ex- plained Renee. Potomac Horse Center, which started running summer camps in the early 1980s, uses instructors from their year-round program to teach at camp. “All of our instructors have been to some type of equestrian school,” she said, add- ing,
“and our
- Renee Terselic, Potomac Horse Center
younger staff are people who take lessons here and work on the week- ends at the barn.”
Full Moon Farm also uses the same instruc- tors that are on staff year-round but uses junior
The above article is a quick summary of tips for selecting and operating a summer riding program brought to you by Equiery advertisers and staff For a complete list of Maryland Y
outh Camp requirements, please see
https://php.health.maryland.gov and search for “youth camp.
www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 ” In addition, The Equiery’s Lesson & Boarding Stable Directory contains a list of over 500 lesson stables, many of which may offer summer riding programs. FEBRUARY 2018 | THE EQUIERY | 17
continued... .
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
