Camp Friendship EQUESTRIAN PROGRAMS Palmyra, VA
The Programs Equestrian Program Girls, Ages 9-16 All Horses - All Day! Includes 2 lessons a day, plus other horse related activities, daily free swims and you LIVE at the Equestrian Center! One and two week sessions available. For the beginner to advanced rider. Half Day Riding Co-ed, Ages 7-16 A half day riding program designed for the beginner to intermediate rider who also wants to participate in general camp activities. 1-Hour Riding Co-ed, Ages 7-16 For the beginner rider who would like to choose riding as one of their activities. For Kids Who Love Horses
The Equestrian Program Ages 9-16 Daily Schedule (example) 7:15 8:00 9:00-11:00 11:00-11:30 11:30-12:30 12:30-1:45 1:45-2:45 2:45-3:30 3:30-5:30 5:30-6:30 6:30-7:20 7:45 8:45 9:30-10:00 Rise and Shine Breakfast Ride - Ring Lesson Snack Bar Theory Lesson Lunch Free Swim Cabin Time Ride - Fun Lesson Barn Chores Dinner Evening Activity Showers Lights Out The Equestrian Camp is a full day equestrian program for girls who LOVE horses. All levels and disciplines are welcome, from girls who have never been on a horse to those that have been riding their entire lives. Camp Friendship strongly believes that when developing the equestrians of tomorrow, safe horsemanship and care of the animal are just as important to teach as mounted skills. Riding campers ride twice daily between ring lessons which focus on the fundamentals of horse and rider, and afternoon fun lessons which encourage relaxed enjoyment of their equine friends. Fun lessons include trail rides, playing games on horseback, and even taking some of our water-loving horses to the river! No horse crazy girl s day would be complete without rolling up their sleeves and getting a little dirty! Ample time for grooming, tacking, untacking and barn chores are included in the day. Our campers take great pride in caring for their horses and ponies.
Mounted Lessons Campers are split into groups based on level and ability. One lesson is on rider control, position and safety and the other lesson is a fun ride while still incorporating the importance of safety. We believe that fundamentals are the backbone of good equitation. All riders from beginner through advanced work to sharpen their fundamentals every day through a routine of exercises. Fun Ride Examples: trail rides river rides bareback riding relay games on horseback cross country trail drill team performances lunge lessons
Theory Campers will participate in a theory lesson with their riding group each day. Theories are meant to provide hands on learning about horses and can cover a wide variety of topics. Any aspiring equestrian knows that there is always more to learn! Theory Examples: first aid for horses feed and nutrition horse management dental care/aging show preparation tack cleaning horse anatomy careers in horses grooming/bathing braiding/clipping trimming and shoeing
The Horses Camp Friendship s horses can be described as wonderful, friendly, versatile, personable and safe. Over 80 horses are owned and maintained by the camp year round. We feel this gives us an advantage because we know each horse very well. From 10 hands to 17 hands and from the newborn to the senior citizen, the variety of horses and ponies provides us with a wonderful selection of mounts. Each camper will complete a brief verbal and riding evaluation on the first day of camp. Campers are then matched with horses based on size, ability and personality. Once a horse has been assigned, that camper is responsible for its daily care including grooming, tacking and un-tacking and stall upkeep.
Barn Chores It is important to us that our campers learn the tremendous amount of care and responsibility that goes along with riding these wonderful animals. Campers are expected to muck and bed their horse s stall daily, as well as cleaning their horse s water, offering them hay, and sweeping in front of their stall.
The Facilities Over 80 horses are stabled in our state-of-the-art barn here at Camp Friendship Equestrian Center. We have 5 total riding rings which includes an indoor arena, large 300 x 180 show ring, and 3 additional outdoor rings varying in size, allowing us to meet the needs of all riding levels. The living quarters for the equestrian campers are located in the Equestrian Village directly across from the barn. Included is a large dormitory style lodge, as well as two cabins that house both our campers and riding staff. This is all surrounded by scenic fields, paddocks and miles of beautiful wooded riding trails.
Equipment Camp horses have their own tack that is fit specifically to them, so please do not bring your own tack. We also have plenty of grooming supplies and do not allow outside supplies to be used on camp horses. We do suggest that you bring plenty of riding pants and either riding boots, paddock boots, or hard soled shoes with a heel. Feel free to bring your own helmet if it meets ASTM standards. Full and half chaps are both allowed, but must be worn over long pants, not shorts. For the horse show campers may show in full show attire or a polo shirt and riding pants.
Riding Staff A staff of five run the year-round program at Friendship Stables. Twenty summer staff are recruited from equestrian teams and colleges from all over the United States and abroad. Friendship Stables strives not only to have counselors with riding and teaching expertise, but who also love children. As the staff comes together each summer, they are trained in safety procedures and instructional techniques specific to this program. Skye Ackenbom Camp Director/Equestrian Director Camp Director, Skye Ackenbom, is the daughter of founder Chuck Ackenbom. She grew up at Camp Friendship as a camper, counselor, and riding instructor. As a junior, she rode at local and rated levels, showing competitively all over the country. After graduating with a Bachelor s Degree in Psychology, Skye returned to Camp Friendship as a director in 2004 and currently oversees the Equestrian program and works with our team of directors to manage the day-to-day operations of Camp and its year-round staff. Skye brings a unique perspective to Camp leadership since she spent all of her childhood here and feels so lucky to still live in such a wonderful place. Skye loves the outdoors, animals, and working with children and is excited to continue the legacy her father built for another 50 years to come!
Swimming Equestrian campers participate in an hour-long free swim each afternoon to give the kids and the horses a break from the heat. Free Swims take place at Friendship Lake which is known for it s exciting elements like the rope swing, zip line and slide, or at our Jr. Olympic size pool. Both are just a short walk from the Equestrian Center. When not with the horses...
Meals Campers receive 3 well-balanced, kid-friendly meals a day at the camp dining hall which is just a short walk from the equestrian facilities. There is a salad bar and vegetarian option served with each meal. Evening Activities Every evening campers participate in a group activity involving all of riding camp and sometimes other villages in camp. Examples: slip and slide talent show camp dance campfire hayride movies horse costume contest pool party It is important that equestrian campers spend as much time with the horses as possible, but also that they receive a fun, well-rounded camp experience offering them the chance to make life-long friends.
Two-WeekSessions Weekends On Saturdays campers are given the opportunity to practice skills such as braiding, bathing and tack cleaning that are included in preparing for a horse show. On the last Friday of every 2 week session, equestrian campers participate in the camp show. Riders show at their level, and friends and family are encouraged to come and watch. The show gives campers a way to showcase the skills they have learned at camp with their particular horse. Although it is a competition, the focus of the show is for each rider and horse to have a successful show experience and accomplish their own personal goals. The Invaluable Sundays Sundays are rest days for both the horses and campers. The girls spend their day swimming, participating in other general camp activities and relaxing in the village. Equestrian Camp programs are designed to foster responsible care and treatment of horses and build friendships amongst campers while they learn and grow together. A Love For Horses Can Help Foster Gift ofcaring andgiving
Half Day Riding Ages 9-16 co-ed Daily Schedule (example) 7:15 8:00 9:00 12:30 1:30 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:30 Rise and Shine Breakfast Half Day Riding Lunch Free Swim Cabin Time Elective Activity Elective Activity Dinner Evening Activity Showers Lights Out Half Day Riding was designed for campers at the beginner to intermediate level that enjoy riding, but also want to participate in general camp activities. Campers live in our Junior or Senior Villages, and spend their morning at the Equestrian Center. This program is a great introduction to Equestrian Camp. Their half day at the barn is spent participating in riding lessons, trail rides, and river rides with the horses. In addition, they also learn fundamental horsemanship skills through hands on theory lessons, grooming and tacking their horses, and participating in caring for the horses. Half day riding campers must wear long pants and hard soled shoes with a heel to ride. We do supply boots and helmets, but encourage you to bring your own if you have them. All helmets must be ASTM approved.
1-Hour Riding Campers must wear long pants and hard soled shoes with a heel to ride. We do supply boots and helmets, but encourage you to bring your own if you have them. All helmets must be ASTM approved. Ages 7-16 co-ed For general campers who would like to choose riding as one of their activities. This program is designed to introduce campers to horseback riding and teach them the basic fundamentals. They begin the session by practicing techniques in the structure of ring lessons. Once these are mastered, campers participate in trail rides and enjoy our ever popular river rides with the horses, weather permitting.
Off Season Programs We offer Fall and Spring riding weekends each year. These are designed to give campers a little taste of what riding camp is like and can be a great first time away from home experience. We offer Girls Weekends, and Mother/Daughter Weekends. Dates can be found online at www.campfriendship.com or you can call 434.589.8950 to request more information. We also offer horseback riding retreats. Information can be found online at www.virginiacampretreats.com Our local lesson program runs from after Labor Day through Memorial Day. Call 434.589.3878 for more information.
PO Box 145 Palmyra, Virginia 22963 434.589.8950 email: info@campfriendship.com www.campfriendship.com For any additional information or questions on these and other programs, please contact the Camp Office. Directions From Washington, D.C.: Travel south on Interstate 95 to Fredricksburg, Virginia. Take Route 3 west to Wilderness and turn left onto Route 20 at the light. Go 23 miles to Orange and turn left onto Route 15. *Proceed south on Route 15 Through Gordonsville and Zion Crossroads toward Palmyra. Turn right at the Camp Friendship sign, 7 miles south of Zion Crossroads. Go about 20 yards and bear to the left immediately, follow the camp road through Laurel Ridge Golf Course. Alternate route from Washington: Take I-66 west to Route 29 south at Gainesville. Go south on Route 29 to Culpeper. At Culpeper, take Route 15 South and follow the above directions.* From Charlottesville, Virginia: Go east on Interstate 64 toward Richmond. At the Palmyra-Gordonsville Exit 136, take Route 15, following the above directions.*
Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to ride in breeches and boots? Designed for comfort and practical use, riding pants and boots are best, however many girls bring chaps and long pants. No shorts under chaps are allowed. May I bring my own horse or pony? We no longer have the room to accommodate outside horses. Do I have to be an accomplished rider to come to camp? The Friendship Equestrian Program is designed to give everyone who comes the most positive experience possible. From the beginner through the advanced rider, there is a program designed for you. Who are the instructors? Instructors are selected from university and college programs throughout the United States and from abroad, providing an interesting balance and sharing of equine world cultures. Is there a show for 1 week equestrian sessions? No, only 2 week sessions offer a show. Can I choose between a horse and pony? You may request a horse or pony, however we must match riders with mounts according to size so we do not guarantee that you will get your preference. Do I need all of the correct show clothes? No, if you have them then it is best to wear them, but polo shirts and riding pants are fine. The judge does not deduct points for attire. May I bring my own tack and grooming supplies? No, each camp horse has tack especially fit to them, and we do not allow outside supplies to be used on camp horses. Do you take CIT s in riding camp? We occasionally have girls that want to be counselors in training specifically for riding camp. For more information and/or an application please contact the camp office.
Something for everyone! Junior Village ages 7-12 Senior Village ages 13-16 Equestrian Camp ages 9-16 Camp Friendship Rt. 15 Palmyra, VA 22963 www.campfriendship.com 434.589.8950