As the instructors for this year's summer camp, we wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s summer camp a success!
Every summer we invite kids from the community, as well as kids already enrolled in our riding program to come spend a week at Hearts to participate in a horse-themed summer camp. We also have groups from Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara and CALM participate. Our campers get to develop friendships with our amazing horses and volunteers while learning about horse science, horsemanship, equine-facilitated learning activities and basic riding skills.
One of our most popular activities is taking our campers out to explore the trails at Hearts. Our trail rides give the riders an opportunity to experience a truly natural environment, unaltered by man. Campers watch as valley quail and cottontail rabbits scurry across the trail into wild growing quail bush and blooming globe mallow. Red tailed hawks roost in the Oak tree canopies and campers hug their horses as they duck under overhanging branches. The experience allows the riders to connect with their horses in a relaxing but stimulating environment. They must use brain and brawn to navigate through the uneven canyon terrain, which leaves them feeling accomplished and confident. It’s truly an exciting adventure!
It’s a treat for us to be able to share our love and knowledge of horses with kids who are equally passionate about these amazing animals. Some of our campers even got to have their first experience on horseback with us! We are so thankful for all of our volunteers, too, for helping to make their experience positive and fun. Our dedicated volunteers braved the recent heat waves and we are very grateful for their support and for developing mentoring friendships with our campers.
Thank you everyone for another amazing summer camp. Don’t forget to give our wonderful horses some extra love, they worked their cabooses off and we couldn’t have done it without them!
Sincerely,
Kari Oslie & Lily Garcia
PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors
